In this feature, Club Founder and Training Officer John Hawkins introduces you to people you see every day, but you might not know who they are. The Club reminds you that we all have names and our stories to tell.
Meet Joshua Jones
By John Hawkins
Club Founder and Club Education and Training Officer
In the heart of Los Angeles, a young man sits on the pavement, his eyes full of resilience despite the hardships he’s faced. Joshua Jones, 30, was born and raised just a few miles from where we met. His journey, from high school struggles to homelessness, is a stark reminder of how quickly life can change.
Joshua attended Miguel Contreras Learning Complex (high school), which sits right behind where this interview took place, but never completed his diploma. “I only needed 15 more credits, three classes,” he recalls. His teenage years were turbulent—after stealing a classmate’s phone, his mother transferred him to an adult school. “It was good for a minute, but then I stopped going and wasn’t doing the work.” The lack of structure led him further from education and into the workforce at a young age.
After leaving school, Joshua found employment at Pizza Planet, a job he held for a year before being let go unexpectedly. From there, he dabbled in various trades—low riders, solar panels and construction. However, none of these jobs provided lasting security.
Losing Everything
Joshua’s life took a devastating turn in the past year. Within five months, he lost both of his parents. He had been living with them in a rented four-bedroom, two-bathroom home until he was forced out. “I walked by my old house today,” he says, his voice heavy. “They were tossing my stuff out of the fifth-floor window into a junk truck.” To make matters worse, his two cars were impounded for allegedly being “illegally parked” outside the home. With nowhere to turn, he found himself on the streets in December.
Now, Joshua stays in an area with others who have been homeless for a while. “I have a habit of always trying to help people. If I have extra, I share,” he says. Despite his own misfortunes, he remains generous and hopeful.
A Father’s Determination
Joshua’s biggest motivation is his family. He has been married for eight and a half years to his wife, Jocelyn, and they have two children—eight-year-old Genesis and two-year-old Josiah. “Right now, the kids are with their mom,” he shares. Though he has a twin brother and two sisters, he says they aren’t close, and he keeps mostly to himself.
When asked about his five-year plan, Joshua is clear: “Definitely not on the street. I want to be with my family.” He is currently working with Pathways, a program that has referred him for transitional housing. He’s waiting for the next steps.
Fighting Against the Odds
Joshua insists that drugs and alcohol are not his downfall. “No, not really. I just smoke a lot of weed.” His main struggle, he says, is avoiding the influences of the streets. “There are people here who have been homeless for a long time, and they’ve gotten comfortable with it. That makes it easy for me to become too comfortable, and then I don’t want to do anything.”
His first step to recovery? “Getting focused,” he says firmly.
Hopes and Dreams
Despite his current situation, Joshua remains hopeful. His favorite movie, Silver Bullet, reflects his love for suspense, while his music taste leans toward rap, especially artist Lil Durk. When asked about his three wishes, his answers are simple but powerful: “To be stable financially, to have no worries, and to live for a long time.”
Joshua’s story is one of hardship, but also of hope. His determination to turn his life around and be there for his family is evident. With the right support and opportunities, he stands a chance of reclaiming the stability he lost. For now, he waits, holding onto positivity and the belief that better days are ahead.
John Hawkins wished Joshua well and provided support.
The interview was conducted by Club Founder John Hawkins on Jan. 9, 2025 along
West Second Street downtown. The contents described here were transcribed from a
video recording.
People We See: Meet Malcolm Ashley and his girlfriend Sarah Espiritu
In this feature, Club Founder and Club Education and Training Officer John Hawkins introduces you to people you see every day, but you might not know who they are. The Club reminds you that we all have names and stories to tell.
