Today we’d like to introduce you to Bernard(junior) Vassallo.
Hi Bernard, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
My name is Junior Vassallo and I am 32 years old. I have lived in San Diego my entire life. I started using drugs when I was 13 years old. What began as curiosity quickly turned into a full-blown addiction that consumed the next 17 years of my life. Fentanyl and opioids had a grip on me that I couldn’t escape, and with them came destruction—broken relationships, lost opportunities, and a complete lack of hope. I felt trapped in a cycle that only seemed to lead deeper into darkness.
Everything began to change when I entered a Christian program called Green Oak Ranch here in San Diego. It wasn’t an overnight fix, but through the structure, community, and—most importantly—the power of God’s Word, I began to experience real healing. For the first time, I realized that recovery wasn’t just about getting sober, it was about finding a new identity in Jesus Christ. God restored pieces of my life I thought were gone forever and gave me purpose beyond myself.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
No, it definitely hasn’t been a smooth road. My addiction led me down a path filled with violence, crime, and brokenness. I was facing the possibility of spending 16 years in prison, and during that season of my life I lost a lot of friends—some to overdoses, some to violence, some to the streets. The chaos felt never-ending, and it left me with scars both inside and out.
Even in recovery, the journey hasn’t been easy. Learning to face the pain I had buried, forgiving myself, and breaking old patterns took time and humility. But each struggle has become part of my testimony. God has used what was once my greatest shame to become a story of hope I can now share with others. Looking back, I can see that the battles weren’t wasted—they prepared me to walk alongside men who are in the same fight I once was.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Today I serve as the Program Director at Green Oak Ranch in San Diego. Our mission is to help men break free from addiction through faith, structure, and community. I specialize in creating an environment where men don’t just get sober, but actually learn how to rebuild their lives—spiritually, emotionally, and practically. That means everything from leading Bible studies and recovery groups, to organizing work therapy crews, to mentoring men one-on-one through their toughest days.
What I’m most proud of is seeing lives transformed. Watching a man come in broken, angry, and hopeless—and then months later seeing him restored, smiling, working hard, and talking about his future—that’s what it’s all about. I know the road they’re walking because I’ve been there, and that’s what sets me apart. I’m not just teaching theory; I’m living proof that change is possible.
At the end of the day, I want to be known for helping men see that their past doesn’t define them. What defines them is what God can do with their future. That’s the heart of my work, and the reason I keep showing up every day.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I’d say the most important quality behind my success has been resilience—learning how to keep moving forward no matter how hard it gets. Addiction, prison, violence, and loss could have destroyed me, but by God’s grace I’ve been able to turn those scars into strength. That resilience now shows up in how I lead; I don’t quit on the men I work with because I know what it feels like to want to give up.
Along with resilience, I’d also say humility has been key. I had to learn to admit I couldn’t do life on my own. That shift—depending on God and being willing to grow—has been the foundation for everything I do today
Pricing:
- 750 a month of residents rent for program
- we need donations!
- anyone in vista can get funded for free by the city!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://greenoakranch.org
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greenoakranch?igsh=MTJjczVuZDZuOThkYQ==
