Troy Vaughn has dedicated his life to addressing the pressing issues of homelessness and poverty in Los Angeles. As president and CEO of the LA Mission, he says he knows what is needed in order to spark real change in the lives of homeless people.

Vaughn knows it because he lived it: He spent seven years of his life on the streets of Skid Row, homeless and addicted to drugs. Despite growing up in LA in a loving, supportive home, he says he experienced a traumatic break when his father died of a drug overdose. The experience sent Vaughn over the edge.

What You Need To Know

  • In a new episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Vaughn shares how he finally found help from both the Union Rescue Mission and the LA Mission

  • Vaughn went on to own multiple businesses and founded both the Christ-Centered Ministries and the LA Regional Reentry Partnership, both of which help those living in poverty

  • On top of all this, Vaughn also serves as pastor of Restoration Family Worship Center

  • At the LA Mission, Vaughn’s goal is to focus on long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis

In the latest episode of “LA Stories with Giselle Fernandez,” Vaughn shares how he finally found help from both the Union Rescue Mission and the LA Mission. He became clean and sober and went on to receive multiple college degrees. He married his wife, Darlene and got a job in finance. Vaughn went on to own multiple businesses and founded both the Christ-Centered Ministries and the LA Regional Reentry Partnership, both of which help those living in poverty.

On top of all this, Vaughn also serves as pastor for Restoration Family Worship Center. When he became president and CEO of the LA Mission, he took both his life and professional experience with him and continued on his endeavor to spark change.

“We have to bring a business lens to the work that we’re doing at all times because a lot of times, when we just approach it from the ministry, we don’t see the business side — to see whether or not what we’re doing is effective or not,” he said.

At the LA Mission, Vaughn’s goal is to focus on long-term solutions to the homelessness crisis. The mission not only provides warm meals and beds but also job training, legal services, mental health services and family support.

Vaughn hopes his commitment to these innovative programs catches the attention of city and state officials, citing that he has the data to prove that their approach is working and should be replicated throughout the nation. He believes we all need to be held accountable for the issues facing LA, and we all need to be a part of the solution.

Despite the uphill battle he faces, Vaughn remains hopeful for the future.

“I come for the one every day,” he said. “I don’t know if that one that I touch is going to be the next Troy Vaughn or the next president, the next Kamala Harris. I don’t know who it’s going to be, but God has commanded me to go for the one.”