Behavioral Health and Human Services Alum Gives Back

David Oliver, ‘13, currently works for the City of Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations as the Northwest Division Human Relations representative, but in his spare time, he also works with the Juvenile Justice Center of Philadelphia, mentors young people who are justice impacted, and even finds time to be part of CCP’s Behavioral Health and Human Services Advisory Committee.

Through all his work, David gives back to his community, both in the City of Philadelphia and here at CCP. “The work that I do is mutually beneficial. Part of it is self-serving because it fulfills my need to give back or repay my debt. And it also helps people,” said David.

When David says he is repaying his debt, he is referring to his younger years and some of the challenges he faced as a teen. “I was one of those people who were kind of marginalized in society and essentially, we were impoverished,” David said about his upbringing in Philadelphia.

“We know now that poverty is tantamount to trauma. I was not the best kid. I sold drugs and got in trouble. And eventually I was judged as an adult in the system,” David said.

After spending seven years in prison from age 17 to 24, David had to build his life back from the ground up. “When I came home, I said, ‘I got to figure my life out.’ And it was not as easy as one might think it is,” David said. “You say, ‘okay, get a job, go to school and figure it out.’ But it was not that cut and dry.”

In 2010, David decided to enroll in classes at CCP, which he describes as “totally transformative.” Over the next eight years, David acquired three higher education degrees, finishing with his master’s in Social Work from Temple University.

Since then, David has worked for the city in a few different roles. Part of his current professional role with the city is to help folks who have been justice impacted understand their rights and options.

“We have this fair chance hiring law. I teach at the Northwest parole office so our justice impacted citizens who are returning home can understand this law,” said David. “That was not available to me. I was not in that situation,” he continued, referring to his own experience returning home after being imprisoned. 
David’s commitment to bettering himself and to helping others do the same is unparalleled. “I'm a staunch advocate for self-growth and improving one’s current condition, whatever the condition is,” David said. “People like me are here to help. Use your resources.”

David began his own journey of self-growth here at CCP, and he said when he came here, he had an “aha!” moment that showed him he could find everything he was looking for here. He said that he was challenged at CCP and that helped him grow into the person he is today.

“As humans, the necessity to be challenged is integral into the fabric of our makeup. We must be challenged in order to grow,” David said. “And that is what CCP does. That is the thing that I got most out of this experience.”

When asked what he tells folks who have found themselves in similar situations to his, David said, “The thing about growth is that it is uncomfortable, and you are going to have adversaries. But none are bigger than yourself.”

He said that once he was able to get out of his own way, his path became much clearer. And that is what David hopes to inspire others to do through his work in all of his roles.