How Forgiveness Played A Role in Tim's Sobriety

Tim lives in Stoughton, Wisconsin with his wife and two adult children. Originally from Toledo, Ohio, Tim moved to Wisconsin over 23 years ago to marry Tracy. He graduated from St. John’s Jesuit High School in 1983 and began attending the only college he ever wanted to go to–Ohio Northern University (ONU) where his grandfather was a leader in the Psychology Department. At ONU Tim studied Philosophy and Religion and Psychology while being involved in Sigma Theta Epsilon (Christian Service Fraternity), a faculty/student choir and with traveling ministry teams (Son’s Rays and a failed attempt at puppetry.) Unfortunately Tim was only able to spend two years at ONU (for details, you can have him speak on growing up a child in an alcoholic household and becoming an alcoholic himself.)  

Tim transferred to Bowling Green State University (BGSU) and graduated (barely) in 1987 with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a minor in Philosophy. While at BGSU Tim was active in campus ministry and served as Youth Director for a local parish while volunteering with the Diocese of Toledo. The highlight of his BGSU career was listening to Mr. Rogers speak at his graduation ceremony. Tim spent time as Director of Pastoral Concerns and religion teacher at a local high school, as an early childhood educator and as a substance abuse counselor before being accepted into the Masters program at John Carroll University (Ohio) in 1990 and earning his Masters in Counseling in 1993. While at John Carroll (JCU), Tim was also involved in numerous volunteer activities including an outreach to Appalachia. He also received the Magis Award from the Student Council of JCU.  

After a year of working as a College Counselor and Hall Director in Ohio, Tim moved to West Virginia to volunteer on a Catholic Worker Farm. While there, a friend introduced him (over the phone) to the wonderful woman who would become his wife. Tim moved to Wisconsin in 1995 and Tracy and he were married that same year. They were blessed with Hunter being born in 1997 and Sami in 1999.  Since moving to Wisconsin, Tim has worked in early childhood education; in customer service at Davis Duehr Dean; in Quality Assurance at Epic Systems; as an Office Manager at LakeView Church and as a House Father for the Elizabeth House. Ten years ago Tim was hired as an Outreach Specialist at the University of Wisconsin-Madison Waisman Center where he currently works as the Director of the Southern Regional Center for Children and Youth with Special Health Care Needs, Family Discipline Coordinator for the WI LEND program and as a senior outreach specialist with the Youth Health Transition Initiative.  

In 2014, Tim finally finished a 10+year journey when he earned a Master of Arts in Christian Studies from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (Illinois). As his capstone project Tim combined the scientific research around forgiveness and his faith background’s belief in forgiveness to develop an eight week course centered on why forgiveness is necessary and how to forgive. Since then Tim has taught about forgiveness at Stoughton Hospital, Lifest, area churches, local and statewide mental/behavioral health conferences, an aging conference, on the radio and at educator wellness events. Tim’s brings a unique perspective through sharing his personal journey through childhood trauma, alcoholism, betrayals, misunderstandings, mental health challenges and life.