From Surviving to Thriving: Pedro Finds a New Beginning at the Central YMCA Residence
For years, Pedro Vicente struggled with addiction, alcohol abuse, and homelessness. After surviving on the streets, he knew he needed to change his life. In the summer of 2025, Pedro moved to Delaware and found a safe place to begin again at the Central YMCA Residence in Wilmington.
Pedro embraced the support of YMCA staff while taking responsibility for his own recovery and future. He consistently attended appointments, volunteered in the community, and worked toward building a more stable life. Staff saw his determination firsthand. Pedro was not content to remain where he was; he was committed to growing.
“You have to do it yourself,” Pedro says. “I can’t go back to what I was before because I was miserable.”
The Central YMCA Residence provided Pedro with more than a place to stay. It gave him stability, support, and a team that believed in him while he worked toward independence. Staff helped him identify the steps he needed to take, but Pedro had the determination to take them.
One year after arriving at the Central YMCA Residence, Pedro had a home of his own just blocks away. He now spends his time watching movies, painting, and enjoying the simple comfort of looking out the window of his own home, a dramatic change from the days he spent sleeping behind garages, in cars, and in the back of a truck.
“Wow, what a difference,” Pedro says. “Fantastic. I feel good inside.”
Pedro’s journey shows the impact that supportive housing, personal determination, and a caring community can have. Today, he remains connected to the Central YMCA and encourages others who may be struggling to seek help.
“You’re not alone, and you can do it,” Pedro says. “You have to want different. You have to want to get out of where you are. This place is here for you to make it better for yourself.”
As Delaware faces a growing housing crisis, the Central YMCA Residence helps approximately 180 men each year find stability, support, and a path toward greater independence. For Pedro, that support helped him move from surviving on the streets to thriving in a home of his own.
To learn more or to contribute to the YMCA of Delaware, head here.