I had the opportunity to meet with alumna Rebecca Barcelo ’11 to discuss her inspiring journey of service and leadership. Barcelo has devoted recent years to restoring dignity and hope to the unhoused. From organizing clinics with volunteers to leading innovative outreach programs through Loma Linda UReach, Barcelo’s work shows her passion for building connections and making a lasting impact.
Recently, Barcelo organized a large clinic with 35 volunteers, including nurses and young adults, which served over 25 unhoused individuals. Looking ahead, she plans to present at the Redlands Interfaith Council to explore partnerships with mosques, synagogues, and other community groups. “I love working beyond the Adventist bubble,” she said. “It’s about building networks that amplify our impact.”
Barcelo’s life is a blend of diverse cultures, meaningful experiences, and a committed dedication to serving others. Born to a Mexican father and an American mother, she grew up in Puerto Rico, a culture deeply rooted in valuing relationships above all else. The island’s culture, where “everything stops for people,” instilled in her a profound respect for relationships and community. “In Puerto Rico, relationships come first,” Barcelo reflected. “It’s so different from the U.S., where everything feels task-oriented. Growing up there taught me to prioritize people above all else.” This foundation of connection and empathy now fuels her ministry and outreach.
These experiences, combined with her education at La Sierra University, laid the foundation for her mission to restore dignity to the unhoused. Rebecca’s academic journey began with a bachelor of arts in public relations, advertising, and applied communication at La Sierra University followed by a master’s degree in theological studies at Andrews University. This shift was a natural extension of her desire to integrate belief and practice. “Communication and theology meet in practical theology—making what we believe applicable to everyday life,” she explained.
Barcelo’s time at La Sierra broadened her understanding of faith, particularly through discussions on social justice and global mission work. “It was transformative,” she recalled. “La Sierra’s mission-oriented approach taught me how to integrate faith with global service.” Her favorite course, Religious Understanding with Dr. John Jones, expanded her worldview, along with visits to mosques and synagogues during an Honors trip to Turkey.
From a young age, Barcelo was troubled by the exclusion of marginalized individuals, particularly unhoused people, which later inspired her Honors scholarship project. “As a kid, I wanted to include everyone,” she remembered. “But as I got older, I realized how complex these issues really are.” This early passion found direction during her Honors capstone project, where she created a documentary presenting the stories of Riverside’s homeless population. She uncovered the stories of individuals trapped in homelessness, including two women escaping abusive relationships. Determined to make a difference, she worked tirelessly to connect them with resources, helping them transition off the streets. “That project opened my eyes to how meaningful it is to play even a small role in solving such a huge problem,” she shared. “That project planted a seed I didn’t even realize would grow into my life’s work.”
This life-changing experience laid the groundwork for Barcelo’s current leadership role in Loma Linda UReach, a ministry that provides essentials including managing a comprehensive program that offers mobile showers, hygiene products, meals, haircuts, clothing, and medical services. “When I found this ministry, I realized I didn’t have to do it all on my own,” she said. “It wasn’t just about handing out snack bars from my car anymore. Now, it’s a whole system—a sustainable effort to meet people’s needs with dignity.”
Every week, Barcelo acts as a liaison, connecting resources with needs. Whether pairing medical students seeking volunteer hours with unhoused individuals requiring care or mobilizing church members for a service day, she thrives on creating meaningful connections. “I see the gaps and bring people together to fill them,” she said.
One standout moment for Barcelo is the story of Ana, a regular visitor who approaches each Thursday as a “spa day,” arriving with makeup supplies and leaving rejuvenated. “Seeing her smile and the confidence a simple shower gives her—it reminds me why we do this work,” said Barcelo. Another moving experience involved a cancer survivor who hadn’t had a proper haircut since her treatment. “Her smile afterward was something I’ll never forget,” Rebecca shared. These encounters underscore Rebecca’s belief that helping others overcomes debates about who “deserves” assistance. “When you see someone transformed by a small act of kindness, all those theories about worthiness melt away,” she said. “It’s not about deserving help; it’s about reflecting God’s love and alleviating suffering.”
Barcelo’s work with UReach reflects the lessons she learned during her time at La Sierra University. The Honors Program’s emphasis on service learning and community-based assignments provided a framework for her ministry. “That [scholarship] project was a reflection of what La Sierra taught me, combining faith, academics, and action to address real-world issues,” Rebecca reflected. “It wasn’t just about documenting stories but using those stories to inspire change.”
Rebecca’s centers on the importance of passion and sustainability in creating lasting impact. “Find something you’d do even if no one paid you,” she advised. “And don’t try to do everything alone. Build systems, collaborate, and take care of yourself.” She recognizes that change often comes through small, consistent actions. “I used to think change came through big, dramatic efforts,” she admitted. “Now I see it’s in the little things—thanking volunteers, organizing well—that create lasting impact.”
—Pablo Jaquez, Class of 2026: Biology-Biomedical Sciences/Pre-Medicine