Who we are

After serving in the U.S. Army for 7 years, completing two combat tours to Iraq, and one non-combat tour to the Republic of Korea, our executive director (Rick) decided to pursue another profession. After completing his Doctor of Physical Therapy program, he found a newfound passion for caring for patients in the hospital setting. In those walls he is able to build relationships, encourage his patients, and work alongside a team of professionals to provide an improved quality of life for those who are not well.

Not long after beginning his career in Physical Therapy Rick had a renewal of his faith, which led him to complete his Masters in Divinity. During his studies he encountered a former Navy Chaplain that encouraged him to pursue chaplaincy in the U.S. Army Reserves. While Rick and his wife, Rebeca, had their reservations, they pressed forward to see what God would do with their career and family.

Within the same timeframe, Rick became involved in a ministry that allowed him to see another need, the prisons. Through the mentorship and leadership of his pastor, Arturo, Rick has been to enter a number of prisons and jails in the U.S. and Mexico. This eventually led to the development of 3 Foundations, which was created to help fill the need where many incarcerated persons (IPs) have long been forgotten, and even rejected.

A family of four smiles at a baseball game in a stadium. The man holds a baby girl dressed in a baseball jersey. The girl and woman wear San Diego Padres hats. The background shows a packed stadium and a cloudy sky.
Selfie of a man in scrubs smiling in front of the Santa Maria Health Center on a sunny day, with a blue sky and trees in the background
A man in military uniform, a woman in a dress, and a young girl are smiling and posing together indoors. The man is holding the girl, who is dressed in light clothing, and they are standing in front of an American flag, with balloons and a cozy living room setting in the background.

WHERE

IT ALL

STARTED

In the early 1990’s, the two gentlemen to the right, Arturo (Left) and Pancho (Right), met inside the walls of a rehabilitation center in San Diego, CA. Each with their own background, their own pain, and their own addictions. It was time that they abandoned their old way of life to bring about restoration and reconciliation within their family, friends, and community.

In 2017, Pancho became involved in the prisons through a ministry in Tijuana, which allowed him to enter the prison walls of some of the most notrious penetentiaries of Baja California. He began in Tijuana at La Mesa, El Hongo in Tecate, and the Cereso of Ensenada. After several years he heard that his good friend, Arturo, had decided to finally retire from his work.

In 2022, Arturo received a call from Pancho and he was asked, “What are you doing just sitting around? There’s work to do!” It was finally time for Arturo to step into the prison walls and see what Pancho had been talking about for the last several years. Since then, they have both traveled to other locations such as Oaxaca and La Paz to continue the work that God has placed on their heart.

Their prayer is that you would partner with us to help them and others continue reaching these unknown areas and fulfill the need they have seen. Who knows, maybe you could join them on their next adventure behind prison walls.

Two men wearing matching maroon polo shirts sit on a stone bench under a stone archway. Others are visible in the background near a stone counter, with a fence and trees beyond.
Three men standing together at night in front of a welcoming archway that reads 'Bienvenidos La Paz Puerto de Ilusion' with streetlights illuminating the area.
Five men standing in front of a tall blue fence outside, with a building and a street behind them, all wearing maroon shirts or jackets.

Contact us

Interested in working together? You can join our mission by volunteering for fundraisers, joining our training events, going with us into the prisons, or make a connection by becoming one of our community partners! Whatever it is you have in mind, we are excited to hear from you. Fill out your information and we will be in touch shortly. We can’t wait to hear from you!