And so it begins

A few years back as I sat at a table across from a longtime friend at a friendly meeting for lunch, I could never imagine that it would spark a journey that has greatly impacted my life.

Hello, I’m Kevin, the Vice President of Clearview works, and I’d like to give you a quick introduction to myself and why I felt a pull to become involved with this organization. I first was introduced to the idea of what would turn into Clearview Works a number of years ago while working with the woman that you may know as Alice, but I met and know as Lalenya. We were working at a manufacturing facility together. Working closely together we would often talk about many different things throughout the days. I always enjoyed listening to her about her dreams, thoughts, and plans for an idea and dream that would later inspire the creation of Clearview Works and the work that is now being done. Over time I heard more and more about it, sitting down for lunches, meeting after work to hear more, looking through her research, I quickly decided I needed and wanted to be involved with this undertaking. It called to me. I too had been slowly realizing that over the years I was dealing with my own demons and types of traumas that I had not addressed. So, in a way this is also the start of my healing journey.

I have always been one who has wanted to help others, often being pegged as someone with "white knight syndrome" which as a young man, I will admit I did have. The urge to help those in distress no matter the cost. But as I have grown and started to open my eyes to things, I started to realize some of those asking for help do in fact need it; others just want to take advantage of those willing to help. This was a hard and long lesson for me to learn. I have changed the way I look at things, learning from the lessons life put in front of me, now I don’t just rush in to help them because they ask, but I better understand WHY they are asking. Is it because they truly need the help? Are they willing to take my help and continue to push themselves forward? Are they asking for the help because they are choosing to not do the work themselves and want to take the credit once it’s done? This also changed the approach I take to helping. I don’t so much just do what I’m asked to help with, but rather help guide them through the problem, make them think with me on what the solution may be so that they can also learn. I enjoy helping others in many ways and when I can. This is a big part of what has called me to this project. I know there are many out there who need help, need guidance and want healing from the trauma and pain they still carry with them.

The ability to be a part of something that can reach a large number of people excites me. Knowing that no matter how many people we reach, as long as we are able to help a few out and give them a fighting chance to find themselves, to move on and look at where they are vs. where they were and know it’s a better place brings me joy. I want to be able to build something that will stand the test of time and be passed on to the next generation to continue to grow and help many others. The world has become a confusing place; people always looking for that one thing to fix everything, the quick answer. There are none. Everything takes time, effort, and a willingness to change, but I feel,with my help, the help of this team, and the many others out there, we can push for that change and make it happen.