Meet Amy Torrez
Smiling woman with dark hair in a black blazer and patterned blouse standing outside house with red and beige siding.

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Amy Torrez. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Amy below.

Amy, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

I found my purpose by experiencing something beneficial in a very difficult situation. Just shortly after graduating college at the University of Texas at Austin, bmy father became ill. He had been living in south Texas and had been transferred to Houston, TX where they were able to diagnose him with Burkitt’s Lymphoma and subsequently received treatment their. Since the rest of my family was living in northeast Indiana, I was the best choice to be with him during this time.

For the next 6 months, I stayed in Houston to be close to my father as he endured very aggressive treatment. After the first two months he was well enough to be released from the hospital but he was not well enough to travel back home near McAllen, TX nor home with me in Austin, TX. We were fortunate enough to find temporary medical housing provided by a local church. These fully furnished apartments provided a safe and clean home away from home while I helped take care of my father during his treatment. Unfortunately, even though he beat the lymphoma, the treatment proved too harsh for his body and he passed away from a heart attack right before his last treatment. I then moved back home to Indiana to financially and emotionally get back on my feet.

During the time back in Indiana I worked in the full service hospitality industry as well as the insurance industry, It was from this professional experience combined with my own personal experience that I began a non-profit in Indiana that provide the same temporary housing for those traveling for medical treatment outside of their home environment.

Young man with short hair wearing a dark jacket and light shirt, standing outdoors.

Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?

After tragedy struck again, I found myself moving to southern California to take care of a loved one after he was involved in an accident. So I found myself in the role of a full time caregiver again. After another 6 months, I founded another nonprofit in southern California that will provide temporary medical housing to adult patients that have to travel for their medical treatment.

We are gearing up for several fundraisers to be able to obtain our housing unit for our mission, We are always looking for board members, volunteers and options for housing to help grow our reach and start our mission in the Los Angeles county area.

Woman with dark, wavy hair smiling, wearing a black top and a colorful scarf, sitting against a light background.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

I feel the three most important qualities/skills and area of knowledge that have been most impactful in my journey have been compassion, perseverance, and knowledge of the hospitality industry,

The best advice I can give to folks who are early in their journey, is to remember your “Why”. Just like Simon Sinek says, remember why you started or want to start this journey. The going is always going to be tough, just make sure you understand that and that their will always be peaks and valleys. Getting through the valleys may seem lonely, but it will all be worth it in the end when you persevere. When it gets really rough, check in with the clients you are helping. They will always put things into perspective. Also plug into an entrepreneurial group or group of other non-profits. They have been there as well and can offer more specific advice or even ust lend an ear to talk things through. Also, remember to read personal development books nad take time for yourself. You cannot pour from an empty cup.

Woman with curly gray hair and red lipstick smiling at the beach, wearing a red top, with sand and ocean in background.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

I would love to partner or collaborate with a home builder/renovation company or even a real estate developer. Since housing is in high demand in the southern California area, having these type of partnerships may help reduce some of the costs of housing or help us find that coveted property near hospitals or available and in need of renovations, To connect with me and find out more about my story and what we do at Amy’s Place, then can check out our website at www.amysplace.org or call at 626-325-4127.

Contact Info:

Table with a blue tablecloth displaying a house model and bottles, set in a spacious, well-lit room.

House outline with a heart inside and text 'Amy's Place' and 'At home, while away from home'.

Image Credits

Nikeshia Young
Edward Sheremet

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