Meet Us Monday: Trevor Barnes, Peer House Leader

       Meet Trevor, a Peer House Leader, who has completed the REAL LIFE Program. Before coming to REAL LIFE, he lost custody of his son. His attorney recommended this program to him. Trevor was ready to turn his life around and REAL LIFE gave him that opportunity.

      He had been to several rehab programs before, but this was the first time he felt he was ready and that he was doing it for himself. He says REAL LIFE gave him structure, tools and resources necessary for his recovery. He was a loner before, but the comradery of the men in the house provided support he didn’t even know he needed. Between meals, working out, and hanging out, Trevor has found lasting friendships in the REAL House to help him along in his recovery.

      Trevor shared that his Pathway Navigator, Melissa Trinidad, is also a source of support and encouragement. She helps him stay on task and checks in with him. Melissa holds him accountable to his commitments and goals.

     Trevor’s employment and education has been expanded upon since joining REAL LIFE. He works for a local company which does mainly residential construction and remodeling, as the head carpenter and supervisor. Trevor also has his contractor’s license and his own carpentry company, Triton Home Services, LLC, which does residential remodeling.

     He is also exploring avenues to help other people. He is currently working on becoming a Certified Personal Trainer. As a personal trainer, he would like to help others with diet, exercise and martial arts. He would also like to become a real estate agent to be able to provide safe houses for others.

     Most importantly, he is working on visitation rights with his son and taking the steps necessary to regain custody of his son, when appropriate.

     Trevor would like to be an example to other young men to show them that if he can succeed, so can they. Trevor’s advice is there is no gray area between what is right and wrong. You have to want the recovery and be willing to put in the work. If he can do it, so can others.