By Sherry Jones
Not all heroes wear uniforms. Some carry the weight of their past, push through hardship and wake up every day determined to do better. Trey Bell is one of them.
Trey’s journey is a powerful reminder that rock bottom doesn’t have to be the end of the story. Despite a childhood marked by challenges and a young adulthood filled with setbacks, poor choices and homelessness, Trey found a way forward. His transformation is not just a story of luck or circumstance—it’s the result of his own determination, paired with the support and structure provided by One Hopeful Place and Bridgeway Center. Together, they offered him the tools and guidance. But, it was Trey who chose to rise, to do the work and to build a new life from the ground up.
A local native, Trey grew up with strong values instilled by his single mother—faith, discipline and the importance of showing up. Life was structured: school, chores and a sense of purpose. From a young age, Trey struggled with learning disabilities and ADHD. School was never easy and despite his best efforts, retaining information didn’t come naturally. Still, he graduated from Niceville High School with a special education diploma— an achievement earned with persistence and heart.
As a young boy, Trey imagined himself one day wearing a badge. Around the age of 8 or 9, he dreamed of becoming a sheriff’s deputy like his grandfather. That dream stuck with him and even though his special diploma disqualified him from entering law enforcement or firefighting, he didn’t give up on the idea. Hoping to find a way in, Trey volunteered with the City of Valparaiso Fire Department as a young adult—trying to get as close as he could to the world he admired.
After high school, he began receiving Social Security due to his disability. But Trey didn’t want to depend on it forever. He started working at Kelly’s Grocery, Little Caesars, Marco’s Pizza, Big Lots, Sam’s Club and for a tree service company. He lived with his grandmother for a time before finally moving into the Niceville Housing Authority, hoping to build a stable life of his own.
But that foundation quickly crumbled.
Legal trouble caused Trey to lose his housing. He started working overnight at Tom Thumb, but was making poor financial choices. He bought a Dodge Charger, spent money on car accessories and fell behind on rent. “I thought it would make things better,” he said. “But I just ended up falling further behind.”
He found a steady job at Harbor Freight and stayed for three years—but got caught up with the wrong crowd, leading to substance use and ultimately losing his job. Still, Trey doesn’t blame others. “It wasn’t the drugs. It was me. I made the decision. The downfall was my fault. I lost everything, because of choices I made.”
Even after leaving those influences behind, he continued down the wrong financial path. “The car replaced the drugs,” he said. “It still cost me.”
By 2022, Trey was sleeping in that very car. One night, he paid for a hotel room just to get decent rest. “I was tired, mentally and physically,” he said. The next morning, when he walked out of the hotel, his car was gone—repossessed. “It was the last thing I had,” he said. “I didn’t want to go to my family. I didn’t want to rely on anyone.”
With nowhere else to go, Trey began researching online for homeless services in the area— and that’s how he found One Hopeful Place. When he arrived at One Hopeful Place, it became his turning point. “I knew I had a year to get on my feet. I was ready to do the work.” Living in a dorm-style setting with nearly 50 other men wasn’t easy. “There are a lot of personalities,” he said. But he leaned into the structure.
“Most of the homeless population don’t have structure—and structure has rules. And rules are what’s needed in life,” Trey explained. “A lot of people in homelessness also lack responsibility. One Hopeful Place teaches both. That’s what people need to get back on their feet.”
Trey didn’t just adapt—he stepped up. He became a lead participant, a trusted volunteer role where he helped oversee the campus and served as a point of contact when staff weren’t on-site. “They trusted me,” he said. “I didn’t take that lightly.”
With the help of Donna and Liz and community partner Bridgeway Center, Inc., Trey started actively job hunting. “Donna and Liz bent over backwards for me and anyone in the shelter. They give you the tools for success but expect you to put in the effort.” After months of effort, he was hired by CES Construction. “They helped me every step of the way—applications, interviews, everything,” he said. Trey officially began working there in January 2025 and he’s still employed today.
Without a car, Trey rides his bike to work—rain or shine. He pays his bills ahead of time, saves money and is working toward buying a reliable vehicle. Thanks to community support and grant funding, One Hopeful Place helped Trey move into a fully furnished apartment, providing the bed, kitchen basics and the quiet restart he needed. “It’s quiet. I have my cats. I have a routine now. I go home—and I’m at peace.”
Trey now lives independently. His apartment is clean. His life is steady. His outlook is clear. “One Hopeful Place taught me how to live on my own,” he said. “How to manage money. Clean. Be responsible. That structure shaped how I live today. My apartment is clean, my bills are paid and I’m not just surviving—I’m finally living.”
The road hasn’t been easy, but it’s been worth it. Trey Bell’s story is one of second chances, hard lessons and quiet strength. “Everything has a reason,” he said. “I just had to be ready.”
