What is YOUR WHY?
“Where your talents and the needs of the world cross, there lies your vocation.” (Aristotle)
The only thing I can say is that God has planted this Mission in my heart. Having experienced being in the grip of addiction and also having experienced the life-changing journey of recovery, I am blessed to walk alongside others and share my experience, strength and hope. There is pain in the world, and if God has blessed me with me some gifts and experiences that can be a part of helping alleviate that pain, it is joy to be standing in that intersection.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
One thing I love about ministry is the way it blesses not just the one who is served, but the one who serves. This happens for me all of the time here at the Mission. When I share with the men and women, when we break bread together, or just walk alongside one another, my spirit is lifted, they share a word that brings things back into focus, they love me as I love them. What a gift!
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I love to travel! Love seeing God’s big, diverse world! I’ve been to 20 countries and 2 US territories and it has changed who I am as a person.
I’m an alcoholic – in recovery for 17 years. Maybe not extraordinary, but important for my work here.
What is YOUR WHY?
After working for two private “for-profit” organizations for over 30 years, I was and am grateful for the opportunity to take what I have learned and apply my strengths and experience to help advance the mission and vision of the Westminster Rescue Mission. It has been my dream to not just serve a non-profit, but one that matched my beliefs, values and of course based on where God lead me. The work that is done at the Mission is critically important to our community – which is also my community where I have lived for 32 years. I feel incredibly blessed to be a part of the Mission where a difference is made in people’s lives every day.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
It blesses me when we come together as a team, develop innovative solutions and make them happen – by creating efficiencies, communicating clearly and providing tools so that our staff can focus more on our core mission… helping men and women in recovery, feeding the community and providing other resources through our Mission Marketplace store.
What is YOUR WHY?
Sharing the goodness of the message of the gospel. Being able to impart that message through kindness and consistent interaction.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
It blesses me to meet people where they are and to get to know them and their stories. I am energized by seeing the persistent love of Christ play a role in transforming people.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
Can rap the gospel.
Have a unique laugh.
What is YOUR WHY?
I love working at the Mission because I feel blessed to be able to make a difference in peoples lives.
The Mission allows me to express my faith freely and gives me a sense of work and spiritual fulfillment, something that makes the Mission a unique work place.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Making a difference their lives both physically, spiritually and emotionally.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I am an immigrant from Kenya and I can fluently speak 3 languages ( English, Swahili, and a native language-Luhya.
What is YOUR WHY?
It is my personal mission to work with individuals with human service needs and to improve their life outcomes related to their mental, social, health or spiritual needs.
I have dedicated my career to the service of those most in need in our community. The Mission allows me the opportunity to continue this life’s work.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Blessings are everyday feedback of gratitude from clients and staff.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I was first place in my archery class in high school.
What is YOUR WHY?
Help introduce others to the same God of grace
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
Watching men meet God, find sobriety and restore relationships
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I am an avid Philly sports fan and Star Wars nerd
What is YOUR WHY?
I love identifying strengths in others they may not see in themselves. Then once they are revealed, applying those unique talents into employment opportunities. A person can choose to give themselves a second chance but life is sometimes not as kind. Overcoming obstacles to obtain live sustaining employment is a necessity for many people on the road to a second chance.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I enjoy seeing them experience people telling the clients they are valuable. The reaction of the clients to be in an atmosphere of encouragement is really amazing when they accept it.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I will try just about anything once just to convince myself I don’t ever want to do it again.
I have worked in serving others for all my adult life. From working in group fitness, owning a gym, working in a Thrift Store with programs for the community and homeless, and now here at the Westminster Rescue Mission. I am 90% extrovert!
What is YOUR WHY?
Following an 18+ year career in the book distribution industry, and as a person in long-term recovery, I was compelled to pursue a career change in 2005, exploring opportunities to apply my experience and passion for recovery. This journey led me to the addiction treatment field in the non-profit sector, where I found that my skills and talents lent themselves to the roles and functions of fundraising and communications. The Mission’s treatment approach and philosophies aligned with my own and when I was offered an opportunity to join their team, it felt as if the final piece in a jigsaw puzzle had settled into place. Working with our donors and other funders to obtain the resources to help those in need has been one of the most rewarding experience of my life – both professionally and personally.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
There is nothing that I enjoy, or that reaffirms my own recovery, more than sharing my experience, strength and hope with the clients at the Addiction Healing Center. Whether by leading a 12-Step meeting with the men, or through one-on-one conversations with them, I see these interactions as opportunities to be a positive influence and, hopefully, impact their lives for the better – whether for just a moment or an entire lifetime. You never know when or how a simple word of hope and encouragement might make all the difference for someone who is struggling.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
Probably the most extraordinary thing about me is that I somehow survived a 25-year addiction to opioids.
I have been blessed with a wonderful family: I am one of 5 siblings, the youngest and only male. Uncle to 7 nieces and nephews, as well as one great-nephew. Father to one daughter and grandfather to her two sons. And I am the doggie-daddy to Kokomo Hurley (goes by Koko).
I am a descendant through marriage from Alexander Hamilton and by blood from two different 17th century mayors of New York City (de Peyster) as well as the first three mayors of Albany, NY (Schuyler, Abeel, Bancker).
The more interesting (surprising?) tidbits are in my autobiography, “Pilgrimage to Exile: The Memoirs of an Unlikely Addict” which is in manuscript, publishing date TBD!
What is YOUR WHY?
My WHY is to be my true self, uninhibited by fear. I want to inspire others to live authentically and with passion. To walk through life with an open hand, being available to form relationships and help others by leading by example. To be a loving, caring and understanding husband, to my beautiful wife so that as a couple we can live out our life to the fullest.
To raise a family of caring, passionate, and independent children who will find success in their own way and with integrity.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I have travelled around the world and have been around a multitude of cultures. Seeing firsthand the impact that life has on different regions, gives me a distinct outlook on life. I enjoy being able to share my experiences and stories with others, hoping that it may help them cope with what they are going through. Life is Life no matter
What is YOUR WHY?
I love that we reach out to our local community to meet their needs in so many different ways – practical, physical, spiritual, home life, counseling, professional development, continuing care and more. We see and help to heal and transform the whole person.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I love seeing how excited they are as they walk a renewed life. Even knowing there will be challenges ahead they have a hope for how they will now go along their journey.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
Study American Sign Language… working on becoming and interpreter
What is YOUR WHY?
I felt it was a time in my life that God called me to WRM, to be part of this amazing team. The compassion that we feel for each other as a family. Drawn to those that are in need of help.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I enjoy working in my flower garden, spending time with my family, being at home to enjoy the peaceful nature of the outdoors and waterfalls. I am partial to the Mountains -hence I grew up in the foothills of the Adirondack Mountains.
What is Your Why?
In the eternal words of Gandhi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
I feel very lucky to be apart of of the WRM. It is an amazing organization that doesn’t just talk the talk they walk the walk. The feeling I get when I’m handing out food to someone knowing I just made their day is an indescribable feeling.
Tell us something interesting or extraordinary about you?
I was a pastry chef at Walt Disney World in Florida.
What’s something that blesses you (or you enjoy) as you interact with clients and the community at WRM?
My training as a marriage and family therapist enables me to not only work with our clients, but I am also able to bring in their significant others, family members, and others so that we can work on all of the various issues and challenges our clients are experiencing. Being able to work with our clients on this deep level and their allowing me to enter their world in these intimate ways is both an honor and a blessing.
