|
 At the age of 17, Rick Quiroga left Cuzco, Peru to come to the United States, with no formal education, family, or English skills, but with a dream of pursuing an education and training to become a doctor. While he never pursued medicine, his work over the last three decades has fulfilled his dream of giving a voice to people in need, helped to save thousands of lives, and repaired hundreds of families torn apart by addiction.
Living with a host family in Wellesley, Rick rode his bike to Boston and back every day to learn English and earn his high school diploma at night school. In his 20s, Rick’s life took a detour that led him through several difficult years of alcoholism and addiction. 
This personal setback would provide the strength and experience that led him to his calling as an addictions counselor. He became a citizen of the United States in 1980, eventually went on to pursue a Masters in Education and began his life’s work as a social advocate, community builder and treatment pioneer in the field of bilingual substance abuse treatment.
 With a disarming sense of humor and unstoppable spirit, Rick has successfully navigated social, ethnic and cultural differences, to seek support from anyone who will listen or lend a hand to Latinos in recovery. While many across the Commonwealth and in the City of Boston were not at first sympathetic to his mission, Rick undertook the mammoth task of converting as many supporters as he could to his cause.
From the “Old Boys” network at the State House, the City Council, Mayor Flynn and Mayor Menino, to bankers, lawyers, and other grassroots leaders, Rick has reached out, educated, cajoled, advocated to and collaborated with all of them. Through decades of civic engagement and activity, he has created avenues of access for people on the margins, connecting those who feel shut out of the system to their representatives. His advocacy continues to empower the disenfranchised to improve their lives. |
