From Homelessness to Hope: David Ambroz’s Journey to Advocacy 

“… our homelessness stretches on forever, in all directions, studded with temporary refuges …”

As a child, David Ambroz could count on one constant in life: housing insecurity. Living with a mother with mental illness and two siblings, he grew accustomed to wandering New York streets all day hoping for someplace warm to spend the night. Maybe it would be a shelter. Maybe an all-night restaurant. Maybe a street grate. Or maybe the little family would simply walk all night.

This is the David Ambroz readers meet in the first few pages of his gripping memoir, A Place Called Home. And it’s one that’s hard to match with the David Ambroz who will offer the keynote address for the Faith & Action Project Spring Conference on March 11. That Vassar College and UCLA School of Law grad holds a resume that includes leadership roles with Amazon, Walt Disney Television, and the Los Angeles Planning Commission.

Ambroz will share with Faith & Action conference attendees the story of how he emerged from years on the streets to claim a life of security and stability, and how he overcame abuse, assaults, and other terrible experiences to forge a future he imagined but hardly believed was possible. At the same time, he will offer insights, hope, and solutions to poverty and housing insecurity.

Now a Los Angeles foster dad who advocates for foster care, homeless youth, mental health, and social justice and activism, Ambroz will also share hard-won knowledge of the shortcomings of our current systems and suggestions for what can be done to turn things around.

Complementing Ambroz’ presentation will be three panel discussion featuring local front-line experts discussing the immediate and generational impact of housing insecurity and the ways congregations, individuals and community leaders can take action to help more neighbors attain secure and affordable housing and, as a result, a better future.

The Faith & Action Spring Conference will be held on March 11, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Christian Theological Seminary. Lunch is available, and an afternoon bonus session will include a presentation on new research into Indy’s housing crisis as well as a screening of Beyond The Bridge: A Solution To Homeless, a film highlighting solutions found through an examination of homeless populations in 12 cities.

To learn more and to register, go to www.cts.edu/faith-action/spring-conference.