Giving a building a second chance

  Giving a home built in 1938 a second chance, so that it may do the same for others.   
​   My best friend, Shane Liston, introduced me to the sober living environment.  I saw a dichotomy in the market of home owners providing safe supportive housing and slum lords taking advantage of people recovering from addiction.  Shane introduced me to the Uplift Housing Network (formally known as the San Diego County Sober Living Coalition).  I took certification courses in owning and operating sober living homes and management leadership training focused on issues related to the recovery community.  There was a tremendous need for supportive housing in the LGBT community, so I decided to dedicate my philanthropy to LGBT Recovery.

​In October 2009, I purchase a fixer upper in Bankers Hill.  Through the efforts of Shane and a business owner, Carmen Lucci, directing his crew consisting primarily of recovering addicts, this 1938 home was given a new lease on life.    After six-months of blood, sweat and tears, Shane and I cofounded Amethyst Landing, opening our doors to the LGBT community, and dedicating The Landing at Bankers Hill ​to Michael on March 3, 2010, his one-year anniversary date.