Getting to Know TRUT Program Crew Member: Joe Roybal

“When I was homeless, I lived by the Truckee River for a little while. It was a big resource,” Joe shares. “Now, I have an opportunity to give back what I got from the river – and I’m so grateful for it.”

As a crew member on our Truckee River Urban Tree (TRUT) Workforce Program, Joe Roybal is protecting and increasing wildlife habitat along the Truckee River by planting native trees and replacing and improving above ground irrigation systems. All of his work, alongside the other crew members, is improving the riverbanks along the Truckee in Nevada. The program not only conducts restorative vegetation management, but provides meaningful professional experiences, helps develop participants’ skillsets, and gives career support to individuals with barriers to employment. In short, Joe gets an opportunity to make the Truckee River a better place while working to turn his life around.

Getting to Know Program Crew Member: Joe Roybal

Joe Roybal was born in Los Angeles and moved to San Diego, and then Topaz Lake, with his family. He worked as a custodian for the school district for 17 years. When he lost his job, his life took a downward spiral and he found himself without a home.

Through his custodian job, for many years Joe enjoyed the satisfaction of making his world cleaner and tidier. He “loved stripping a nasty, dirty, ugly floor, waxing it, and making it look brand new. When he was without a home, he struggled with meth, spending many of his warmer months camping along the Truckee River. Even then, he noticed the shopping carts and trash alongside the river and thought “gosh, I’d like to be able to get out there and make the river look beautiful.” 

Today, Roybal has a chance to do just that, as he works to turn his life around. It all started when he decided to apply for and was accepted into Washoe County’s Crossroads substance abuse treatment program. As a Crossroads participant, when Joe reached the work readiness stage, he applied and was hired into OTR’s Workforce Program - giving him the opportunity to build his professional skillset and prepare to support himself long-term.  

Prior to participation in this program, Joe had been out of work for eight years. When he got the opportunity to apply to the OTR’s Workforce Program he was hesitant to apply. He explains, “I didn’t have any background in forestry but was interested to learn and get back into the workforce.” Through his participation in OTR’s Workforce Program, Roybal has attended seminars on water conservation and drought-tolerant landscaping, recently he earned his chainsaw certificate, and is testing for his pesticide applicator certificate next.

On Aug 1, 2025 Joe celebrated one year clean. Every day, he’s grateful for his work along the river, his home, and the opportunity he’s had to reconnect with his daughter and continue to grow his relationship with his 4-year-old granddaughter.

In Recovery

Joe’s main motivation to get clean was to rebuild his relationship with daughter and granddaughter. He hadn’t spoken to them in years. “I didn’t think she wanted to have anything to do with me, so I kept my distance,” he explains. “I thought I was doing them a favor.” Joe had been caring for a sick friend (temporarily living with her), and in doing this his daughter learned he was alive and figured out how to get in touch with him. When she called, Joe shared, “I realized how much worry and pain I was putting my daughter through. That heartfelt conversation changed my perspective on my whole life, and the value I have in hers. I went into treatment, and got sober.”

Joe found a recovery center in Elko. After a 45-day treatment program, when the center was ready to release him, he knew that in order to stay clean, he needed a place to go. Joe’s treatment program helped him apply for Crossroads in Reno, and he’s been a part of the program even since. 

Through Washoe County’s Crossroads Program, Roybal continued to receive therapeutic support, established a primary doctor, and re-learned how to take care of himself. He’s recently moved into an apartment and is excited to have a place of his own, for the first time in years. He transitioned to the apartment gradually, at first spending his weekdays living independently and his weekends at Crossroads to acclimate. Through the outreach program at Crossroads, Joe volunteered weekly, helping provide meals to people in need. 

The Urban Tree Workforce Development Program

Roybal always has taken pride in his work and is enjoying making a difference along the  Truckee River through OTR’s Workforce Program – not only improving and tidying up the riverbank, but planting trees that will provide benefit to the community for years to come. Joe shares,  “When we do our work along the river, we get a lot of people who will come up and thank us for what we’re doing to improve the area. Some people who are homeless, living along the river, have been encouraged by the Program’s work to pick up trash. It’s cool to see.”

Additionally, through OTR’s Workforce Program, Joe’s work includes trimming back trees and shrubs to encourage new growth and improve line of sight. The trees Joe and the rest of the Workforce crew are planting will bring added shade for the river and local community for years to come.

Joe shares, “Over the summer, one of our big projects has been updating the irrigation systems at John Champion Park. We have repaired above ground irrigation lines to better support both existing trees – and prepared the park for the next round of tree planting in the fall.” This fall, community members (like you!) are invited to join Joe and his teammates in planting trees along the Truckee River. Click here for more information about how you can volunteer.

What’s Next?

Outside of his work with One Truckee River and spending time with his daughter and granddaughter, today Joe is focused on improving his fitness to get back into jogging. He’s back in touch with his brothers and sisters and, nervously, looking forward to spending Christmas with them for the first time in 14 years. He’s recognizing that while for many years he’d had patience, tolerance, kindness, and love for others – he didn’t always have it for himself. He’s learning to balance keeping what he has for others while taking care of his own needs first.

After completing the Truckee River Urban Tree Workforce Program, Roybal plans to continue to learn more about plants and horticulture by enrolling in classes at Truckee Meadows Community College. He aims to find permanent work in the field, either in Parks and Recreation or with a local landscaping company. Tara Tran, Joe Roybal’s supervisor, shares “Joe is one of the most kind-hearted people I know and I am so grateful to have him as part of this project. Joe's level headed, caring energy and infectious desire to learn make him not only an invaluable part of the team but also an absolute joy to be around. I cannot overstate how happy I am to have someone this hardworking and supportive on our crew and in my life.