In 1994, I was an Army veteran who had served my country in the Gulf War and returned home with undiagnosed PTSD, a family history of addiction (including my father’s death from heroin overdose when I was 12 years old), and a perception of limited options. I eventually turned to substance use as a coping mechanism to deal with life on life’s terms. After 15 years as an active addict, I knew life had to offer something more than addiction and its consequences. I dug deeply into spirituality, clinical therapy, and willpower to make changes within and conquer the beast.

After finding sobriety, I recognized substance use disorder as a social issue just as much as it is a chemical and psychological issue. Changing one’s environment can help change one’s outcome. While my environment and outcome had changed, I looked around Baltimore City and saw that many others were still in despair. I founded a non profit organization called iCARRe Foundation to focus on recovering individuals and families from Mental/Behavioral Health issues by providing housing, mentorship, and education targeted towards workforce development, nutrition, financial literacy, and entrepreneurial growth. In the past 9 years, iCARRe’s holistic approach to battling and preventing addiction has aided thousands in their journeys to Healthy, Healed, and Whole lifestyles.

Everyday iCARRe is impacting lives; many of whom have been cast aside and considered lost causes. We believe, “As long as there is life there is hope.” Individuals and families with mental/behavioral health issues need your support!