My Story as an Advocate

I come from a background shaped by adversity, resilience, and transformation. I grew up facing years of bullying, emotional neglect, and mental health challenges including bipolar II disorder, major depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But even in the chaos, one moment from my childhood stands out as the beginning of my calling to stand up for others.

I was in the fourth grade when my sister came out to me. At that age, I did not fully understand everything she was going through, but I knew one thing clearly. I loved her, and I would stand by her no matter what. In that moment, something shifted in me. I realized that not everyone had a safe space to be themselves, and I wanted to be that space. That moment planted the seed of advocacy in my heart, long before I even had the words for it.

As I grew older and faced my own battles with trauma and mental illness, that seed took root. I began to see how systems often fail people like in my community, especially those who are marginalized because of race, identity, mental health, or circumstance. As a white man, I am fully aware of the privilege that comes with my skin color. I do not take that lightly, and I do not embrace it. I have seen firsthand how systems treat people of color differently, how voices are silenced, opportunities are denied, and justice is not equally applied. My commitment as an advocate is to use whatever privilege I have to stand beside those who are pushed to the margins and to amplify voices that are too often ignored. I believe true advocacy means showing up, speaking out, and taking action, especially when it is uncomfortable.

Becoming a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist, Community Health Worker, and Family Group Decision Making Trainer allowed me to transform my lived experiences into a mission to empower others. I use my voice, my story, and my platform to lift up those who are too often silenced or pushed aside.

Today, I advocate for mental health awareness, trauma-informed care, racial equity, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and family healing. I stand for justice and dignity for all people, especially those who have been historically excluded or oppressed. As a husband and father to eight incredible children, biological, adopted, and step. I lead with empathy and a deep commitment to creating safe, supportive spaces for individuals and families to heal and thrive.