We are reaching out on behalf of someone in our community who has been through more than most and is finally on the path to turning his life around.

Wade was born in Bakersfield and has spent most of his life in Tulare and Visalia. He is a father and grandfather who once lived a stable and successful life. He ran his own pressure washing business and had contracts with major companies, including cleaning gas stations and parking lots. At one point, he had a home, a steady income, and was surrounded by family.

Unfortunately, like many others, Wade fell into addiction and lost everything. His home, his business, and his connection with loved ones were all affected. Over time, he lost nearly all of his family relationships and found himself completely alone, eventually living on the streets with only a few belongings.

After everything he has been through, the only family he has left today is his daughter and his two granddaughters, who mean everything to him.

Despite everything he went through, Wade never completely lost who he was at heart. Recently, he made the decision to get clean and he followed through. He committed himself to recovery, got sober and has stayed clean.

Since then, he has been working hard every single day to rebuild his life. He began living at a local SafeCamp which was living in a tent for 2+ years and quickly became someone they could rely on. He helped with maintenance, cleaning, and anything else that needed to be done. His dedication and work ethic stood out so much that, after proving he was sober, he was offered a job there.

During this time, Wade was even featured in a local interview about the shelter. His story and voice helped bring attention to the situation, and as a result, the shelter received continued support and funding, allowing it to stay open and continue helping others in need.

Even outside of work, Wade continues to give back. He spends his time walking through his neighborhood with tools in hand, helping clean yards, fix things, and improve the area often without asking for anything in return.

One moment that truly shows his character is when he traveled nearly 15 miles across town on an electric scooter—his only means of transportation—to attend his granddaughter’s first baseball game. The journey took about an hour and 40 minutes, showing his dedication to being there for his family.

Through everything, one thing that has never left his side is his dog, Neptune. From the time Wade had a home and a business to when he had nothing at all, Neptune has stayed with him through it all. That bond has been a constant source of loyalty and comfort during his lowest and highest moments.

Right now, Wade is doing everything right, but he is still facing challenges. He has limited transportation, is working to regain stability, and is at risk of losing a storage unit that contains important personal items from his past, including belongings tied to his family and childhood. A close friend helped him temporarily by covering the cost, but he now needs support to repay that help and secure time to recover those items.

We are hoping to raise funds to help Wade take the next step in his recovery and independence. The goal is to help him get reliable transportation and the basic equipment needed to get back up and running—whether that’s pressure washing, yard work, or other jobs he can take on to support himself and others. Funds will also help him cover essential needs as he transitions forward including securing his storage unit to protect important personal belongings, helping repay a close friend who supported him during a difficult time, and covering essential needs, including care for his dog.

As someone who lives nearby, I’ve seen firsthand the kind of person Wade is. Anytime he sees me outside on my porch, he comes over with a smile and asks if there’s anything I need help with. Whether it’s fixing something, cleaning up, or just checking in, he’s always willing to give even when he has very little himself. It’s the kind of kindness that makes you wish you could do more for him.

Wade has already proven that he is willing to do the work he just needs a real second chance.

Any support, whether through a donation or simply sharing this, would mean more than words can express. Thank you for taking the time to read his story and be part of helping someone rebuild their life.