After losing his father at a young age, Tony Carrillo Jr. was raised by a resilient single mother who worked hard to provide for her family. As a teenager, Tony fell in with the wrong crowd and eventually was kicked out of high school. Unsure of what his future might hold, he discovered PAVE East Texas and took an important step toward changing the direction of his life: earning his GED.

That achievement opened doors Tony had never imagined. His journey led him from warehouse work into community service, property management, real estate, and eventually ministry. Today, Tony is a licensed Realtor, an assistant pastor, and a devoted husband and father whose example has inspired his family and community.

Tony’s story has now come full circle as he serves on PAVE East Texas’s Board of Directors. PAVE helped Tony gain the tools to “pave the way” toward a life of purpose, leadership, and service.