In 2006 David took the first step in a long and painful journey back from the abyss of addiction and self-destruction. He promised his dying father that he would get clean. And he did. But as he cleaned his body and soul, he began to confront the sexual abuse that his addiction had for so long obscured — abuse perpetrated by a church youth minister when David was 12 to 15 years old.

Those three years of abuse destroyed the foundation of love and faith that had been built by his family.

For 25 years, David kept the abuse secret and lost himself in a fog of drugs and alcohol. He was by turns destitute, at times incarcerated.

The promise to his dying father was the catalyst. And the bedrock of his mother’s love and devotion was the foundation on which David rebuilt his life. Therapy, 12-step meetings, and soul-deep determination were the bricks and mortar.

David founded Together We Heal to provide fellow survivors and their families, guidance through the trauma of childhood sexual abuse.

In 2015 he was asked to become a part of the Child Safeguarding Initiative team with GRACE (Godly Response to Abuse in the Christian Environment) to empower the Christian community through education and training to recognize, prevent, and respond to child abuse.

David represents Together We Heal & GRACE across the country as a public speaker and instructor; teaching churches, schools, and families how to talk with their kids about sexual abuse, how to better identify predatory behavior, and how to properly respond to those harmed.

From its meager existence as a simple blog in 2011, until it filed the paperwork to become an official 501(c)(3), non-profit organization, Together We Heal has grown exponentially.

TWH has a real and substantial online presence, and is leading through example in South Florida. We have developed relationships to include other leading National and International Survivor Support organizations such as The Bristlecone Project, as well as local affiliations like the Victim Services Division of Palm Beach County.

It is a fundamental belief of Together We Heal that by joining forces and combining resources we can make a real difference in the lives of children and survivors.

None of this would be possible without those who have given and continue to give of their time, talents and financial resources. It’s because of them we are able help those in need.

The demand grows increasingly and if you find yourself either in need of guidance, or able to assist others with your time or resources, please contact us. The needs of so many rely on the kindness of those willing.

There is also a real need to change statute of limitation laws on child molestation and sexual abuse. Immediate action is needed by every state legislature to strengthen the loose sentences and lenient statute of limitation laws on child abuse, molestation and rape. Please help promote that change by contacting your local lawmakers and let them know of the needed changes. You can find out about your state’s current SOL laws and steps you can take to help here: https://childusa.org/2021sol/

May survivors of sexual abuse find the peace they so desperately deserve and let’s work together to protect all children, everywhere.