Agenda 03/28/2017 Item # 5A03/28/2017
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Presentation of the 2017 “Against All Odds” award to Carlos Ruiz.
OBJECTIVE: To present the 2017 “Against All Odds” award to Collier County resident Carlos Ruiz.
CONSIDERATIONS: The “Against All Odds” award program was established by the Board of
County Commissioners to recognize an individual in our community who has overcome great challenges
that most of us have not faced, and who in spite of his or her circumstances, has excelled and given back
to our community.
At the Board of County Commissioners meeting held on February 28, 2017, the Board voted to select
Carlos Ruiz as the recipient of the 2017 Against All Odds award.
Awardees Name Brief summary of key areas where the awardee has overcome great
challenges, has excelled, and has given back to our community.
Carlos Ruiz Served as a paratrooper in the United States Army 82nd Airborne Division
deployed to Afghanistan where, at 18-years-old, he saw extensive combat
and loss of life; Returned home with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
(PTSD); Graduated from the Veterans Treatment Court program; Went back
to school and now mentors other veterans who have struggled as he had,
currently serving as the disabled veterans outreach program specialist at
CareerSource of Southwest Florida.
FISCAL IMPACT: The cost of a plaque not to exceed $200.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS: This item has been reviewed by the County Attorney, raises no legal
issue, and requires majority support for any Board action. -JAK
GROWTH MANAGEMENT IMPACT: NONE.
RECOMMENDATION: To present the 2017 “Against All Odds” award to Collier County resident
Carlos Ruiz.
Prepared by: Mike Sheffield, Manager, Communication and Customer Relations
ATTACHMENT(S)
1. Carlos Ruiz (PDF)
03/28/2017
COLLIER COUNTY
Board of County Commissioners
Item Number: 5.A
Doc ID: 2816
Item Summary: Presentation of the 2017 “Against All Odds” award to Carlos Ruiz for
demonstrating fortitude, determination and perseverance to overcome great challenges and enrich our
community.
Meeting Date: 03/28/2017
Prepared by:
Title: Executive Secretary to County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: MaryJo Brock
02/28/2017 12:27 PM
Submitted by:
Title: County Manager – County Manager's Office
Name: Leo E. Ochs
02/28/2017 12:27 PM
Approved By:
Review:
Communication and Customer Relations Mike Sheffield Additional Reviewer Completed 02/28/2017 2:35 PM
County Attorney's Office Jeffrey A. Klatzkow Additional Reviewer Completed 03/01/2017 11:31 AM
County Manager's Office Nick Casalanguida County Manager Review Completed 03/05/2017 9:10 AM
Board of County Commissioners MaryJo Brock Meeting Pending 03/28/2017 9:00 AM
Collier Veterans Mentor Group
V ETE RANS h el pi ng V ETE RANS
NOMINEE: CARLOS RUIZ
ADDRESS: 1442 WILDWOOD TAKES BIVD, C104, NAPLES, F134104
carlos served in the 82"d Airborne division and was deployed to Afghanistan for a year where, as an 18 year old
paratrooper, he saw extensive combat and lost many brothers and sisters at arms. He returned with severe PTSD, which
led to battles with extreme social anxiety, depression and alcohol and drug abuse.
ln his own words:
After a handfil ofsuicide attempts qnd trips to the Miami VA psych ward, they diagnosed me with PTSD, mqjor depression, anxiel)
disorder, and psychotic synptoms That vas when I really learned about PTSD.
Oul ofthe Amy and back in Floridq, Ifelt alone and confused and like I was riding the edge. In 2011 I had q P7'SD episode, where I
hadflash backs antl hqllucinalions. This ended in a violent outburst where I put my family in danger. Fortunalely. no one \|as
inj red, but I was incarcerated, and my wde moved heoven dnd earth to Jincl me help. Afier I found out about the (:ollier Cotmty
l/etetans Treatmenl (:ourt Progrqm, my wife did everything to get me in. Atfirst, I was nemous and scqred and didn't know whal lo
expecl. I ttos under house qrrest and on stdte probation, and vas not alloved to speak to or see my wife and son. All ofthis vas very-
devaslating.
LIy lreatment requiremenls consisted of taking medicqtion, going lo group meelings, having one-on-one therapy sessions and
stbmitting to rdndom drug tests. I didn't think I'd be able to keep upwith it, but out offear oflosing my family I decided to pull myself
up by my boolstraps and do the besl I could in Veterqns Court. Group counseling was gredl h vas the frst tiue I vas able to see I
was not .llone; there were other vels whofell the same way I did. My case manager checkzd on me all the time and tty veterqn
mentors \pre a gredl support system. Once I gave my medication time to v,ork, I s6|, a chqnge in the leeel ofmy anxiety and I felt
peaceful.
Carlos spent a year in Veterans Treatment Court, working closely with treatment professionals, case managers, thejudge, and very
importantly other veterans. Carlos accepted the support ofvolunteer veteran mentors, who offered a friendly ear, some firm direction
and endless support and encouragement. At the same time, Carlos threw himself into successfully helping other veterans who were
struggling as he had. He quickly Ieamed that helping other veterans was the best medicine forhimself aswell.
After going back to school, Carlos was able to land ajob doingjust that. He cunently serves as the disabled yeterans outreach
program specialist ("DVOP") at Careersource of SW Florida. Now he can help support his family doing what he loves: helping other
veterans reach their goals and find meaningful work.
Outside ofhis work, in addition to speaking to various groups in Collier County, Carlos continues to giye back in his own time as
well, and has enjoyed the privilege ofjoining that same volunteer mentor corps that helped him succeed in Veterans court. Asan
actual graduate ofthis program, he can mentor veterans in that program in a way the other volunteers cannot, and that empowerment
has meant the world to Carlos.
For these reasons, we feel strongly that Carlos embodies precisely the spirit and vision ofthe "Against AII Odds" award, and urge the
Board ofCounty Commissioners to consider him for this incredible honor. Doingso will be nice for Carlos, ofcourse, but more
importantly, it will assist him in his goal ofhelping other struggling yeterans to know there are others out there like themselves and
there is help and hope forthem too. Thank you for your consideration ofthis nomination.
John Mclean, Veterans Mentor Coordinator
10546 Smokehouse Bay Drive S101
Naples, Ft 34120
630.294.5646
Email: veteransmentor@gmail.com