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After five years of couch surfing, Miguel Sanchez credits The Salvation Army Hospitality House in Tucson, Arizona, for helping him get back on his feet. Now he has his sights set on training as a professional boxer.
On any given night in 2023, nearly 20 out of every 10,000 people in the United States experienced homelessness, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Beneath these figures lies an often-overlooked group experiencing “hidden homelessness,” scraping by with temporary living arrangements and leaning on others for shelter, or “couch surfing.”
Miguel Sanchez, 27, couch surfed in Tucson, Arizona, from ages 13 to 18, following the loss of his mother. He said the instability led him to make poor choices, resulting in a two-and-a-half-year sentence for graffiti and vandalism at 19.
Upon his release, Sanchez found employment as a leasing agent in Tucson. Although he excelled in this role, he thought of his true passion, boxing, and felt unsatisfied.
“I didn’t want to be stuck,” Sanchez said. “I had goals and didn’t want to fall back into my old lifestyle.”
In 2023, Sanchez reached out to The Salvation Army Hospitality House in Tucson after facing challenges with paying rent and utilities. He said staying at the Hospitality House was his first break in life.
The Salvation Army Hospitality House provides emergency shelter for up to 104 individuals and offers comprehensive support from case managers, including assistance with bills, employment and independent housing.
“Staying at the Hospitality House let me focus on training,” Sanchez said. “I came from a life of struggle and wanted to prove I could do more— that’s when I started with USA Amateur Boxing.”
Sanchez said the support he received was new to him. “They cared about me and my passion,” he said. “I was able to work, save money and focus on training.”
During his two-month stay at the Hospitality House, Sanchez said he found community and strength through those around him. He noted that this level of care inspired him to help others.
“I didn’t know what to expect going in. But it was a great experience because I could focus on pursuing my dream. It felt like I was finally surrounded by people who understood.”
Miguel Sanchez
He volunteered his free time to assist with house laundry, connect with other guests for social support and even help some with job searches. He said not having to worry about his next meal or where he would sleep at night allowed him to become his best self.
“I didn’t know what to expect going in,” Sanchez said. “But it was a great experience because I could focus on pursuing my dream. It felt like I was finally surrounded by people who understood.”
Case Manager Kim Graham recalled his drive to pursue his passion as a motivating factor for others in the shelter.
“He became a figure at the Hospitality House,” Graham said. “People recognized him as the boxer striving to achieve his goals and a positive, supportive presence to have around.”
According to Graham, it’s common to assist clients who have experienced couch surfing, particularly among young adults.
“Situations like Miguel’s often stem from a lack of support, increasing rental expenses and loss of employment,” she said. “Individuals then rely on acquaintances or even strangers for a place to sleep.”
While Sanchez never found himself fully unsheltered, he said that the lifestyle of couch surfing filled him with insecurity and anxiety.
“I had to accept that my family didn’t want to help me with housing because of my past,” Sanchez said. “It was The Salvation Army that stepped up.”
Sanchez attributed the beginning of his boxing career to the assistance and hospitality he received from The Salvation Army.
In 2023, Sanchez’s participation in the Gene Lewis Boxing Tournament in Tucson led to an invitation to train at Barry’s Boxing in Las Vegas.
Sanchez accepted and embarked on a fresh chapter to pursue his dream.
Graham assisted Sanchez in arranging his move to Las Vegas by coordinating with The Salvation Army’s Las Vegas shelters, providing a suitcase and helping to secure a bus ticket. In February, Sanchez arrived in Las Vegas and secured an apartment on his own after finding employment as a line cook.
“I’m exactly where I need to be for the first time in my life,” Sanchez said.
He said he now has a six-day-a-week, eight-hour training schedule and is preparing for his professional debut, or paid tournament, where he plans to donate 10 percent of his earnings to The Salvation Army.
“He didn’t just sit around and let it happen,” Graham said. “He took the steps to ensure his life moved in the right direction and set a great example for those around him.”
Sanchez said he’s determined to establish himself in Las Vegas and hopes to share his story with others to inspire them not to give up.
“I just want to give back to The Salvation Army because they gave a lot to me to get me where I am today,” he said.
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