S7 Ep5 - Turning A First Responder's PTSD Into Hope For His Peers - Rich Alvarez
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In his career as a police officer & corrections officer, Rich Alvarez has had many near death experiences including escaping gunfire and being choked to near death by an assailant. As a victim of attempted murder, his own suicide attempts, surviving detox from drinking, weaning off mental health medications and being imprisoned himself, it's clear that Rich was kept alive because God has a mission for him. He now serves first responders who put their lives in harms way every day serving their communities, many dealing with PTSD in their own lives as a result. God has given him a heart for prison ministries, ex-con work readiness programs and nonprofit administration. Rich has founded the Peacekeeper Initiative, which helps first responders deal with PTSD outside of the workplace by partnering with peer mentors and doing wellness & adventure activities in the outdoors. Hear the amazing story of how God used Rich's suffering and brokenness, even when he pushed God away, to heal and equip him to help others in the work he does today.
Commercial Spot: For more information about the Peacekeeper Initiative or to support with a donation, go to: www.peacekeeperusa.org or contact Rich Alvarez at: rich@peacekeeperusa.org
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72 episode