"My name is Carlos Rodriguez and I’m here to share my story of how I came to Memphis and how my story has developed over the years. My first journey in Memphis began in 1996 when I came to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital to get treated for acute lymphoblastic leukemia. I was here for two and a half years, and after that, we decided to return to my home country of El Salvador. Fast forward to 2003, we decided to make the move back to Memphis because we were trying to figure out where we would feel like we were at home and we had made some great connections in Memphis during the time when I was in treatment. So we connected with one of the families that allowed us to stay with them for about six months that we actually met through St. Jude and we stayed with them. It was a struggle for my mom, being a single mother and trying to figure things out, we were in a new place, we knew people but not a lot. So, at one point she was able together up enough money to be able to get an apartment for the two of us. We walked in, and it was probably the most happiest time of her life. We walked in and we saw the fresh paint, the new carpet and I could just see the excitement in her face. And we actually made a call to one of the church members, or a few of the church members that we went to church with when I was at St. Jude and we were like, “We need help moving.” And they were like, “Well, how many trucks do we need to bring?” And we were like, “Well, all we have is two suitcases.” “Okay, well you guys hold on, we’ll see you there.” So we’re just kinda taking in the sights, looking at the new apartment, kinda seeing where we’re gonna start our journey here in Memphis and then we walk outside, and we see three trucks pull up with a bed, a TV, microwave, a couch, a bed for my mom. You know, all the essentials that we needed for us to begin our life here in Memphis. And that, I think, really warmed my mom’s heart, but also warmed my heart to see how that part of the community came together to kinda give us the start that we needed here in Memphis. Now, I’ve been here for almost 20 years in Memphis, and actually have the opportunity to own my own home. And it’s just a great opportunity to have found a family and a home that we needed here in Memphis. It’s a great place, and I think it’s often overlooked because of all the bad things that happen but Memphis is my home, and I love it, and it’s been a great journey so far. My mom’s thriving, I’m thriving. It was the right place for us to be."