June 14, 2022

(NAPSI)—Offering residential and outreach programs to individuals, families, and communities dealing with homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, domestic violence, education, and human trafficking, one organization has exhibited inspirational Christian charity—and you can be a part of it, too.

A Generous Donation

Veterans, youth, homeless people and others are the beneficiaries of a quarter-million dollar donation by entrepreneur and philanthropist Stephen J. Cloobeck to the Los Angeles Dream Center. You don’t have to give quite as much, but you can help increase godliness in the world with whatever amount you can spare.

Especially moved by the purpose-driven, results-oriented mission of the Center to achieve successful outcomes for people facing often insurmountable odds, explained Cloobeck: “I was inspired to donate to Dream Center not only because of the Center’s successful mission of helping people rebuild their lives, but because I also have overcome life challenges similar to many of the people who find themselves here. It is my hope that I can lead by example in both word and deed, and provide some measure of inspiration and financial support to truly deserving people.” 

The Man Who Gave The Money

Cloobeck is the current Chairman of the State of Nevada Athletic Commission and a self-made entrepreneur with more than 30 years’ experience across every aspect of hospitality design, development, and deployment. As the founder and former CEO and Chairman of Diamond Resorts International—a business that grew to become the second-largest vacation-ownership company worldwide with more than four hundred properties across thirty-three countries in its portfolio—Cloobeck made a name for himself as an advocate for radical customer service, what he calls embracing the “Meaning of Yes.” 

“As an entrepreneur and businessperson in a tough industry, I was used to overcoming difficult personal and professional challenges,” said Cloobeck. “But I am humbled by the inspiring stories I have heard of recovery and redemption through the Dream Center.”

For his commitment to serving the hospitality industry and expanding its economic impact nationwide, Cloobeck was appointed by former Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to serve as the inaugural chairman of the board in Brand USA Inc., a US government-formed nonprofit corporation with the sole mission of promoting travel to the United States. As Brand USA’s leading voice, he coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security, the Department of State, the Department of Commerce, Congress, the White House and leading American businesses in a first-ever effort to efficiently, effectively, and economically make the United States a more welcoming and accessible international travel destination for millions of would-be visitors around the globe. Cloobeck supports many charities and civic organizations, including the Prostate Cancer Foundation, FasterCures, Keep Memory Alive, the Barack Obama Foundation, the Brent Shapiro Foundation for Drug Prevention, the Nevada Community Foundation, and various educational initiatives. In personal efforts to assist Diamond Resorts team members dealing with unexpected life events, Cloobeck founded the Diamond Resorts International Team Member Crisis Fund, now the Diamond Resorts International Foundation, an unprecedented initiative that continues to offer aid to Diamond team members worldwide struggling with personal challenges.

Cloobeck received a degree in psychobiology from Brandeis University in 1983, only to learn after graduation that he had been grappling with undiagnosed dyslexia all that time. He is the author of the 2018 book, “Checking In: Hospitality-Driven Thinking, Business, and You.”

Practicing Christian Charity

The Dream Center was founded in 1994 by Pastor Tommy Barnett and his son, Matthew Barnett. Its mission is to transform lives and communities through Christ. It does this by connecting broken people to a community of support and providing free resources and services that address immediate and long-term needs in the areas of homelessness, hunger, poverty, addiction, abuse, education, and human trafficking. The Dream Center now serves some 40,000 people a month through various programs, and distributes 500,000 pounds of food and 15,000 articles of clothing every month to those in need.

“Thanks to Stephen’s generous donation, the Dream Center will be able to continue to support our homeless families program, which provides the opportunity for struggling homeless families to gain support in spiritual, emotional, educational, financial, and vocational areas, while establishing stability and engaging in community. We are blessed,” said Pastor Matthew Barnett.

Anyone Can Get Help

The Dream Center welcomes those in need completely free of charge with the resources, training, and support they need, regardless of faith, age, gender, orientation, nationality, or any other defining factor. 

Learn More

You can help it do this good work by spreading the good word, volunteering your time and donating money to www.dreamcenter.org.