Early Life and Family Background:
My name is Josue Rivera and I am a 49 year old Hispanic male father of 6 children. My wife and I have 3 currently at home. Three are adults now and we have 5 grandchildren. My 2 young daughters are on the autism spectrum and challenges are a daily occurrence.
My brother, sister and I were raised in Puerto Rico by a single mother on government assistance. My father suffered from chronic drug addiction and spent a lot of his years incarcerated. My mother moved us around to different states a lot. At age 10 my brother introduced me to prostitution with older men for money in Puerto Rico. This experience was an interesting chapter in my life. At that time we also stayed with my grandmother (father’s side) for several years. That household had 7 uncles and 6 aunts. Most of my uncles sold drugs or were addicted and most of my aunts were addicted to drugs and obtained money for drugs through prostitution.
I spent some time of my childhood in Puerto Rico until the age of 12. I was incarcerated in Puerto Rico as a kid at age 11 for 3 months. Shortly after the age of 12 I traveled alone from Puerto Rico to Springfield Massachusetts and became homeless for 8 months. During that time, I stayed many times at runaway programs, on friend’s sofas, and some nights under a bridge next to a bus station in Springfield. I supported myself with prostitution while being homeless.
My mother and I lost contact until we reconnected after she arrived from Puerto Rico when I was 13 years old. Looking back at my childhood I vividly remember rough times of not having any food and I having to “hustle” to bring daily food to our house.
Education:
While incarcerated in 1993 in Massachusetts I took GED classes and when I was released in 1996 I obtained my GED. Shortly after I became employed by an Addiction Recovery Service Agency and became a Residential Drug Abuse Counselor until 2007.
I also obtained a License in Alcohol and Drug Counseling I in 2003
I attended STCC and Springfield College Human Services School for 3 years but have not completed a degree.
Personal Life:
I’ve always been passionate about helping others overcome their struggles in addiction and trauma.
From 1996 to 2007 I worked at a residential addiction recovery program as a counselor, case manager and supervisor.
In 2018 to 2020 Ive volunteered as a Sterring Committee member and group facilitator for Hogar C.R.E.A International of Orlando.
I’ve also conducted Identity building workshops for the justice impacted youth at AMI kids Volusia and have provided empowerment workshops for entrepreneurs at the Self Development Group of Orlando Florida.
Significant Life Events:
Trauma seeing my father inject heroin intravenously and get injured as a result.
Seeing my mother assaulted at age 7.
Prostitution at age 10 and age 13.
Incarcerated at a juvenile jail in Puerto Rico at age 11.
Homelessness at age 13.
Incarcerated at age 18.
Personal Values and Beliefs:
Values:
Family, Relationships, Contribution, Health, Fitness and Financial Security
Core beliefs:
We are all doing the best we can with the resources we currently have.
Our past does not equal our future.
We all have a purpose that is directly linked to past life struggles, our talents, gifts and passions. We must grow and become more so we can give more of ourselves to our relationships and humanity.
Future Aspirations:
Reconnect with an addiction recovery coaching organization where I can fully utilize my past lived experience, my extensive training in human peak performance strategies and healing.
Become a nationally certified trainer in Recovery Coaching.
Certifications and Memberships:
Master Practitioner Certification in Neuro Linguistic Programming, Mental and Emotional Release and Hypnosis. 2019
Trainer with an international personal development organization.
Recovery Coach Academy 2024
Ethical Considerations in Recovery Coaching
Professionalism in Recovery Coaching
