Meet the Team: Mario Ybarbo

Mario has been a Peer Navigator with Thrive for almost two years now and his field of expertise lies in jail ministry. Kairos Prison Ministry has been a close working ally. He enjoys interacting with new people and seeing his peers’ continued success after he’s worked with them.

Mario’s journey through recovery has been one with ups and downs. He recognizes that a setback is an opportunity for a comeback. He has been in and out of recovery for 25 years. His latest stint has been his most successful with him celebrating 10 years this coming December. The best advice he can offer his clients is to take it one day at a time. He’s inspired by the incredible team from Thrive around him.

He considers himself a steward of his own recovery and practices the principles that have gotten him this far every day. Through his experiences as a peer supporter, he has learned just how many people care and want to help others dealing with mental health and drug addiction recovery issues.

He has two beautiful daughters who live with him. Mario is a pet lover who enjoys playing music, reading and hanging out on his front porch. He loves steak sandwiches and Mystery Science Theater 3000. His best vacation ever was to Texas to see relatives, and if ever stranded on a deserted island he couldn’t survive without his journal, a pencil, and a guitar.