Meet Mark George

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mark George. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mark below.

Mark, sincerely appreciate your selflessness in agreeing to discuss your mental health journey and how you overcame and persisted despite the challenges. Please share with our readers how you overcame. For readers, please note this is not medical advice, we are not doctors, you should always consult professionals for advice and that this is merely one person sharing their story and experience.

Overcoming Trauma: A Journey from Despair to Hope

In an unexpected turn of events, after years of enduring pain and hardship, I found myself destitute and without a home. The anguish became unbearable, prompting me to contemplate ending it all, a tragic fate that too many Veterans and First Responders have unfortunately succumbed to.

However, amidst the darkness, I discovered a newfound understanding of the path that led me to this pivotal moment. Equipped with fresh tools and insights, I realized that I no longer needed to linger in that place of despair. Through unwavering faith, divine grace, and the invaluable assistance of programs like the renowned University of Utah Veterans Studies Program, specializing in inpatient trauma treatment, I transitioned from PTSD to what is known as post-traumatic growth (PTG). While challenges may persist, I have learned to navigate them without succumbing to the depths of despair and hopelessness. That chapter of my life is now firmly behind me.

Today, I stand at a juncture of post-traumatic growth, having transcended the shackles of post-traumatic stress and its associated labels. It is a transformation that not everyone achieves after enduring trauma, making me profoundly grateful for this evolution. Refusing to be defined as a victim, I am committed to continual self-improvement, not only for my well-being and that of my family but also to serve as a beacon of hope for others.

Drawing from my own encounters with trauma and chronic pain, I established H3 Heroes Helping Heroes 4Heroes 4Life, a Social Enterprise Group that operates as a for-profit LLC alongside a nonprofit 501c3. Our mission is to extend outreach support to Heroes and Their Families grappling with PTSD, depression, homelessness, and suicidal ideations.

Recognizing that the loved ones of these Heroes also endure profound suffering, we acknowledge the reality of secondhand PTSD, a condition often overlooked. Our initiative aims to provide holistic support programs that include the entire family in the healing process.

In doing an interview on suicide risk in first responders, I hope to remove barriers to achieving post-traumatic growth. As leaders in behavioral health, we are not above pain and struggles, and we must reach out for help just like others. Suicidal individuals do not wish to die; they are in unbearable pain and suffering. PRAISE GOD I have crossed over from PTSD to PTG, gaining understanding and new tools to navigate struggles without getting lost in darkness.

The best is yet to come as I continue on this journey of growth and healing PTG!

WITH ALL LOVE,

Mark

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

The Company
H3 Heroes Helping Heroes 4Life is a grassroots Social Enterprise and nonprofit 501(c)3 that helps Veterans and 1st Responders (Firefighters) and their Families with Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Service-Connected Resource Assistance, and Homelessness.

Through its self-sustaining enterprises, H3 Heroes Helping Heroes 4Life~line LLC is designed to raise capital to fund its nonprofit programs dedicated to helping veterans, military service members, 1st Responders, and their families. H3 raises capital from a variety of business projects and alliances to fund its programs in order to fulfill its mission and make a difference in the lives of many.

Mission and Vision
H3 believes NO Veteran who sacrificed for this country should be homeless due to humbling circumstances. The vision of H3 is to provide programs that offer Homeless Veterans a “hand up” to housing, rehabilitation, and entrepreneurship in a way that has never been done before and will effectively reduce the unacceptable rate of suicide in our heroes.
H3 promotes and supports mental health and wellness programs, with an emphasis on helping Veterans and 1st Responders and their Families heal from the invisible wounds of 1st-hand and 2nd-hand PTSD by reaching out with a 4Life~lineTM toward healing, and moving past PTSD to PTG ~ Post Traumatic Growth.

Projects and Programs
H3 offers goods and services in which every purchase creates a “best value product or service” including the added benefit of Social Enterprise, bringing a sense of purpose to a cause, while fulfilling a Global Consumer Best Value Equation: Unique Quality Product or Service + Cause and Purpose = Return on our Heroes (ROH).

ALL revenue generated after costs of operations from e-commerce product sales, commodities trading, travel business, real estate investments, special events, alliances, and other enterprising projects, will be donated at 100% of the proceeds to H3’s Genuine Goodwill programs.

Projects – The following enterprising projects will be established to generate revenue to support and sustain the Veteran programs:
1. H3 United We Band ~ United We Stand CollectionTM – The company’s primary business will raise capital through E-commerce sales of unique and eco-friendly emblematic and patriotic apparel and accessories, featuring custom design hologram silicone bands, niue messaging T-shirts and recycled jewelry.
2. H3 Recycle 4 Our HeroesTM – A community waste-free program engaging schools, businesses and organizations in collecting recyclables in CRV states to fund both Veterans programs and their own projects.
3. H3 Commodities and Trading Offices – Establishing offices for commodities trading in sugar, oil, gold, soybeans and other raw materials.
4. H3 Travel Business – Setting up travel offices in locations nationwide to serve Veterans, active duty military, 1st responders and their families.
5. H3 Culinary Arts and Food Truck Business – Veteran owned culinary businesses will train and educate other veterans to establish their own food truck or restaurant business

Programs – The goals of the program plans are to provide housing, employment and other critical services for unhoused Veterans in humbling circumstances through the following programs in several locations:
1. The first in the nation H3 Rolling Stand Down(TM) program extends the once-a-year Stand Down for homeless Veterans (a yearly 3-day event providing meals, shelter, hygiene, medical and legal services) throughout the entire year with mobile hygiene units, food, clothing, haircuts, hygiene supplies, and health, employment, and medical resources.
2. H3 Veteran Transitional Housing and Rehabilitation offers housing to help Veterans and their families get off the streets, establish their service-connecting disability benefits, access resources for medical, legal, housing and employment assistance, and provide rehabilitation programs to restore health and healing through proven modalities.
3. The H3 Veterans IncubatorTM and Tiny Homes Villages permanent housing community provides job skills training and employment leading to social entrepreneurship opportunities in a variety of industries that include Media, Business Center, Culinary Center, Trade School, Movie Set, Multi Media School, Sound Stage, Recycling Center, Zero Waste Center, Retail Store, and Printing Shop. The community will contain a complete Health and Wellness Center and Behavioral Health Center as an integral part of the program.

H3 “Genuine Goodwill” programs serve at the local, state, regional and national level. To date in San Diego, H3 has served thousands of military and civilian families each year through programs that include:
1. Feeding over 23,000 Homeless Veterans and other unhoused families, seniors, and military families partnering with local nonprofits for meal distributions, and holiday food and toy drives each year
2. Hosting and sponsoring American Red Cross Community Blood Drives for Veterans Day and Valentine’s Day with the Kyle Kraska Heroes Blood Drive, as well as other blood drives during the year
3. Community awareness events in remembrance of fallen heroes, and yearly planting and collecting 120,000 flags on Veteran gravesites on Memorial Day at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery

H3 Heroes Helping Heroes 4Life(TM) has a vision to help Veterans and 1st Responders and their families with the unique challenges of behavioral health. With a hand up to dignity, H3 believes our nation’s heroes can and lead fulfilled lives dedicated to helping others, too.

H3 will continue to expand its programs and projects in the future to include:
* extending its E-Commerce offerings through strategic alliances with unique upcycled and health and wellness products to be featured on the H3 E-commerce platform
* adding to its Rolling Stand Down fleet of services to locations in California (Los Angeles, Oakland), Texas, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Nevada
* growing its locations of temporary and permanent Veteran housing communities in California, the southwest, and across the country

H3 will build on a foundation of Heroes Helping Heroes 4Life by supporting Veteran businesses for social entrepreneurship, promoting behavioral and mental health awareness, connecting Military and 1st Responders and their families to services, and making a difference in the lives of others both domestically and internationally. Global initiatives will take wounded warriors and their families on mission trips to build orphanages and schools and fight child trafficking around the world.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

Social entrepreneurship, public service, and faith are three things that have profoundly impacted my business in meaningful ways.

I learned early on that aligning business with a social cause is a best value, for people, planet and profit. This was my vision before Social Enterprise even had a name. Social entrepreneurship encourages innovation. Finding creative solutions to social challenges can lead to new products, services, or processes that not only address societal needs but also open up new market opportunities. Like Newman’s Own salad dressing and Girl Scout cookies, the proceeds support a social cause, such as breast cancer and enrichment opportunities. In the case of H3, all proceeds from the LLC businesses support programs for Veterans and 1st Responder Heroes and their families in humbling circumstances. Through this business model, we can help families move from PTSD to PTG, and support them with access to housing, health, employment, benefits, and pathways to social entrepreneurship.

As a Veteran of the USS Midway, and supporter of the effort to bring her to San Diego as one of the most popular attractions in the country, as well as a 23 year career as a Firefighter and Deputy Fire Marshal, I have had a long dedicated career of public service. Engaging in public service through your business involves actively contributing to the well-being of the community or society at large. This can include volunteering, charitable donations, or implementing programs that benefit local communities. Beyond corporate social responsibility (CSR), genuine public service initiatives demonstrate our commitment to making a difference beyond profit margins. For me this is all very personal. Through my experiences in public service and especially first-hand with chronic pain and continuous trauma, I am dedicated to not allowing another Veteran or 1st Responder and their family go through what my family and I have been through.
Finally, through my life-long faith I continue to persevere in devoting myself to God’s purpose for me. Integrating faith into your business practices can provide a moral compass that guides decision-making and corporate culture. For businesses with a religious foundation, faith can influence ethical standards, customer relations, and employee interactions. It can also inspire a sense of purpose and responsibility toward employees’ spiritual well-being.

Aa a faith-based business, we prioritize principles such as honesty, integrity, and compassion, which can resonate strongly with employees, customers and the community at large. Maintaining a culture that respects diversity and fosters inclusivity ensures that all stakeholders feel valued and respected. It is only through the grace of God and his mercy that I am able to pursue my passion and purpose as a visionary and social entrepreneur, encouraging and inviting others along for the journey.

Starting off on a social enterprise journey can be both rewarding and challenging. Social enterprise requires flexibility and resilience to navigate setbacks and seize opportunities. Maintain integrity and authenticity in everything you do. Your commitment to your social mission should guide decisions, partnerships, and operational practices.
Continuously seek opportunities to learn, innovate, and evolve your enterprise to maximize impact. Educate potential customers, investors, and the community about the positive impact of purchasing from or investing in socially responsible businesses.

These three key components of social enterprise, public service, and faith amount to the fulfillment of a strong sense of purpose! Along with a clear mission, strategies for building successful relationships and partnerships, and maximizing resources for funding and business support, sustaining a successful social enterprise will be a reality.
Starting a social enterprise requires passion, dedication, and a strategic approach. By aligning your mission with effective business practices and maintaining a focus on social impact, you can create a sustainable venture that makes a meaningful difference in the world.

Okay, so before we go we always love to ask if you are looking for folks to partner or collaborate with?

As a grassroots social enterprise with big vision, H3 is dedicated to collaborating and partnering with the community, businesses, military organizations, university students and alumni, professionals, other nonprofits, donors and volunteers.

H3 will expand its branding and target market reach for E-Commerce Sales through a 3-part sales and marketing plan. As a Social Enterprise, its unique “O” LevelTM program is designed to reach organizations, businesses and consumers to grow the business while supporting the cause.

The language of Social Enterprise communicates ideas that fall outside traditional sales business models. As a Social Enterprise, H3 lives in both the “non-profit” and “for-profit” worlds and operates on an “O” Level (Organization) vs. a “B” Level (Business) system. This new language helps express the vision for a new model that raises capital for a Cause and Purpose and yields a strong Return on Community (ROC). The H3 “O” LevelTM Team builds on strategic alliances that work together on three levels by reaching out to organizations, businesses, and the community (consumers) to support our programs for social impact.

● O2O (Organization to Organization) – Together with H3, organizations such as college alumni groups, fraternities, sororities, American Legion, VFW, schools and nonprofits join in a strategic alliance to raise funds for BOTH the organization and for life-sustaining programs for Heroes and their Families through unique fundraising opportunities, such as H3’s United We Band ~ United We StandTM custom design and eco-friendly apparel and accessories and H3’s Recycle 4 Our HeroesTM recycling program.

● O2B (Organization to Business) – Businesses support H3’s programs through sponsorship and advertising opportunities on products and Special Events sponsorship. Businesses may also purchase products such as bands at a discount rate to give or sell and can design their own customized promotional products.

● O2C (Organization to Community / Consumers) – Consumers in H3’s target markets and the Community at Large embrace the message (purpose) and support the cause by purchasing unique products through online and in-person sales. Community participation in H3 Special Events brings communities together to fundraise for Genuine Goodwill programs, while at the same time enjoying a community event – all for a worthwhile cause.

At all levels, the “O” LevelTM Sales and Marketing strategy is designed to provide a Value Based Relationship in which the Value Equation of “Anyway Money” + quality + uniqueness + price AND CAUSE offer a BEST VALUE to the consumer or organization for greater social impact.

We look forward to ongoing collaborations to grow and expand H3 as a first class B Corp that puts heroes and their families, social justice, and those most in need of support at the forefront of corporate responsibility in a system that donates ALL proceeds to the cause.

Contact Info:

Image Credits

Moments of Your Life Photography (Theresa Dimapilis)

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