Robert Entwistle

Why I’m Here: I am here because, for me, this isn’t a job, it is a sacred commitment. Fate, in its mysterious and often brutal way, did not merely bring me to Ava Health; it compelled me. I carry the weight and the light of a personal history marked by the insidious grip of addiction. I have walked the precarious edge of that darkness myself, and this year, it claimed my beloved brother, an amazing Man who passed away far too young. His memory is the foundational stone of my resolve. I am here to stand in the gap, to build a fortress of healing, and to ensure that for every person who walks through our doors, there is a path to a tomorrow that my brother was tragically denied. Failure is not an option because too many lives depend on the success of this mission.

About Me:

I am a builder, a fixer, and a deeply driven individual whose professional passion for the work I do and working with my hands serves as a vital counterbalance to the emotional intensity of this field. I find profound peace and purpose in turning chaos into order can’t say that I don’t create a little as well. Whether it’s the structural integrity of a building or the operational flow of our day to days. My life has taught me that the environment we inhabit matters; it must be safe, beautiful, and functional. Beyond the professional, I am fiercely loyal, family-oriented, and an emptiest who absorbs the emotional landscape around me. I speak from experience when I say I have hit rock bottom a time or two in life, which has stripped away judgment and replaced it with genuine understanding. My journey is not one of flawless recovery, but of ongoing growth: I am currently learning patience and actively trying hard to work on some of my flaws, making me a fellow traveler on the path of self-improvement.

Why I do this work:

I do this work to honor the memory of the one I lost, but more importantly, to seize the opportunity to rewrite the narrative for others. I believe, with every fiber of my being, that healing requires a safe, intentional container. My drive to work in mental health and substance abuse is rooted in a fundamental understanding of human fragility and human resilience. This is not charity; it is a vital, life-saving necessity. I do this to prove that connection, professional care, and a stable environment can be the most powerful antidote to the isolation and devastation of addiction. The reward is not a paycheck, but the sight of light returning to someone’s eyes.

What I bring professionally:

I bring a meticulous, hands-on, and deeply resourceful expertise in property management and operational excellence. My skill set ensures that the environment at Ava is not a distraction, but a foundation for recovery. I bring the ability to see a problem and know how to fix it, structurally, mechanically, and operationally. My professional rigor is paired with a fierce dedication to sustainability and quality. I ensure that every detail, from the physical space to the procedural flow, is handled with the same care and respect we demand for our clients’ emotional health. I bring the quiet confidence of a person who knows how to keep things running smoothly, no matter the complexity.

How I show up at Ava:

I show up as a steadfast anchor. I am the person who ensures the lights stay on, the environment is pristine, and the operational framework is flawless, allowing our clinicians to focus solely on the vital work of healing. I am resolute, detail-oriented, and profoundly protective of our space and our mission. My deep empathy means I anticipate needs, both structural and human before they are voiced. I show up as someone actively committed to growth, understanding that professional perfection and personal humility are not mutually exclusive.

The emotional core:

My emotional core is a blend of grief transmuted into grit, strengthened by an innate loyalty to my team and our mission. It is the fierce, protective love for the vulnerable human spirit. Having felt the sting of rock bottom, I possess a unique emotional literacy that allows me to connect deeply with the pain and hope of others. My core is the belief that hope must be tangible, and I dedicate myself to making the healing environment itself a physical manifestation of that hope. It is a deep-seated desire to ensure that every client knows, without having to be told, that they are worthy of a stable, beautiful place to heal, because I know what it feels like to question that worthiness.

What grounds me:

I am grounded by the feeling of wood, concrete, and purpose. I am grounded by the tangible reality of a job done well—the solid feel of a newly installed fixture, the clean lines of a well-maintained property. This work with my hands pulls me out of the purely emotional and into the physical, reminding me that change and repair are always possible. I am also grounded by the profound understanding that my personal history is not a burden, but a badge of authenticity. My commitment to my family, both those related by blood and those chosen through this work, and my ongoing commitment to patience and self-improvement keeps me humble and focused. This mission is my grounding force, a daily reminder that the best way to heal myself is to help build a safe space for others to begin their own journey.