Carlos Chaparro had a secret. Although he had all the trappings of success – a full-time job at a bank and a home of his own – he spent a lot of energy hiding his past. In and out of foster care for most of his childhood, Carlos thought he found salvation when his biological father wanted to take him in, creating a household of 6 children and 2 adults. Money was tight, which led to the eviction from their Stamford apartment. At the tender age of 15, Carlos went to live in a shelter and kept his homelessness a secret.
He hid this from his friends at school. This would be difficult for most people, but Carlos 
had learned throughout his foster care years how to pretend that everything was perfectly normal. While most teens would agonize over what clothes to wear, Carols had the added burden of how to make sense that he was once again adrift without a home. At 19, he was out on his own, working and supporting himself, glad to be away from the homeless lifestyle.
One day his work brought him around the corner from Inspirica, the shelter where he spent his nights. He felt an unexpected urge to go inside and express his appreciation for having a warm place to sleep for all those years. And suddenly, Carlos found himself on a journey he had not expected.
Once inside the shelter, the staff greeted Carlos with open arms. They asked him to share his story of hope with some of their homeless clients. Then he was asked to speak with a few others and an advocate was born. Carlos began speaking in front of a small group of 30 and now talks in front of thousands of VIPs, CEOs, and politicians up and down the Connecticut Gold Coast. As he shares his story, he inspires many – from the homeless that are looking for encouragement to advocates that truly want to have an impact on the quest to end homelessness.
Carlos often reflects about his childhood; he felt the injustice of constantly being moved in and out of foster care and homelessness. But now he realizes that he wasn’t picked on but being molded for this chance to make a difference in the world. Advocating for the homeless has become his passion. He is no longer keeping the secret of his past but using it to make a difference.
Although his fundraising efforts have been successful, Carlos believes he has so much more to learn in order to make a difference. Carlos knew that he needed to go to college to get the tools necessary to move forward. After hearing about Albertus Magnus College from multiple people, he enrolled.
Once matriculated, Carlos discovered more than education. Members of the Albertus Magnus community, including Dean Annette Bosley-Boyce, have showed up at his speaking engagements. One of the most memorable nights of his life was when he looked out into a sea of unknown faces at a speaking event only to notice members from Albertus there supporting him. He testifies, “At Albertus Magus I have support like I have never had before.”
Carlos continues to be an advocate at all times. Even during his time on campus, he is working with local businesses to off-set the cost of college for their employees. He often sacrifices social opportunities to focus on his studies and advocacy but feels that it is worth it. Carlos reflects, “It is a small sacrifice when I am thinking about the long-term. My definition of success is to take my education and feel like I have helped someone. It is how I am going to be a part of someone else’s success story. I will be a success when I am able to contribute more to society.”
Submitted by Annette Bosley-Boyce