Ray’s Story

As you most likely know by now, every week we try to highlight something or someone that aligns with our mission, and this week is “work” week. Enter Ray. Ray Trevino was hired on at Good Soil Industries (GSI) back in 2021 unsure of where this journey would take him. He was referred by a friend who was already working here, and at that time, their goals were simple: they just wanted steady work. Today, Ray is a proud route manager, and he can often be found sharing laughter and advice with the team while making a real difference in the community.

When asked about his past, Ray was honest about the challenges he faced. “I didn’t think I’d make it here,” he said, thinking about the years spent in and out of jail and facing addiction. Ray is now proud to report that he’s been clean for 17 years, and looks back on his journey with a grateful heart. “Addiction strips you of your dignity,” but it was his commitment to change that led him here. When Ray talks about recovery, he talks about it with purpose, and it’s evident that he uses that passion to pour into the participants here at GSI.

If you were to catch Ray out on one of his routes, you’d see a man who cares about his team, and constantly offers advice and support to each of them. When asked about what made him that way, he mentioned his life experiences that have taught him to see people as individuals. “Everybody is different and has their own personality,” he said, and talked about how empathy can go a long way for someone. Ray admits he’s still working on managing his own reactions sometimes, but is consistently motivated by his recovery-based values: responsibility, commitment, and showing up early.

At GSI, Ray found more than a job—he found pride in being part of a team that helps people find stability. He remembers milestones that highlight his personal growth, like finally getting his license and buying a car. “Growing up, I didn’t think I’d ever even get a license. But now, I GET to be responsible, and I don’t have to ask anyone for a ride,” and in true Ray fashion, cracked a joke about having the freedom to “go get a pizza whenever I want to.”

Even through the funny parts of his personality, his motivation comes from the people around him. He enjoys knowing he’s someone his team can lean on, and he finds purpose in encouraging others on their own paths to recovery. “There’s a reason I’m here,” he says. Ray’s advice for new participants? “Keep on pushing. It only gets better.”

Ray’s commitment doesn’t stop at GSI. He’s also a phone line coordinator for NA, and connects people to meetings and offers support across this region. His excitement for helping others is infectious, and his pride in GSI shines through whenever he talks about his work. For Ray, work isn’t just a job—it’s a purpose-driven commitment to helping others find their way.

He says it best himself: “If you’d told me 17 years ago that I’d be here, I wouldn’t have believed you.”

Now, he can’t imagine being anywhere else.