"It was like hell, I was 5 years old. I stayed there until I was 7 years old," he said. It was after that that he ran away, and was picked up again only to be put in a lock down unit until he was 10.
He was then transferred to Colorado Christian Home, where he stayed until he was 14. That's when he first came downtown on the run and met the "Gutterpunks" (street kids), who soon became the family he never had.
Yearout told CNA that he found life on the streets safer, because "in the group homes they would beat me and hurt me in ways that are hard for me to talk about."
Though he rose up the street ranks fast by stealing food to feed himself and his street family, Yearout said that it hasn't been easy, and that he was never given a real chance in life, and has never been to school.
On the streets, "there are no safe places to sleep. Some nights I would sleep in a dumper to stay warm along with all the trash. And trying to find food was just as hard; no one would just give me food, I had to earn it by pan-handling – that means I had to beg for money to feed myself."
However, with the help of Cangelosi, DHM and the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, he is off the streets, and got an apartment roughly three months before coming to Rome. Yearout – who had been toothless – was also able to get a full set of dentures when he returned.
Cangelosi told CNA Oct. 27 that she first met Tree (Yearout's street name) about six years ago, and was amazed by how the street kids trusted and looked up to him, since they "usually shy away from older street people."
When asked why she thought Yearout would be a good candidate to go to Rome, Cangelosi said she believes that God is the one who chose him.
"Somebody came up behind me and gave me a hug. I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that person was to go to Rome. Until I turned around, I didn't even know it was Tree," she said.
Although it's too early to see what the fruits of the trip will be in Yearout's life, Cangelosi said for Clarissa Salazar – the first homeless person to make DHM's pilgrimage to Rome – her whole life has turned around.
"She regained full custody of both of her children two days after we returned. Within a few months she was able to land a job and has been working at the same place since," and attends a Christian Church every week.
Cangelosi said Salazar has also given up most of her street friends in order to "be a mom and raise her children in the path that they should go."
"She is an amazing woman that I look up to…I believe she has broken cycle of homelessness for herself and her family."
As for Yearout, Cangelosi believes that the bond he formed with the priest who accompanied them, Fr. Michael, will play an important role in the months ahead.
"This trip Tree questioned Father Michael over and over and over again about becoming Catholic," whereas prior to the trip "all he talked about, to us, was the Catholic conspiracy theory. So all in all, the Lord knows what he's doing."
Yearout told CNA that one of the things he wants to do now that he's back in Denver is "learn more from the Catholics and see how to make my life more like the time I spent in Rome!"
While in Rome the group attended one of Pope Francis' Wednesday general audiences. Yearout said that what struck him about the Pope is the way he helped the homeless.
"He did not turn anyone away. It was like a warm feeling inside when I was near him."
Other highlights of the trip for him were meeting new people, and visiting the Colosseum. A favorite for everyone, though, was being able to work alongside the Missionaries of Charity, washing sheets and dishes while praying the rosary.
Cangelosi said that while she expects Yearout to stay off the streets, he will also most likely continue helping those who still live there, "especially by his example of improving his life."
Although she is eager for a break, Cangelosi said that if the Lord asks her to lead another pilgrimage next year, she wouldn't hesitate to do it.
"If the Lord says go, I will go. I have no question about the finances as He always takes care of the details," she said, adding that "my love for the Lord grows deeper and deeper with each step I take."
Elise Harris was senior Rome correspondent for CNA from 2012 to 2018.