By Dr. Melody Garcia There are lives that remind us resilience is not born in comfort but forged in fire. For Evangeline Rivera Powell, life has been a tapestry of faith, loss, and unrelenting perseverance. Hers is not the story of a woman who sought titles or recognition, but of one who chose to keep walking when grief threatened to halt her steps. In her journey, every setback has been reframed as preparation and every sorrow transformed into purpose. A DREAM ROOTED IN COMPASSION Evangeline’s story began in the hallways of hospitals and care homes, where as a young nurse she tended to patients with quiet devotion. She saw, even then, how fragile the human body could be and how dignity mattered as much as medicine. She dreamed of creating spaces where compassion was not an afterthought but the foundation of care. It was a vision too large for her resources, yet it lived quietly in her heart, waiting for its season. When an opportunity finally presented itself, she stepped forward not fully prepared but anchored in faith. Managing one nursing home soon grew into ownership. What began as a courageous leap evolved into an enterprise of five thriving facilities, each a sanctuary of compassion. Yet when Evangeline speaks of success, she does not count in millions but in moments, families comforted, patients restored, employees seen and valued. LOVE, LOSS, AND THE CRUCIBLE OF BECOMING At the center of her story was Stephen Powell, her husband and greatest champion. He was more than a partner in business. He was her confidant, her mirror, and her safe place. Stephen believed in her potential when she doubted herself. He shared wisdom late at night, guided her toward courage, and unknowingly prepared her for a future in which...... Read more on Full Issue!