Courageous Heart is a powerful force of grace, leaving a lasting impact of kindness and love in communities. Our journey has been one of resilience and transformation, emerging from a broken heart that refused to give up. Beauty is born from the depths of woundedness and can show compassion, mercy, and love to a hurting world.
Gabriel Vasquez, the founder of Courageous Heart, intimately understands life’s pain and hardships. Having grown up in the foster care system since the age of five, he experienced firsthand the challenges that come with such a journey. However, darkness did not overcome him. Instead, Gabriel developed a positive mindset, cultivating a compassionate and loving heart, particularly towards children and youth.
Navigating the foster care system in a bustling city like Chicago was far from easy. Gabriel often felt lost and alone, yet his unwavering faith in God’s plan kept him going. He knew that change would come, and it did when, after two years in foster care, he and his siblings were reunited with their biological grandparents in Uvalde, Texas. Living with his grandparents for four years, Gabriel learned the value of hard work and gratitude. His grandfather, Mauricio, taught him practical skills like uprooting large trees, restoring car engines, and even establishing a plumbing system. This upbringing instilled in Gabriel an entrepreneurial mindset that would shape his future.
At the age of 11, Gabriel was reunited with his mother, Olga, who ran her own concession business in Whittier, California, selling fruit drinks and fruit cups at various events. Gabriel eagerly joined his mother, dedicating himself to supporting her business and learning valuable strategies along the way. His compassion extended beyond their business ventures, as he would often assist homeless individuals they encountered during early morning trips to the Downtown L.A. water marketplace. Gabriel’s heart moved with empathy, prompting him to offer assistance in the form of coins, food, or whatever he could provide. Looking up at the sky, he vowed to create successful businesses and use his provisions to make a difference in people’s lives.
At 29, Gabriel’s dream materialized with establishing his own catering business, VIP Catering Company, which experienced immediate success. With his newfound revenue, he seized the opportunity to organize events for foster care children, the homeless, seniors in California, and orphanages in Mexicali and Tijuana, Mexico.
In early 2022, encouraged by others, Gabriel pursued nonprofit status and was granted the designation of a 501(c)(3) organization. With the support of his son Gabriel Jr, extended family, friends, and dedicated volunteers, Courageous Heart is making a significant positive impact on countless lives.
