I am originally from Michigan, born and raised Catholic. Since 1998 when I got married, I have been living on Long Island where I am a stepmom to two adult children and a grandmother to two beautiful grandsons. I have my Master’s in Pastoral Counseling and Spiritual Care from Fordham University. I am a clergy sexual abuse survivor, and although I no longer consider myself part of the Catholic Church, my faith continues to be my strength. Finding Awake has been a tremendous blessing for me. I am passionate about Awake’s mission and want to contribute to providing a safe space for survivors to be heard, supported, and empowered. I know personally how painfully complicated this healing journey can be and I hope for every survivor to know that their voice has value.

I am a wife, mother, physician, mental health coach, medical missionary, and practicing Catholic living in Washington State. My specialty training in trauma-informed care has enabled me to work with trauma survivors in medical and faith settings for the past ten years. I am a survivor of complex trauma, including childhood abuse by a priest, abuse as an adult in the Church, and the experience of reporting this abuse to Church authorities. I love to travel, watch Disney princess movies, and have long conversations with friends. In my work with Awake, I want to help bring awareness to and raise up the voice of ethnic and racial minority survivors and their supporters. También me gustaría ofrecer recursos en español a los sobrevivientes.

Read Deborah’s Survivor Story here.

I am a member of a Catholic parish in the archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis, MN together with my husband. I'm a mother of five children and grandmother to six. I have worked for the last 25 years as a Physical Therapist Assistant. I was abused as an adult by a priest during a vulnerable time in my life. My experience as a survivor includes reporting my abuse to law enforcement and eventual testimony in court which resulted in the conviction and imprisonment of my abuser who is now laicized. I desire more stringent laws nationally against clergy abuse and in support of survivors. I wish to ensure that survivors receive validation and empowerment in their healing journey such as the Awake community has provided me.

I live in Durham, North Carolina with my family. Over the last thirty years I have been a school teacher, director, and foundation director. When not at school, I am passionate about my community, family, gardening, cooking, and exercising, and I’m a Philly sports fan. My wife is a vet and we love our family pets (3 dogs and 3 cats) and are happy parents of three teenage daughters. Awake has provided me with a community rooted in trust as I reclaim my dignity, worth, faith, and love for myself and community. As an Advisory Panel member I am excited to support fellow survivors in their healing journey.

Read John’s Survivor Story here.

I have served the greater Cincinnati area as a leader in Catholic adult formation for over 25 years. Most recently, I founded Magdala House where I host retreats and accompany others as mentor and spiritual director. I have a certificate in spiritual direction and am currently studying theology at the Athenaeum of Ohio. Before entering full time ministry, I worked as a statistician. My husband and I are parents to three adult sons, and I enjoy long walks in the woods with my golden retriever, Daisy May. Helping support the Awake community in its mission is an honor and privilege. I offer my own personal experiences with abuse in the Church and my formation as a spiritual director to accompany those seeking healing and to inspire transformation in the Church.

I am a husband, father of 2 adult children, businessman, practicing Catholic, and dear friend to many. Also, I am a childhood sexual abuse survivor by a member of the clergy who was a trusted friend of my parents at the time. My wife and I live in the Edgebrook neighborhood of Chicago and are parishioners of St. Mary of the Woods parish. I kept the secret for over 30 years until finally coming forward to tell my story to officials of the Archdiocese of Chicago in 2006. It is a colossal act of courage for any survivor to tell their story. In my work with Awake, I hope to help survivors feel heard, believed, accompanied, and treated with real empathy and compassion.

Read Mike’s Survivor Story here.

I am a happily married retired psychiatrist and grandfather living in Pasadena. At 14, I entered a Franciscan seminary to become a priest. However, my path changed after four years of abuse by my confessor and mentor. Instead of the priesthood, I chose medicine and earned degrees from UCLA and Stanford. Years later, I sought healing and justice by addressing the abuse through years of therapy and litigation, but I was disappointed by the Catholic Church's response. I ultimately transitioned to the Episcopal Church, drawn to inclusive community and commitment to social justice. Prayer and the Holy Spirit have been my guiding forces. I am currently in spiritual direction training planning to help others heal from similar traumas. I am honored to be a member of Awake’s Survivor Advisory Panel.

I live in Plover, Wisconsin with my husband, Rusty. We have been married for 35 years and have 6 children. I worked for the Catholic Church for more than 30 years. In 2018, I left my position in the church and went into Life Coaching. In my free time, I love being outside and am an avid hiker, cycler, and pickle baller. I care deeply about the people who have been hurt by church leaders, and I bring a unique perspective as someone who was invested in the Catholic Church since I was born and then made the decision to leave. I am grateful for the ways in which Awake has been victim centered, and I want to continue being a part of that mission where victims are heard and believed.