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This is not how your story ends, it's just the beginning.
peer specialist
MEET SKYLAR LOVELACE
WHY DO YOU DO THIS WORK?
I do this work because I’m passionate about helping others and creating meaningful, lasting change. I believe the choices we make today have the power to shape the future, and working within the community allows me to be part of that process. Every conversation and connection matters. I want to help others feel confident in who they are, informed in the decisions they make, and hopeful about what lies ahead. Being able to support others and positively impact their path is what makes this work so meaningful to me.
HOW HAS THIS WORK IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
This work has been incredibly transformative in my life. After witnessing people I care about struggle, it is deeply rewarding to now be part of helping others and making a difference. I’m passionate about creating a space where people feel supported, understood, and not alone. This work has strengthened my sense of purpose and continues to shape who I am, both personally and professionally.
Prevention cordinator
MEET CASEY MOORE
WHY DO YOU DO THIS WORK?
I do this work because I believe every young person deserves someone who will meet them where they are and remind them of what they're capable of. Supporting teens during difficult moments is incredibly rewarding, and I hope to be someone they can trust as they navigate life's challenges. Knowing that even one conversation can make a difference inspires me every day.
HOW HAS THIS WORK IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
Although I've only been with Hope Above Fear for a short time, I can already see the impact this work is having on my life. Growing up with parents who struggled with addiction wasn't easy, and being able to offer young people the support I needed as a teenager has been healing in ways I never expected. This work reminds me that our past doesn't define our future, and I'm grateful to be part of helping others discover hope, healing, and possibilities.
LEAD VOLUNTEER
MEET DYLAN KARIHER
WHY DO YOU DO THIS WORK?
I do this work to create the change I want to see in my community. I would have loved to have had something like Hope Above Fear when I was in middle or high school, and I want to be the person I needed back then. There is hope that fuels my passion for the work I do and the change I believe is possible. Hope will get us there, but work will get us through. As James Baldwin said, “Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.” I believe that the hope we have for change, and the actions we take to pursue it, are what drive this work forward.
HOW HAS THIS WORK IMPACTED YOUR LIFE?
This work has opened a new sense of beauty and purpose in my life. So many people helped me become the person I am today, and being able to return that energy to someone who needs it feels incredibly meaningful. Through this work, I’ve met some of my greatest friends, mentors, and inspirations. I love the people I get to meet, help, and educate through community outreach and youth engagement. Working toward our shared goals has helped shape the person I am becoming, and I’m grateful to be part of something that creates real change in the lives of others.