I served in the California Army National Guard from 1991 - 2016. Upon discharge under honorable conditions, I moved to Lake Elsinore where my life took a turn and found myself homeless. In 2021, I sought the help of a local homeless advocate group who helped me enroll in an outpatient program for drug addiction in which I achieved in October 2021. I completed an online training course through CCAPP for RADT to prepare myself for a career in drug and alcohol counseling.