“Growing up in the Bronx, New York, Carlos began spending more time in environments that would slowly shape the direction of his life. From the outside, he seemed like just another young man moving through everyday routines, but privately he was struggling with depression and a growing sense of hopelessness. As he experimented with drugs and alcohol, it became less about addiction and more about trying to escape what he was feeling inside. By the time he was 18, those choices led him to Rikers Island, where he served two years. What felt like the lowest point of his life would later become the start of a path toward reflection, change, and redemption.

Carlos’ aunt had heard about Adult & Teen Challenge through her church on Long Island and faithfully shared the message of Christ with him for years. Though he never wanted to listen, everything changed when he reached his lowest point. Crippled by depression and desperate for hope, Carlos called his aunt and told her he was willing to try anything—even Christ—if it could lift the heaviness he carried. She told him about Adult & Teen Challenge, and Carlos agreed to give it a chance. On July 17, 2017, Carlos entered the program. For months, he felt like nothing was changing, but he remained faithful and committed to the process. Six months into the program, he joined a missions trip to Puerto Rico to serve those impacted by Hurricane Maria. After climbing a mountain with the team and spending the day serving others, Carlos reached the summit and sensed God speaking to his heart: “Don’t give up before the blessings come.” He held onto that promise, and from that day forward, everything began to change.

Carlos graduated from the program in July 2018 and embraced God’s calling on his life. He later met his wife Morgan, also a graduate of ATC, on a missions trip, and together they built a Christ-centered family.They married in July 2021 and are blessed with their son, Levi, and are joyfully expecting a daughter in December 2026. Following graduation, Carlos faithfully served at Long Island Adult & Teen Challenge. At the end of 2022, he was called to Syracuse to serve as Program Supervisor, and in late 2024 he was asked to lead the Buffalo Men’s Center where today he serves as the Associate Director with Morgan faithfully serving alongside him. Carlos considers it a privilege to help men find the same hope and freedom that transformed his own life, and he remains convinced that God is still changing lives every day—and that the best is yet to come.”