Eric Clayton Perez proves that having a mission in your life can make it so fulfilling. Besides his work in the sales and marketing industry, Perez devotes his time to leading his non-profit organization, The Stranded Astronaut, which he founded about a year and a half ago.
Operating all over the Chicagoland area, the intention with this organization is to get the larger community to aid the homeless and the less fortunate.
“One of my big goals in life is to get people selflessly involved with helping others and give back to the community,” Perez said. “I like having several purposes in life, and service is something that I hold in high regard.”
The name “The Stranded Astronaut” reflects the idea of those who have been forgotten and are struggling in the universe, while at the same time inviting the notion of we as people coming to help them through their time of need.
Perez explained that his passion for community service stems as far back as his youth. He stated that he and his family would always help others in need. One of the non-profit organization’s first acts was going down lower Wacker Drive in Chicago and donating important supplies like tents, sleeping bags, and thermal socks.
“When the pandemic started, while things overall started going downhill, it reinvigorated a strong sense of duty to help those who were suffering during that time,” Perez explained. “When I first began The Stranded Astronaut and formed my vision for it, I had to overcome many hurdles, but none of that slowed me and my team down. If anything, it made us stronger!”
Perez explained that getting up early to plan out his entire day and motivate himself mentally and physically is how he approaches every day. For instance, he maps out his daily schedules while doing cardio. He hits the ground running, literally.
“Life is all about balance and motivation,” Perez said. “I’m all about health, both physically and mentally. Through The Stranded Astronaut, I learned that going at my own pace is a great way to achieve my goals.”
Perez stated that in his years of service and work, he hopes that those he interacts with understand how important it is to be a part of the community and paying it forward. He also strongly encourages the idea of collaboration, having cooperated with other local non-profits like Housing Opportunities, Inc. in Valparaiso.
“To me, community service means helping those in need any way you can, in whatever way you can,” Perez explained. "In fact, I’d say the people who inspire me the most are the ones who I work with. They are mission-driven individuals just like me. I’m fortunate with the life that I live and the family that I have, so I’m able to work for those who have struggled. It’s a really good feeling.”
When he is not working or bolstering The Stranded Astronaut’s efforts, Perez is spending his time in the gym or in the outdoors, pursuing his lifelong mission of health and prosperity.