From spider bites to homelessness to HIV, one New Yorker turned his pain into purpose — helping others find shelter, recovery, and hope.

Every community has its unsung heroes — the ones who rise from hardship and quietly dedicate their lives to lifting others. At 62, Francisco Quintanilla is exactly that. His life has been marked by battles that would have defeated most, yet he has emerged not just as a survivor, but as a man thriving in his purpose: creating beauty and offering hope to those who have lost their way.

In 2003, Quintanilla left New York City for Wilton Manors, seeking a fresh start. He soon landed work as a handyman, landscaper, and personal assistant for a Palm Beach client who admired his grit and his surprising past — Quintanilla had once been connected to Versace.

But fate intervened. While packing boxes one day, he was bitten by a brown recluse spider. At first, he brushed it off, but the next morning he could barely walk. The weeks that followed were a blur of ER visits and pneumonia that nearly took his life. The bite’s effects lingered, his immune system collapsed, and eventually he was diagnosed HIV positive. For three years, he was bedridden and unable to walk.

While many would have turned to despair, Quintanilla chose differently. He prayed for strength and sought a new purpose. That purpose revealed itself through jewelry-making. Guided by his mother, Quintanilla launched FQCreations, crafting bracelets, necklaces, and rings that reflected resilience as much as beauty. When I met Quintanilla, I was drawn to a striking black-and-blue bracelet — a reminder that beauty can emerge even from the darkest battles.

Just as his business found its footing, the COVID-19 pandemic struck. He was robbed and left homeless for three days. But those days ignited something deeper. Soon after, Mike Aulbach of Project SOAR recognized Francisco’s resilience and asked him to help run The LGBTQ Home, part of the Project SOAR network of recovery residences.

Project SOAR: A Lifeline in Recovery

Founded in 2010, Project SOAR Recovery Residences serves the Fort Lauderdale and Wilton Manors community by providing safe, sober, and structured transitional housing for men battling substance use and behavioral health challenges.

Residents live in supportive homes where they follow a structured routine that includes 12-step programs, house meetings, curfews, accountability checks, and access to life-skills training and job support. Amenities include furnished rooms, Wi-Fi, laundry, and proximity to transit and recovery meetings.

For more information, Project SOAR’s admissions office can be reached at 954-900-9980 or toll-free at 800-922-0381. Their headquarters is located at 1231 NE 15th Avenue, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33304.

Quintanilla embraced the chance to lead at Project SOAR.

For more information to purchase jewelry, visit Francisco’s Instagram: FQcreation@Instagram>.

Or call 954-529-1929.