Today we’d like to introduce you to Richard Trinidad.
Hi Richard, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My wife (Margarita) and I along with our children moved to Orlando, Florida in September of 2020 with the dream of starting a church (Uturn Covenant Church of Orlando) that reaches those that are vulnerable and many times underserved with a message of hope. Since then, we have passed out over 800 boxes of food within the community of Pine Hills and surrounding communities.
We also hosted our first back-to-school drive ” Hopefest” where over 900 people showed up to receive free haircuts, book bags, school supplies, and information about getting free vaccinations. On a weekly basis, we have a community initiative called loads of love where people within our church go to a local laundromat and pay for families’ laundry. This has helped many families that sometimes have to choose between feeding their family or washing their clothes. We have given approximately $1,500 worth of free laundry. It is my life’s mission to bring hope and love to people and to teach others to see the need around them and encourage them to meet it.
You may be asking why I have such a passion to reach out to the most vulnerable? Well, that’s simple. I was once in the same situation that most of the people we serve are in. I was born and raised in Chicago, IL is one of the worst neighborhoods at the time, Humboldt Park. I was hurting mentally, emotionally, and spiritually, to be frank, I was suicidal. To numb the pain, I would constantly go to drugs and alcohol.
One day was probably the worst time in my life when frankly I didn’t care about much. My grandmother reached out to my mother and asked if she could fly me to Puerto Rico. Long story short, that trip changed my life! It was my grandmother that showed me that there was a better way to live and that I had a purpose for my life. A purpose that can only be found in Jesus. Since then, my purpose is to help people that were lost just like myself find their purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Along this journey, it hasn’t been the easiest. The struggle that we have faced is the sad reality that we are living in a global pandemic. This has hit the communities we serve the hardest because if they get sick or their jobs close down this sets them back even more.
I have met and spoken to a few families that have had to sleep in their cars with their children or go to a shelter or at best live with a family that already has several of their family members living there. The hardest thing however is when we do not have enough resources to serve these families.
Our goal, however, is to meet the needs of as many families as possible. Although we can’t do everything, we can do something.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
By title, I am known to many as a Pastor of Uturn Covenant Church in Orlando Florida. I like to say that I am a dealer of Hope. One of the things that I am most proud of is the work that we do on a weekly basis within the community of pine hills and surrounding communities.
I want to lead an organization that serves the community and provides hope for people, especially families that need it the most. I believe we are doing a small part in accomplishing that.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
One of the things that have helped me the most is a partnership. We have partnered with many organizations that have the same mission that we have. The partnership is key to being successful in many respects. Partnership and mentorship can take someone further faster.
Contact Info:
- Email: uturnorlando@gmail.com
- Website: myuturnorlando.com
- Instagram: @uturncovenantorlando
- Facebook: uturncovenantorlando
- Twitter: @richardtrinidad
- Youtube: uturncovenantorlando
Image Credits
Wayne Densch YMCA , Full Cart.
