Roy Juarez
An advocate for youth and higher education
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Roy Juarez, Jr. shares his story of how he and his siblings became homeless and how he turned his life around, becoming a college graduate and business owner
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Roy Juarez, Jr. founded America’s Business Leaders – a human development company in 2005 when he was a freshman at Hardin-Simmons University. With a dream to inspire youth and strengthen families, Juarez began sharing his turbulent history to positively touch the lives of youth, educators, and parents.
Juarez’s story and work have garnered national media attention on outlets such as CNN and Chicken Soup for the Soul. Most recently, Juarez was able to partner with Ford Motor Company Fund in their Ford Driving Dreams Tour to inspire students to graduate on time and pursue a higher education. In addition, Juarez’ has been reported by many local and online publications.
Born and raised on the south side of San Antonio, Texas, Juarez faced situations and obstacles that could have turned him into a negative statistic. But he found a way to overcome those challenges. At the age of fourteen, Juarez was a high school drop-out and one of the hundreds of homeless youth on the streets of San Antonio. He carried with him only a duffle bag of personal items that he called a home. He moved from house to house to survive. Despite all that was working against him, he knew there was more to life which is why he never lost sight of his dreams.
As a young entrepreneur, Juarez has made a successful career lecturing to thousands, both nationally and internationally. Once a homeless teenager, Juarez fought the battle to leave the streets only to return to them after becoming a graduate of Hardin-Simmons University. In May 2012 Juarez completed his first national tour; The Homeless by Choice Tour. What began as a 6 month journey, driving from Los Angeles, CA to Jacksonville, FL became a two and a half year journey of circling the entire country with a goal to inspire America’s youth to never give up on life, their dreams, and understand the value of a higher education. Juarez spoke “pro-bono” to over 500 educational facilities, shelters, organizations, and companies. With no grants or sponsors, Juarez decided in order to make this possible he had to keep costs low. He chose to live homeless once again but time he was “Homeless by Choice”! As he couch surfed” the country he was able to share his message with over 100,000 individuals.
Juarez serves as a role model for thousands of individuals through his work as an advocate for youth and higher education. His life experience inspires them to forgive, chase their dreams, and be the change they wish to see!
An interactive presentation that tells the story of a young man’s journey from being a homelessness teenager to a college graduate and business owner. This program will inspire and empower each participant through a series of powerful and compelling stories of the struggle to survive and not give up on your dreams. MyBag, MyHome is a model for personal change, a framework of life skills and a journey that will never be forgotten! Hear and learn what the power of dreaming, mentoring and the desire for a better life can bring.
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