When Eric walked through the doors of Thrive Sweet Auburn earlier this year, he brought with him a suitcase and a lifetime of resilience. A veteran, a manager at Delta during the 1996 Olympics, a security professional, and a minister who spent eight years leading outreach programs for men in crisis, Eric’s story is one of adaptability, leadership, and faith.

Life, as he describes, leaves “worldly scars on all of us.” His scars came with loss, the passing of his beloved wife, Mary Lou, and his son, crushing moments that brought him to a season of instability. Yet what stands out in his journey isn’t what he lost, but what he found and how he has chosen to rebuild.

Finding community

At MHSE, Eric found more than housing; he found community. He speaks with gratitude for the hospitality and professionalism he has received from all the staff, particularly from his case manager, whom he describes as “handpicked” for him. “People show love here. They show grace. And you need that grace and mercy,” Eric reflects.

Eric has always been a man who gives back. From mentoring others in ministry to managing teams in high-pressure environments, his work has always been about people. Today, as he settles into a new chapter of stability, he continues to embody that same heart. “The job doesn’t define us,” he says. “We have to know who we are.”

When asked what he wants others to know about him, his answer is simple yet profound: “I love people. I’m a man of prayer, and I believe in lifting others.”

Eric’s story is a testament to resilience, to the power of community, and to the belief that even through scars, strength and purpose can shine through.