Member Spotlight: Sam’s Story

“Being homeless opened my eyes. I’ve always been empathetic with people, but now I truly understand.”

Sam’s story is one of resilience, perseverance, and overcoming immense odds. But it is also a story of how a single person can make a difference in the direction a person’s life takes. Born in Hong Kong, Sam faced tragedy early in life when his mother passed away at the age of ten. Three years later, his father remarried, and Sam’s new stepmother did not want him around. At just thirteen, Sam was sent alone to the United States with only $50 and a distant relative’s address in New York City.

Arriving in a new country where he didn’t speak the language, Sam was thrust into survival mode. He enrolled in school but struggled because there were no ESL programs, leaving him to sit silently in the classroom, unable to understand a word being said. On top of school, Sam worked odd jobs to support himself, picking up trash and working in fast food while renting a tiny room that he painted black to make it feel like his own space.

Despite the challenges, Sam’s grit and talent began to shine. He found solace in art classes, specifically Mrs. Wango’s. “I was the only one listening to and doing whatever our teacher told me to do. She liked me because I was the only boy who would do things.” 

Mrs. Wango heard about a drawing program for underprivileged kids in the city. She helped Sam enroll at the age of 14, the youngest kid in the program. His persistence and artistic talent earned him a scholarship to the School of Visual Arts, where his passion for graphic design grew. After learning tools of the trade, Sam worked his way up in the field of graphic design, eventually becoming a successful creative director in advertising. He even started his own direct marketing company.

His career took him around the world—first to Europe, where he lived in Sweden and London, and eventually to China. There, he spent 15 years working in marketing and design. But his fortunes took a devastating turn when he was betrayed by his boss, who left him saddled with a debt that wasn’t his. For years, Sam was trapped in China, living under a travel ban and struggling to pay off the debt. This period left him isolated, depressed, and, at points, suicidal. But again, he persevered.

After securing the funds needed to pay off the debt, Sam was finally able to leave China. In 2016, he returned to the U.S. with nothing.

Once back in Los Angeles, a friend from Venice offered him a room in his house. For about a year, Sam lived there, grateful for the temporary stability. But when his friend retired, sold his house, and relocated to Minnesota, Sam was left without a home again. With no family or resources, he ended up living in his car for several years.

“I used to say, we’re all one paycheck away from being homeless, and now I really know that’s true”, Sam reflects on his time on the street, “Being homeless opened my eyes. I’ve always been empathetic with people, but now I truly understand.”

Sam’s time living out of his car was an eye-opening experience. He described how every day was a struggle for survival: finding safe places to park without being chased away, discovering where public bathrooms were, and stretching his SNAP benefits to eat. “I know what it is like to be homeless,” Sam says. “You spend your entire life in survival mode.”

In 2018, things began to turn around when Sam was connected to three key organizations: the Venice Family Clinic, the Edelman Westside Mental Health Center, and Step Up. Step Up’s Lead Life Skills Coordinator, Steve, played a pivotal role in getting Sam into stable housing. Through Step Up, Sam received mental health services, food from the pantry, and eventually a permanent home. Today, Sam is no longer living in survival mode but is grateful for the support that got him through his darkest times.

“I count my blessings all the time,” he says, “Step Up has been a lifeline for me.”

Sam remains grateful for Step Up’s unwavering support and the stability it has given him. After years of hardship, he now looks forward to a future filled with hope, community, and a place to call home.


Sam’s story of recovery is made possible in part thanks to the programs and services supported by people like you. To help bring more individuals like Sam, make a donation today