Debbie Montoya: Loving, caring, compassionate

When you go to the monthly Saturday fundraiser sale at the Lighthouse Mission -- first Saturday of most months -- you'll see her helping people with prices, giving directions, making deals and other tasks.

Debbie Montoya is busy those sale days and busy most days at The Lighthouse.

It's her job.

Even as The News was interviewing her Wednesday, she had things that needed to be done, and yet, she had time to talk about her life.

Q: Who is Debbie Montoya?

A: A loving, caring, compassionate, non-judgmental, very objective person.

Q: So you were born in Clovis?

A: At the hospital at Thornton and 13th streets, in 1958.

When I was 5 years old the family moved to California. The Jackson 5 was on the same train.

We lived in Venice, Calif., where I graduated from Venice High School in 1976.

After high school I was a "free spirit," let's just say that.

I was a telephone operator, "old school," using a cord board, like Lily Tomlin on "Laugh-in" (a 1960s TV show).

With the "Rodney King riots" of 1992, they happened in our neighborhood, our family chose to return to Clovis.

Q: Speaking of family, tell us about yours.

A: There's my mom, Viola Montoya, a strong woman. She worked at the Friendship Center for many years.

I have sisters and brothers, I am one of five girls and three boys.

I have two daughters: Katherine who lives in Gilbert, Ariz., with Zoe and Zareus my grandkids; my daughter Tina lives here with her children Jonathan, Alex, Sasha, Andrew and Matthew.

I have three great-grandkids who are my joy.

Q: You do a lot at The Lighthouse Mission.

A: I wear many hats. For the past 13 years I've been The Lighthouse Mission homeless shelter manager, the secretary.

For 10 years I was the women's recovery program manager.

I'm also an Uber driver, Door Dash deliverer, surrogate grandma, surrogate teacher, counselor and therapist.

This isn't a job, it's my purpose and my life.

Q: How do you describe the people who come to the mission for help?

A: Broken, hurting, addicted and lost.

Q: Do you believe there is a common cause of people's problems?

A: I strongly feel a common cause is the lack of dads leading the family and lack of Jesus in the home.

Q: What do you say to those who may say, "These people should pull themselves up by their own bootstraps?"

A: I say, "Hey, you've been in darkness, and it didn't work. You need to put this in Jesus' hands." That's it. Simple.

Q: What is your favorite food?

A: Richard Gomez's menudo and posole, the best in Clovis. (Gomez is founder and director of the mission).

Q: Do you have a favorite saying?

A: What I thought was my worst day, was actually my best day.

What you think is your worst day, just may be your best day.