Page 100 - April 2015 Life In Naples Magazine

HODGES “My experience at
Hodges University
UNIVERSITY was life-changing.
The support and
NAMES OLIVARES FOUNDERS AWARD RECIPIENT encouragement that I
received helped me to
change my beliefs about
myself and what I could
accomplish. As soon
as I arrived at Hodges,
I knew I was going to

”succeed.

–Raphael (Alex) Olivares

H odges University has named Raphael (Alex) Olivares RAPHAEL OLIVARES
as this year’s recipient of the 2015 Founders Award
– an honor presented annually to an exemplary to the community on the subject.
Hodges University graduate who has provided outstanding Since obtaining his Master of Science
and distinguished service to our community. The Award was
presented at the 19th annual Humanitarian of the Year Awards degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
luncheon recently. from Hodges University,Rafael has earned his
certification as a domestic violence advocate
“I am deeply honored to receive the 2015 Founders Award,”said by the Florida Coalition against Domestic
Olivares. “My experience at Hodges University was life-changing. Violence. He is currently the coordinator for
The support and encouragement that I received helped me to the Florida Gulf Coast University Resource
change my beliefs about myself and what I could accomplish. As Center on Human Trafficking as well as one
soon as I arrived at Hodges, I knew I was going to succeed.” of the clinicians in the Human Trafficking
Victims Assistance Counseling Program at
Born in Boston, Rafael Olivares grew up in both the Catholic Charities.
United States with his parents and in the Dominican Republic
where his grandparents lived. After graduating high school in Rafael lives in Naples with his wife
Massachusetts, Rafael moved back to the Dominican Republic Scarlett and their two children.
to spend more time with his grandparents and to enroll at
Catholic University in Santo Domingo.

Rafael earned a degree in clinical psychology there in 2004
and has gone on to work in various social service settings.
He began his professional career as a clinician working with
chronically mentally ill patients in Lawrence, Massachusetts.
After relocating to Florida he has worked as a non-residential
counselor for Lutheran Services Florida, residential program
director at the Oasis Youth Shelter, and as program director for
Human Trafficking Services for Catholic Charities.

Rafael has also served as chairman of the Southwest Florida
Human Trafficking Coalition where, under his leadership, the
organization expanded to various counties hosting symposiums on
Human Trafficking in our area. He is a member of the local Human
Trafficking Task Force and regularly provides training and outreach

100 Life in Naples | April 2015