The Unsung Hero of Peoria: Joshua Rogers
In the hustle and bustle of our daily lives, it’s easy to overlook the unsung heroes working silently in the background to make our community a better place. Meet Joshua Rogers, a 38-year-old man who has been selflessly cleaning up parts of Peoria, Arizona for over a year without any compensation, all while living homeless.
Joshua’s journey began with a simple act of kindness – cleaning up the area around a Walgreens. Feeling inspired and called to continue his efforts, he has since expanded his mission to beautify different areas of the city.
Reflecting on his work, Joshua shared, “I just love the way it looks afterwards [with] all the bags lined up. It’s an accomplishment. It’s just an enormous feeling. Putting in service is a good thing to do, putting in God’s work.”
Despite his own struggles, Joshua remains positive and dedicated to his cause. He moved to Arizona from Colorado and has been living on the streets, yet his faith in humanity remains unshaken. “All I can say is ‘love thy neighbor, you know?'” he remarked. “I’m trying to show people, don’t judge a person by the way they look.”
Joshua’s strong work ethic has not gone unnoticed. His energy and passion for cleaning have caught the attention of locals and business owners alike. Cameron Cordero, an employee at Frenchies Pizza in Peoria, shared how his father, the owner of the business, reached out to Joshua after witnessing his cleanup efforts.
Impressed by Joshua’s dedication, the community has rallied behind him. One such supporter is Joshua Zettler, owner of J&R Junk Removal, who described Joshua’s work as inspirational. “It’s hard to find people who work hard and do things like this, and not only was he doing it, but he was doing it for free out of the kindness of his own heart,” said Zettler.
Currently, Joshua has set up a GoFundMe page in hopes of turning his solo mission, “One Man One Rake,” into a non-profit organization. His dream is to create a deep-cleaning nonprofit and acquire a truck and trailer to get off the streets and continue his work.
Through his unwavering dedication and positive impact on the community, Joshua Rogers serves as a beacon of hope and inspiration. His story reminds us that a single person’s actions, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in the world.
