I took a gap year between my freshman and sophomore year of college and lived in Los Angeles, California. Most people assume I went to travel or party, but I did not get to do these things. I was a part of the Dream Center.
I lived at the Dream Center in Downtown L.A. in the Echo Park neighborhood. The Dream Center is a place where many people visit, volunteer, serve, and are changed. “The Dream Center serves as a resource center focused on finding solutions to homelessness, hunger, and the lack of education through residential and community outreach,” the website reads.
I went to the Dream Center for the first time after high school on a short-term mission trip with my church. I was accepted to the Dream Center Leadership School in July of 2017, and by September of the same year, I was on my way to L.A.
I drove to Los Angeles so I would have a vehicle there for the nine months I lived there. I did not understand what I would be doing exactly. All I knew was that I was going to be living in California, more than 1,5000 miles away from Mississippi. I was leaving everything and everyone behind for almost a year.
The Dream Center Leadership School’s website says, “Today, more and more young people are finding the value in taking a season to build a solid, spiritual foundation for their future. The traditional way is not the only way to success. Before you go to college, before you take that ministry or corporate position, take a year to set your roots. Experience a new culture, discover a hidden passion, serve a community by breaking out of the classroom and get true hands-on ministry experience. On top of that, you will develop new skills and build character along-side other young adults from all over the world.”
This was exactly what happened over the next nine months. “Through hands-on ministry training, discipleship and spiritual transformation, our students’ natural leadership abilities are strengthened. We believe that by the time each student has finished their season here, they will be ready to excel in whatever capacity or role God is calling them to. Whether that be college, full-time ministry or the corporate workplace.