It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic St. Joseph Plantation Felicity Plantation gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Saint Joseph, LA is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
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“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes”
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“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July,”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude.”
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“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care”
“These are skilled professions that give wonderful care. Thank you! Special thank you to Patricia and McKinsey for you attention to detail on multiple occasions!❤️”
“Always Best has been amazing in helping me with my father who has Alzheimer's and he had a stroke so he has limited mobility. They even go the extra mile and I'd like to mention Cynthia and Tracy for their outstanding service! It truly takes a hero to do what you guys do, as this is a very difficult job that requires amazing patience.”
“My family and I love Always Best Care!”
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“I love their caring services and would recommend them to anyone wanting to age in place. Thank you Always Best Care!”
“The company is an amazing company! The staff is wonderful, and the pay is great! I would highly recommend this company.”
“Always best care caregivers are very dependable and very hard workers goes above and beyond for their clients”
“The company is TOP TIER, very flexible with my son’s school hours, always very nice. I love them! A HUGE help for me!”
“I've been working with Always Best Care for over a year now, and I can honestly say it's been an incredible experience. The support from the office staff is top-notch - they're always available to answer questions, provide guidance, and help with any issues that arise. The clients I've worked with have been wonderful, and I appreciate the care and attention the company puts into matching caregivers with clients who are a good fit. I highly recommend Always Best Care to any caregiver looking for a supportive, flexible, and rewarding work environment. Keep up the great work & thanks so much!”
“Always best senior care is a great company to work with. I've been working with Always best for a little over a year now and I absolutely love it. My clients are so sweet The company is very family oriented They don't just care about the clients they also care about the workers. My daddy was in the hospital and ended up passing away the company allowed me to take off so I could be at the hospital with my daddy, and after he passed away they allowed me to be off rest of the week.”
“Always Best Care is a commendable agency specializing in placing reliable caregivers in the homes of elderly patients. Recently, I engaged their services to find a caregiver for my grandmother, and I couldn't be more satisfied with the outcome. Cyndi Williams from Always Best Care was instrumental throughout the process. Her dependability and understanding made the entire experience smooth and reassuring. From our initial consultation to the caregiver placement, Cyndi and the staff at Always best Care ensured that my grandmother's needs were prioritized, which greatly eased what could have been a challenging transition. Thanks to Always Best Care, my grandmother is not only well cared for but also genuinely happy with her caregiver. This has brought immense relief and peace of mind to our family, knowing that she is in capable hands. Overall, I highly recommend Always Best Care for their professionalism, compassion, and commitment to providing excellent elderly care services. They have truly made a positive difference in our lives during a time of significant adjustment. Claire Breslow”
“We have been very pleased with services from Always Best Care. They are awesome! They are very thorough, punctual, caring and helpful group. Shout out to Cynthia for going the extra mile to facilitate VA help for my step father. If your loved one is in need for in home care I highly recommend this company.”
“Angela Powell is the best! She wears her scrubs, comes right in my mother’s home and gets busy doing whatever my mother needs her to do. She just takes it upon herself to do things that she sees that needs to be done. Angela has a great disposition. I can tell she loves what she does. Our family absolutely loves and appreciates Angela. Thank you to Always Best Care!!!!!”
“This agency is very caring and professional. If an issue arises they make sure it gets solved.”
“Other Always Best Care has allowed my dad and step-mother to stay in their home. These ladies quickly learned the routine that they like and take very good care of them. The office staff are so helpful and quick to find a replacement sitter if someone calls in sick. I highly recommended this agency for your loved ones”
“I am a current client of this provider Always Best Care started helping me in July, 2022. My husband needs daily care and we have been more than pleased with the caregivers that they have provided. The Staff is so professional and efficient, yet like family at the same time. Their focus is on their patients and the families. They have made my life so much easier. Highly recommend!!”
“By far the best personality for this job. Plenty of patience and a bubbly attitude. I will definitely be using her again when I’m ready to sell. I highly recommend her.”
“Summer Riggs made new homeownership a reality for our family. I highly recommend Summer Riggs!”
“Current employer I love the staff everyone is very understanding and the clients are nice and you will never find a better place to work and they are very respectful, understanding and caring bosses. They pair you up with clients that matches your personality. I really love working for this company and how they treat their employees.”
“My husband and I will be gone on a 50th anniversary vacation trip for 14 days. During that time our wonderful caregiver has agreed to be “on-call”. We are so grateful for her and there is no way we could take this trip without the peace of mind that her presence gives me! Thank you ABC for the service that your company provides and for the personal touch that you and your sister provide. Marilyn Get Outlook for iOS”
“Summer has always been excited about new homes and it shows in her work. She loves her job because she gets to find the perfect home for her clients. I highly recommend Summer to anyone looking to buy or sell a home.”
“Always Best Care was a GOD send for me. I did not worry about my Mother . I could go to work and know she was in excellent hands Very professional. Came on time. Treated us like family”
“I am a current client of this provider We've been extremely pleased with Always Best Care of Monroe. They've been very helpful and the caregiver that we have working for us is fantastic. I would give them a very high recommendation. They started in July and have done exactly what we wanted them to do for our needs, and met those needs.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Lake Bruin State Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local MarÃas Mexican Restaurant or visit The Wyeth Tootle Mansion, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Saint Joseph, LA, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Saint Joseph, LA understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Saint Joseph, LA 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Jimmy Kimmel, his family, and TV colleagues help spread holiday joy, smiles for deserving families at St. Joseph CenterLOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at one special spot in Downtown L.A. and it's thanks to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, his family and colleagues.Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, the executive producer for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" partnered with St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles for their annual Winter Wonderland Event to bring holiday cheer to families."We've be...
Jimmy Kimmel, his family, and TV colleagues help spread holiday joy, smiles for deserving families at St. Joseph Center
LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas at one special spot in Downtown L.A. and it's thanks to talk show host Jimmy Kimmel, his family and colleagues.
Jimmy Kimmel and Molly McNearney, the executive producer for "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" partnered with St. Joseph Center in Los Angeles for their annual Winter Wonderland Event to bring holiday cheer to families.
"We've been meeting a lot of the families, we brought gifts for the kids and we're decorating," said Kimmel. "I'm glad Dr. Smith you're standing in front of the tree because Guillermo and I just did a very bad job. It's very 'Charlie Brown-esque.' But I think when it's dark it'll look really good. Right, Guillermo?"
The "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" team has partnered with St. Joseph Center since 2019. The nonprofit organization supports low-income and unhoused individuals and families through housing, mental health services, education and much more.
"This site represents the symbolic change that we want to make," said CEO & President Dr. Ryan Smith. "We want to bring people inside. We want to make sure they have transitional housing. We want to make sure they move on to permanent housing and we're so grateful for folks like Jimmy and Molly and the entire St. Joseph Center staff who are making a difference."
Falesha Greeno has been on the receiving end of help from St Joseph Center.
"It's making the kids happy if nothing else. And the decorating and stuff," said Greeno. "Because this could be depressing going through this. So, it helps us to build us up a little bit."
St. Joseph Center honored Kimmel and McNearney with their own street signs and a kid's area they call "Kimmel corner." The feeling of reaching out and giving back can get emotional.
"I think it mostly is seeing our family, our 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' family here intermingling with the St. Joseph Center family and the families here," said McNearney. "I'm really proud of the group of people we work with. They're just good, decent human beings."
This site alone has transitioned about 60 families into permanent housing, and they say there's nearly 20 more locations just like this one. Their goal is to make sure no family is left on the streets.
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| Game Start: 12/8/2024, 12:00 AM UTCLatest Odds: STJ -4.5 ; O/U 151.5La Salle vs St. Joseph's PredictionThe La Salle Explorers will be on the road Saturday with a game in Philadelphia against Saint Joseph. La Salle has six wins and three losses on the year coming into Saturday following a bad 14 point loss in their last outing. Offensively the Explorers have been top tier averaging 70.1 points on 43.5% of the floor. Defensively La Salle has been mediocre allowing 73.2 points p...
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Game Start: 12/8/2024, 12:00 AM UTC
Latest Odds: STJ -4.5 ; O/U 151.5
The La Salle Explorers will be on the road Saturday with a game in Philadelphia against Saint Joseph. La Salle has six wins and three losses on the year coming into Saturday following a bad 14 point loss in their last outing. Offensively the Explorers have been top tier averaging 70.1 points on 43.5% of the floor. Defensively La Salle has been mediocre allowing 73.2 points per game and gave up 82 points in their last loss. In the loop with our College Basketball Picks.
Corey McKeithan leads La Salle this season averaging 19.2 points and 3.1 assists per game. Jahlil White is second on the team every 11.8 points, while Daeshon Shepherd chips in a third best 11.7 points per game. Big man Demetrius Lilly averages 8.3 points and adds a team high 7.8 rebounds per game.
The Saint Joseph's Hawks stay at home Saturday with five wins on the year after dropping two of the last three following an 8 point loss to Princeton in their last outing. Offensively Saint Joseph's has carried their load this season averaging 74.3 points on 42.5% shooting but scored just 69 points in their last loss. Defensively St. Joseph has done the work allowing 69.5 points per game but gave up 77 points against Princeton.
Xazyvier Brown leads the St. Joseph offense this season averaging 15.2 points and 4.9 assists per game. Big man Rasheer Fleming is second on the roster averaging 14.9 points to go along with a team high 8.9 rebounds. Erik Reynolds II averages 14.4 points and Derek Simpson chips in a fourth best 8.9 points per game this season. Dasear Haskins Is 4th on the team this season averaging 5.9 points in nearly 17 minutes per game.
Both teams have played well this season up to this point with Saint Joseph will have the edge on Saturday. The Hawks will be in front of their home fans and have the better defense. Look for Saint Josephs to stifle a struggling La Salle team Saturday leading to the win and cover at home. Final Score Prediction, Saint Joseph’s Hawks win and cover 75-66.
La Salle
La Salle are 2-4 ATS in their last 6 games.
The total has gone OVER in 7 of La Salle's last 8 games.
La Salle are 6-3 SU in their last 9 games.
St. Joseph's
The total has gone UNDER in 9 of Saint Joseph's' last 12 games.
Saint Joseph's are 4-2 SU in their last 6 games.
BROWNSVILLE — Diego Da La Cruz has dreamt of playing football at a high level since he started playing the sport at just eight years old.The senior offensive lineman spent the early part of his football career chasing that dream in Mexico. In 2022, De La Cruz made a decision for his future, making the move to the United States as a sophomore and joining the Brownsville St. Joseph football team.The move has paid dividends for De La Cruz as he evolved into one of the top offensive line prospects not only in South Texas, but...
BROWNSVILLE — Diego Da La Cruz has dreamt of playing football at a high level since he started playing the sport at just eight years old.
The senior offensive lineman spent the early part of his football career chasing that dream in Mexico. In 2022, De La Cruz made a decision for his future, making the move to the United States as a sophomore and joining the Brownsville St. Joseph football team.
The move has paid dividends for De La Cruz as he evolved into one of the top offensive line prospects not only in South Texas, but in the state.
From earning all-state honors as a junior, to helping lead the Bloodhounds to a 10-2 season this year, De La Cruz has accomplished a lot since arriving in the states.
He added NCAA Division I athlete Wednesday, making his childhood dreams come true by signing his national letter of intent to the University of Texas in El Paso during a ceremony at Brownsville St. Joseph.
UTEP is an NCAA DI program which competes in Conference USA.
“It is a moment I hoped would come true,” De La Cruz said. “It is something I always dreamed of. I’m living my dream right here. It is something amazing. To have all these people surround me and support me, it’s a nice moment. It is a memorable moment.”
De La Cruz has been an impact player for the Bloodhounds since stepping foot on the gridiron for the program.
Listed at 6-foot-4, 315 pounds, the St. Joseph senior towered over most on Friday nights. His looks were far from deceiving, with De La Cruz playing just as big as he stands, dominating opponents with brute force and nastiness in the trenches.
De La Cruz also demonstrated his athleticism during his tenure with the Bloodhounds, playing both sides of the ball throughout his career. No play displayed his athletic ability than his one handed interception during a TAPPS DII District 3 contest against Victoria St. Joseph earlier this year.
“I started playing when I was eight years old,” De La Cruz said. “I started playing in Mexico, did one year of high school over there and then I came here. That’s when I realized I might have a chance. I sacrificed a lot of things. Changed my lifestyle. Just changed everything that I did and kept working even when things weren’t going my way. Just that discipline got me here.”
De La Cruz’s size and athleticism, along with his play on the field began garnering him attention from Division I programs as a junior.
None, however, felt like home like UTEP for De La Cruz, with the senior announcing his commitment to the program prior to the start of the 2024 campaign before putting pen to the paper Wednesday.
“UTEP just felt like home since the day they called me and how they approached recruiting and how they kept in contact with me,” De La Cruz said. “I went to visit three times, two unofficial and one official. It just felt genuine everything they did for me and my family. That’s something I cared about. It just felt like home, like a family.”
De La Cruz leaves the Bloodhounds program with a decorated career in tow. During his tenure at Brownsville St. Joseph, the team accrued 23 wins, including a 10-2 campaign this year.
The senior offensive lineman was also a key piece during the team’s run to the TAPPS DII District 3 title and a spot in the TAPPS DII regional round this past season.
De La Cruz becomes the first Brownsville St. Joseph athlete to earn a full-ride NCAA DI scholarship at the football level at least in the past decade.
“My message to any young kid is I don’t think it matters where you’re from,” De La Cruz said. “If you believe in yourself and your dreams, we were all kids and had dreams, you just have to push for it and never stop believing. You have to trust yourself. If you don’t trust in yourself nobody is going to believe in you. You have to believe in yourself. That is going to show confidence and give you that support and you’ll go far.”
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