Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Iverson.
On December 14th, 2017, Cory Iverson, a Fire Apparatus Engineer for CAL FIRE paid the ultimate sacrifice while battling the Thomas Fire in Ventura County, California.
He was survived by his wife, Ashley, their daughter Evie, and – at the time – their unborn daughter Taylor. Ashley had spent more than half her life battling severe anxiety and depression largely in part from PTSD due to nearly losing her home at the age of 13 from arson and also from an inner need to help others on a large scale.
Just one month prior to Cory’s passing, a colleague took his own life leaving behind a young child and wife. It was then that Cory understood the gravity of mental health and the devastation it can leave behind in its wake. In founding the Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness (IFAA), Ashley is able to keep Cory’s memory alive for their daughters and to continue on Cory’s legacy through his sacrifice to help all first responders; those that selflessly help others on a daily basis.
IFAA has made it its mission to change the culture within the first responder community. A culture that implies “if you’re not strong enough mentally to take it, you don’t belong.” Currently, the culture has little room for the consistent decompression or the open communication necessary to maintain sound mental health after seeing and experiencing things the human brain can only compartmentalize, cover-up, or “add to the bucket” for so long.
We believe through a strong support system and trust within the workplace, accompanied by proper techniques on how to dig deep, we can bring the darkness into the light. Our intention is to ultimately improve mental health through communication, trust, and love within a peer-led environment.
We are confident the culture change and the support from IFAA will not only improve productivity, but it will also decrease job and non-job related depression and anxiety, improve interpersonal relationships within professional and personal lives, and most importantly reduce suicide rates among first responders.
We are working to raise awareness within the home for family members of these first responder heroes. It is important for the heroes left at home to recognize the signs and the symptoms of anxiety, depression, and PTSI (Post Traumatic Stress Injury) and to understand the tools and options available to help those affected.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I can’t imagine any road traveled in life has been a “smooth” road when it comes to finding one’s purpose, and for myself, the answer is simply and complexly no.
In terms of careers, my road was fairly clear and straightforward. My passion is for art so I took the path of least resistance; I went to SDSU, obtained my bachelor’s degree in business management then put myself through cosmetology school. I had the drive and ambition to create a successful career for myself within a short amount of time.
During my career, I was blessed to meet and marry a man that encouraged, motivated and enabled me to be the best version of myself. We loved one another fully and completely. One could say I had it all, but for me, something was missing. Part of my passion was for helping people. Helping people see, understand and execute their full potential and as a hair and makeup artist, one person at a time just wasn’t enough for me. Because of this void, I held 4-6 jobs at a time, searching for the avenue that would touch the most lives but never felt satisfied.
December 14th, 2017 was a day that most would consider the end of my life; the day my sweet husband left this earth. On one level, yes, I would agree, on a much greater level I would tell you, it was that day my husband and our Heavenly Father gave me the greatest gift of all, a second life, a life with purpose.
Due to Cory’s incident being on the (at the time) largest fire in California history, it quickly became high profile and was talked about around the world. Myself and our family were thrust into the public eye which can be a very scary place if you’re not looking for it. However, what it did was give me the platform to make a difference in the capacity I had been searching for my whole life.
Every moment since that fateful day has been terribly perfect. Literally the worst of circumstances but some of the best outcomes. I immediately began asking his colleagues what level of care they received regularly for their mental and emotional health because all I could think about with his brothers and sisters that were with him that day. Their answer was simply “nothing.”
This began the journey and ultimately my life’s purpose to raise awareness within the first responders community that mental and emotional health is suffering and deserves attention, remove the stigma that tells them to stuff away all past trauma and if they are not mentally sound at all times then they are unfit for the job and shift the culture, creating a work environment that encourages and motivates them to actively practice improved mental and emotional health and “bring the darkness into the light.”
Please tell us about Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness – what should we know?
The Iverson Foundation for Active Awareness is working to implement programs within the workplace that proactively gives first responders an opportunity to consistently improve their mental and emotional health by giving them tools to release the darkness at all times.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Communication. Communication is a critical component of life. Communication with self to understand what it is you want and need to be fulfilled and communication with others so your goals and aspirations can be met and achieved.
Contact Info:
- Address: 420 N Twin Oaks Valley Rd #2775
San Marcos, CA 92069 - Website: www.iversonfaa.org
- Email: ashley@iversonfaa.org
- Instagram: @iversonfaa
- Facebook: @iversonfaa
Image Credit:
Tara Iverson
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