Dungarvin Supportive Living and Georgio’s Journey to Healing

At Dungarvin, we respect and respond to the choices of those in need of our supports. That means that individuals come to us for all kinds of reasons, and needing different kinds of support, like the journey of 35-year-old Georgio.  

Georgio is a family man and a beacon of strength and resilience to many. Georgio has a sense of humor that can light up the darkest room, and a unique ability to turn challenges into moments of joy. Living with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder), Georgio has faced many hurdles throughout his life. Yet through every struggle, he demonstrates what it means to be resilient.  

In July of 2022, Georgio was starting a new life in Portland after moving from California. Late one night he was in the wrong place at the wrong time and was shot when a firearm went off. While he miraculously recovered from serious physical injury, he began experiencing severe PTSD as a result of the experience.  

A couple of weeks after the incident and because he was already working with our Supportive Living program, Dungarvin helped Georgio find his own apartment. Feeling safe became his top priority but, unfortunately, his journey into despair was just beginning. 

When out in public, if strangers looked at him too long or tried speaking spoke to him, Georgio’s brain immediately told him that this person was dangerous, and they were going to hurt him – and that he needed to do more to protect himself. So, he purchased a gun. 

One fateful evening later that year, Georgio’s firearm discharged in public by accident. While he tried to explain the situation to police, Georgio didn’t know his situation was about to get much worse.  

In 2024, Georgio and his sister had a heated argument during a family meal. Authorities were called and he ended up in jail. His sister pressed charges. It was at this time that it was discovered a warrant had been issued for Georgio’s arrest for the firearm accident two years earlier, a fact for which he was unaware. His life was unravelling, so he reached out to Dungarvin for help.  

After spending the night in jail, Georgio called his Supportive Living Program Director, Emily Goldenstein, to pick him up and help him contact a lawyer. “For the most part, Georgio was alone dealing with all of this past trauma, and it was really difficult to see,” shared Emily. “He had a newborn daughter, and it was heartbreaking to see what this situation was doing to him and his ability to be a present father.” 

Now in court several courses of action were required, including counseling and therapy, but due to his PTSD, it was difficult for Georgio to open up and trust anyone. Of course, the legal system couldn’t fully appreciate what he had been through and how it had ultimately affected his behavior. “We had a lot of conversations about how the only way out is through, and he really began to embrace that,” Emily stated. 

Over time, Georgio started therapy for the past traumas he had experienced as he tried to reestablish a life that connected him to family. Unable to be present for his newborn daughter was devastating to him – and the inspiration he needed to heal.

“Georgio is one of my favorite people, both personally and from a professional perspective,” shared Emily. “Because of the person we know he is, everyone at Dungarvin was willing to step up for him. We knew that we could help explain the extenuating circumstances of what Georgio had been through to judges, diversion specialists and others within the legal system to really meet him where he was at, and through that, Georgio was able to find his voice to advocate for himself.” 

Through such a dark journey, Georgio remembered what it felt like to be shot and the feelings of insecurity that plagued him afterwards. He decided he never wanted to put anyone else through those difficult emotions he still deals with today.  

After almost two exhausting years, Georgio’s case was finally dismissed at the end of January 2025. Afterwards, his Dungarvin team threw him a party to celebrate. Perhaps telling, the County’s Diversion specialist even attended! Today, Georgio continues to heal and has been reunited with his young daughter and girlfriend. “The world is a volatile place, but we don’t have to be,” Georgio said. 

While it was a painful journey, the entire process he endured showed Georgio what community is really about. The Supported Living team led by Stacy Buckley and Emily Goldstein believe that: “Georgio is why we do the work we do. Seeing him succeed in life and reunite with his family is what it is all about.” 

If you are interested in learning more about Supported Living, contact Stacy Buckley sbuckley@dungarvin.com or 503-624-0205, ext. 8001.