WACO, Texas – Alex Gonzalez has come a long way from living in San Antonio homeless shelters with his family to becoming an information technology major at Baylor University.
Gonzalez, now a sophomore at one of the top schools in the country, said his source of inspiration has been, "just one word, hope."
Gonzalez said he and his family initially stayed at the Salvation Army Hope Center and then the Haven for Hope.
His mentor now at Baylor is Dr. Hope Koch, an associate professor in the Hankamer School of Business. "I pinch myself every morning, thinking this is a dream," Gonzalez said.
Before he enrolled at Baylor, Gonzalez endured a real-life ordeal. He said his parents divorced and the recession cost them their jobs. Then his mother, brother and sisters lost their home. "I couldn't understand what went wrong," Gonzalez said.
But instead of feeling defeated, Gonzalez said he relied on his positive nature. "I always look on the bright side," he said.
Gonzalez said he considered the upheaval of his family as "just another phase in my life." Despite his circumstances, Gonzalez said he graduated summa cum laude from Lady Bird Johnson High School as a Distinguished Scholar.
Gonzalez said his family's move to Haven for Hope was a turning point. "If it wasn't for Haven, I don't think I'd even be at Baylor," Gonzalez said.
He said he would probably be working at a fast food chain were it not for Haven for Hope.
Known at Haven for his positive attitude and academic accomplishments, word reached the Baylor University football team that was town for the Alamo Bowl in 2012. They also learned Gonzalez wanted to follow his favorite cousin to Baylor.
Gonzalez's hope was realized when the Baylor Bears paid a visit to Haven. They spent time with him and tossed the football around with residents.
After that, Haven benefactors and Baylor University made it financially possible for him to attend the university. "I was over the roof," he said.
Koch said she didn't know he had been homeless until she learned about the profile airing on KSAT 12.
"I had no idea. I actually thought it was God speaking to me," Koch said. "It actually inspired me and it made me want to do better."
Koch said based on her research, children are actually the nation's largest segment of the homeless population.
"He probably appreciates everything he's been given more than anybody else. I think that's what drives him, to push himself," Koch said.
Gonzalez said thankfully his family is no longer homeless. As for the hope that got him this far, "That's God's way of telling me, 'Hold on. You got this.'"