Warriors Challenge - Mexico

Have you ever been homeless? Or lived in poverty?

I grew up on welfare and as a youth even lived on the streets to escape an abusive home but I have never lived in the poverty that many people in other countries face.

Its hard to imagine having no running water, or sewage systems, let alone not having a roof over your head to protect the family. Its hard to imagine because of where I have lived my whole life, in sunny California.

Last year I was invited by Hope Sports to attend a home build in Rosarito Mexico and brought my only son Frankie along who is as handy as they come. I imagined that it would be a great bonding experience for us, something that I was certainly missing after committing a lifetime to conquering sports.

The magic happened as we slowly learned about the family that we were building for, the father was gone most of the year and the mother was raising four kids with grandmas support. The days began early and the family were the first ones to pick up a paint brush or offer our team food and water.

By the end of two days, the house was built and after filling it up with food and furniture - the best part was about to happen. The gifting ceremony .

Each person who helped build held the key to the door and spoke about what the build meant to them and how they felt as they handed over such a precious item. The power and emotions in those words I will remember forever as I will the tears of the family as they entered the house for the first time not knowing we have filled it with furniture, a stove and months of food.

The weekend was simply magical for us. We bonded like never before and learned a lot about each other, I learned that my son is a kind and wonderful person who can do anything.

When I returned to brief our advisory team they had only one question: When do we get to go?

We returned with our entire volunteer team and had the same experience with another family, magical moments for all of us and this time I brought my only girl Nicolette who was 10 years old.

This is an annual event for our charity now and we are searching for new communities and families to support. We have named the event, Warriors Challenge and invite you to join us.

Bring your family or team or tribe, no building experience necessary only love is required.

Find out more here: Warriors Challenge

Frank Shamrock

Executive Director