7-Sep-08 11:00 AM CST

Going In Mission and Service

Going In Mission and Service
by Prentiss “Golden Fat Cat” Jones

Each year, one man in each of the 38 centers worldwide that comprise the ManKind Project International (MKPI) is eligible to receive recognition for living a life of mission and service, primarily outside of the context of our circles of men. Each community may select such an individual and submit his name to MKPI for review and blessing, with the end result being the bestowment of the Ron Hering Award, named after one of the founders of this work.

Last Fall, MKP Houston began a search for its candidate, and nominations were submitted and later evaluated by a committee of brothers. Of those nominees, Keith Liles, Healing Bear, was selected for the honor, and at a banquet at the annual Glen Ivy Conference his award was presented to MKPH Executive Director Greg Gondron who accepted on Keith’s behalf.

“What an amazing honor this is. To be affirmed for living a personal mantra around mission and service, something for me that is so simple and so necessary, is truly profound. And to be recognized by an organization and group of men that mean so much to me is the greater gift.”

For me, this nomination was a special pleasure. Aside from being the recipient of this honor in 2001, and clearly knowing what living a life in mission can be and feel like, I have also been Keith's Integration leadership mentor for the past four years. I have watched him grow in his leader gold, moving from a place of great reservation and fear into one spotlighted by leadership and mentorship throughout the community. Nominating Keith was indeed a huge gift to me, and he was an easy selection because his mission is one of simplicity and clarity: “I create a world of healing through hope, beginning with myself.” Without any doubt, Keith lives this mission each day, every day.

Keith supports men in their work within the circles of New Warrior Training Adventure Weekends, and Primary Integration Training (PIT) Cycles, having served on over 40 weekend, MOS and PIT teams. Additionally, he has dedicated himself to a variety of other facets of MKP Houston, such as designing and implementing the Men of Service Program (November 2006) and the new Training, Education & Outreach Committee (January, 2008). He currently serves as the Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, Advisor of the Integration Council and Fundraising Chair for the Memorial Brick “Pathway to Mission” project. When asked about his greatest Warrior accomplishment, Keith reflects on the 35 men he has brought to the New Warrior Training Adventure weekends.

This spirit and energy extends well past Warrior circles and into and throughout Keith’s life. After a successful 12-year career in the banking industry, coupled with his struggle with the shadows of addiction, Keith found his calling as a therapist for the chemically dependent. He has spent the last 14 years dedicated to working with individuals who are in need of connecting with their own shadows. From leading pro bono youth recovery groups and teaching addiction prevention education groups in area high schools, Keith has channeled his passion over the past decade into legislative efforts by traveling both Austin and to Washington, D.C. to speak to governmental bodies about the need for increased funding for prevention, intervention, and treatment in Texas. Several years ago, Keith was the recipient of the National Addiction Professional of the Year award, the highest national honor afforded a member of the field of addiction treatment.

Today, when he is not at the Warrior Lodge, you can find Keith at Extended Aftercare where he serves as the Chief Clinical Officer and co-owner. EAI, a long term substance abuse treatment community for men, affords Keith a daily opportunity to live his mission, and to empower men to begin their own journey of healing. And all the while, he lives his. I have been to the EAI facilities on several occasions, and have witnessed the love and respect Keith's business associates, as well as the clients, have for him. Without question, Keith's love of our work in MKP and his practical application of it in his professional life have definitely made dramatic and dynamic impact on literally thousands.

“My own personal journey of recovery had been successful, but after seven years, and the death of my father, something more was needed. And while I went to my weekend literally kicking and screaming, it was the most profound experience of my life, and that is when the journey really began…that is when the actual healing started. I always knew my mission was to help others heal, but somewhere along the way, I had forgotten about myself. Today, thanks to my connection to this work and the personal evolution that has resulted, I have the awareness and absolute clarity to recognize that by not placing myself first in the healing process, I am unable and unfit to connect and help others,” states Liles.

Since Keith was unable to be present to receive the award from MKPI, Greg Gondron presented him with the award at the April NWTA Graduation Ceremony. Greg said about Keith, “Keith is a man of passion, commitment and generosity. He has given beyond measure to our Community and outside of our community, allowing men from all walks of life to experience the healing, connection and transformation our trainings provide. Keith embodies integrity and action!”

It is a huge blessing to have Keith as a part of my life. He truly does “Go in Mission and Service.”

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Source: Prentiss “Golden Fat Cat” Jones