RB’s story begins not in a single place, but in many—a rotating cycle of shelters, borrowed couches, and short-term stays that marked the early years of his life. Homeless and unhoused, he lived in transition, never quite settling, until 2022, when he found a home at BHG. It wasn’t just a roof over his head—it was the first time he felt some sense of grounding.
He had already experienced the shuffle of change, attending one high school in Oakland and another in San Francisco. Each move, each new classroom, was a chance to start over—but also a reminder of how little control he had over his life. When he arrived at BHG, he didn’t know what he was passionate about or where his future was headed.
One afternoon, driven by curiosity more than purpose, RB walked into the community room at BHG. He wasn’t looking for anything specific—just something to do. That’s when he noticed a flyer for an Intro to Piano class. With nothing to lose, he signed up. From March to July 2023, he learned not just how to play piano structurally, but that he had a gift. His fingers seemed to naturally find the melody. What started as a class quickly became a calling.
RB began practicing for hours on his own, returning to the community room whenever it was open. Music became his escape, his therapy, and his motivation. But academics still loomed, and science courses in particular threatened his chances at graduating. He reached out for tutoring and worked relentlessly, lifting his GPA step by step until he met the standards for college acceptance.
In 2024, RB graduated high school—a milestone that once seemed unreachable. Still unsure of his next step, he took a semester off to reflect. In January 2025, he enrolled in City College, exploring plumbing as a trade, continuing piano, and even challenging himself with a beginner Japanese class. For the first time, RB wasn’t just surviving—he was discovering who he could be.
That spring, the Executive Director of, Providence Foundation of San Francisco, extended a special invitation: attend the NAACP Gala. RB accepted, unsure of what to expect. On the way, he passed a familiar doorway—it was Providence’s shelter. “Wow, this looks really familiar,” he said, pausing. He couldn’t remember when or how long he had stayed there, but something about it resonated deeply.
At the gala, RB was fitted for his first tuxedo. Though he tried to play it cool, there was no hiding the quiet pride in his posture. He walked into the ballroom unsure, but walked out with a clearer sense of the world he could belong to. He reconnected with old classmates, felt inspired by the speakers, and saw himself reflected in the possibilities.
RB’s journey is still unfolding. But what once was a life defined by instability is now shaped by resilience, creativity, and vision. He has learned to build, to play, to dream—and most importantly, to believe that his path, however uncertain, leads forward.