"Treat a man as he is and that is what he remains, treat a man as he can be and that is what he becomes." –Goethe.

Michael is a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor who strives to guide and support people in and through the arduous experience of recovery and healing. Michael has earned several Associates Degrees and is entering a bachelor's program in the fall.

While serving a '35 year to life' sentence, Michael went within to face his past in order to find someone who was lost long ago: himself. Today, Michael is free after 25 years of incarceration, has found healing and peace, and is more authentically in line with who he is as a human being.

While incarcerated, Michael was provided the opportunity to enter the Occupational Mentor Certification Program. He excelled within the program and has demonstrated that change is possible for anybody willing to be honest with themselves, open to doing something different, and willing to work through the difficulties that is life.