We recently connected with Debra York and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Debra, appreciate you sitting with us today to share your wisdom with our readers. So, let’s start with resilience – where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience stems from a choice I made long ago to confront my fears and challenges directly. Growing up in a home rife with substance and alcohol use, along with various forms of abuse, it was a decision I, as a child, had to make in order to survive.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
As the founder of An Angel’s Wing, I am deeply committed to aiding individuals in their recovery from addiction. My personal life is devoted to my family, and I cherish vacationing and spending tranquil moments contemplating how to create a better world for my grandchildren. I am a retired owner and operator of an auto repair facility, where my eldest son served as the shop manager. Each day, I am driven by the mission to save lives, and often, that is exactly what we accomplish. We save not only the lives of those suffering but also their families. There is no greater satisfaction than aiding someone in recovering from what could have been a life-ending struggle. The individuals that I work with comprise some of the kindest and most compassionate individuals I have ever encountered. Over the past year, we have established three recovery homes in Maine. One is LGBTQIA+ friendly, and two cater to women in the process of reunifying with their children who were placed in child protective services. The feeling of reuniting families torn apart by addiction is unparalleled.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I established An Angel’s Wing in 2017, and the most important lesson is to never give up. Perseverance has saved the organization on numerous occasions. Additionally, it’s crucial to seek help. People are often searching for ways to contribute, and the most remarkable individuals are those who are willing. Competition should not be a concern in your journey. Instead, be kind, compassionate, and become a formidable presence. This approach will sustain you because people appreciate and trust genuinely caring organizations.
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My son Joshua, the co-founder of An Angel’s Wing, has been my pillar of strength. Whenever I was too exhausted to continue, he was there to support me. He was the steadfast rock I needed. His innovative ideas were precisely what the organization needed to progress in our mission.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anangelswing.org
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/winganangels
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/debra-york-40704432/
Image Credits
(Serenity Lynn, Debra York granddaughter, Volunteer) Debra , Director, (Anthony York, Debra York’s Husband) (Joshua Steven’s brother to Shannon Chase, Chairman of the board)
