D.E.  is  a Los Angeles native. He grew up in the Alta Dena area of LA, where only a little over a year ago, he was thriving in life – going to school and working in sales and account management at a luxury car dealership in Beverly Hills, and also taking business courses at East LA Community College. 

Sadly, the LA fires of 2025 destroyed his family’s home which was in their lineage for 30 years. 

The fires displaced D.E., his family, and caused him to lose his job and drop out of school. With the upheaval of nowhere to go, professional business attire and belongings burned, he went into pure survival mode with no way to support himself. 

“Having to start from scratch is hard. I have always done everything on my own,” said D.S.

He bounced around at various friends’ places and felt the fearful prospects of homelessness and being on the streets increase daily. 

Fortunately within four months of the LA fires’ devastation, a friend from high school reached out to see how D.E. was getting by. It was this friend that let him know about Seed House Project.

During the nonprofit organization’s two-year residential program, all of members’ basic needs are met, meals are provided; and the organization offers life skills training, mental health services, financial literacy, college support, and an array of personal development activities to uplift members to lives of personal success. 

“I really appreciate the Seed House Project and the stability it has provided me. I am rebuilding my life brick by brick,” said D.E. 

D.E. is engaging in Seed House Project’s Life School approach, which reimagines what education was meant to be: young people don’t memorize facts but acquire the tools to live, lead and thrive. 

It is a circle of belonging where resilience becomes wisdom, creativity becomes leadership and learning becomes liberation.

D.E. is now working full-time and was able to purchase a new car, which aids in his ability to drive to and from work each day. 

With a job in security and executive protection, D.E. works with high profile individuals, and also gets access to esteemed events like concerts and NBA games. He engages in customer service skills, relationships building, and logistical planning. In Los Angeles with the entertainment industry in the epicenter of the city, this job has long-term sustainability and good pay.

“I am happy to be working,” said D.E. “This is a major step in building my life.”

D.E.’s goals for the future include getting his EMT license where he can pursue his career in the fire department or federal government. 

**Seed House Project is so proud of you, D.E.! — Keep growing, blooming, and pursuing your dreams!