Dear RCH Family,

My name is Vanessa, and the journey that led me to create RCH Foundation is deeply rooted in love, faith, and resilience. I founded this foundation in honor of my late father, Raymond Charles Hershel—a man whose life was a complex tapestry of struggles and triumphs. Like many, he was absent during much of my early years, caught in a cycle of incarceration and responsibilities he could not fulfill.

Yet my mother, with unwavering grace, never spoke ill of him. She encouraged me to welcome him back into my life whenever he was ready. In my early thirties, my father reached out after his release, asking to stay with me in Dallas, Texas. I was apprehensive; we had never been close. But I recognized the opportunity for healing and connection, and I opened my home to him. That choice blossomed into a beautiful relationship, making it feel as though he had always been a part of my life.

In 2017, I received the heart-wrenching news: my father had been diagnosed with cancer. He had kept this battle hidden, and I first learned of it when his doctor called me as his emergency contact. Balancing my career as a Software Consultant—traveling across the country weekly—while supporting my father through this fight was a tremendous challenge. Despite our efforts, cancer claimed his life in 2019.

Through this experience, I discovered a profound truth: while my father faced many struggles, he ultimately sought to change his life for the better, supported by those who believed in him. This truth became the heart of RCH Foundation’s mission: to empower the community and restore faith in humanity.

As I fought alongside my father, I also reflected on my long-standing work against homelessness—a cause I have championed for over a decade. My father experienced transitional homelessness, a form that is often overlooked. Many individuals face this hidden struggle due to life-altering events like job loss, illness, or incarceration.

At RCH Foundation, we are committed to addressing all forms of homelessness—Hidden, Transitional, and Episodic—recognizing that these challenges can eventually lead to Chronic homelessness if left unaddressed. Many people are just one paycheck away from crisis, and our work aims to intervene before that tipping point.

We are currently collaborating with shelters and community organizations, and our dream is to establish our own facility—a welcoming space for individuals at all stages of homelessness. We also envision using mobile units, like buses, to reach those unable to access traditional services, bringing hope and support directly into their neighborhoods.

The path ahead is long, but with faith, determination, and the support of compassionate individuals like you, we believe we can make this vision a reality. Together, we can create a brighter, more hopeful future for those in need.

With gratitude and hope,
Vanessa