From hard knocks to helping those experiencing homelessness, Gabriel Silva found his passion

Gabriel Silva is a Senior Site Lead for Mercy House working in the city Bridge Shelter.

He grew up in a single parent home and at the age of 5, his father passed away and left his mother to raise eight children.

“Mama did her best but I decided to take the road of hard knocks which lasted into my 30s,” Silva said. “Once I came to my senses I knew I wanted to share my experiences and help others find their way back home if you will.”

In 2015, he began to volunteer with the Salvation Army and eventually was offered a position as an Outreach Coordinator working with the homeless community. He found his passion.

After two years with the Salvation Army, he was hired by City Net to help with the project of relocating people from the Santa Ana River Trail as well as the Santa Ana Civic Center.

Silva has assisted with relocating people from homeless encampments into emergency shelters, transitional living, permanent housing, and connecting them to mental health services, and drug rehabilitation programs.

He later learned about Mercy House and was hired by the nonprofit in November of 2018. He started as a site lead at a new shelter in Santa Ana and then moved to work on the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter in March

“All of my past experiences have brought me to this point and have prepared me for the service here at the Costa Mesa Bridge Shelter in helping the homeless find their way home,” he said. “I am very grateful for this opportunity and I look forward to continuing this service with Mercy House and the City of Costa Mesa.”