Five years ago, LAH lost a valued team member and a dear friend. Thomas was radicalized into a notoriously violent far-right prison gang while serving time for armed robbery. He rose to a leadership role and remained involved in the gang for 15 years. After realizing that gang life was only pulling him down, Thomas began the complex process of disengagement. As a result, a fellow gang member tried to take his life.
It was in the aftermath of this near-fatal shooting that Thomas committed to using positivity to counter-balance all the negative decisions he had made in his past. In the course of physical and emotional healing, Thomas discovered Life After Hate and was determined to share his experiences in a way that would help others who were influenced by hate-fueled violence and seeking a way out of that life.
“Most of my biggest accomplishments have come from trying to survive and better myself. Even though I spent eight years in prison, I do not let this define me. I continue to fight in order to become the person that I have always wanted to be.”
Thomas worked with other co-responders to effectively engage with individuals who have been influenced by extremism. At the time of his passing, Thomas was working on a degree in counseling and human services.
Thomas was an “Exit Specialist in training.” He was determined to live the rest of his life in service to others.
“I am doing my best to dedicate the rest of my life to becoming the person I should have been all along. I consider every day a gift, and I will share that gift with the ones who need it.”
Thomas overcame incredible odds to become the person he was. He lived the ideals of compassion and gratitude every day of his life. And he inspired us to continue doing this critical work, no matter the odds.
Thomas taught us that kindness and compassion make a difference. Through Thomas, we are reminded that no matter how healed or cheerful a person seems, there can always be relapses, mental health crises, and hard days.
Thomas’s unexpected passing in August of 2020 was a sudden reminder that Exit work requires time, consistency, professional support, and, very often, grace to allow people to change, believing that they can reach their full potential for good if they are allowed to do so.
In honor of Thomas and of Global Mental HealthDay, we want to share that there is Life After Hate, and that nobody should be judged by their worst actions.
- World Mental Health Day was October 10th
- October is also National Depression and Mental Health Screening Month
If you or someone you know needs crisis support, please call 988
