We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kira Reid-Aragon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kira below.

Kira, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The Reach For The Stars (RFTS) Nonprofit Co-Founder and CEO, Carlos Aragon, found  life through the lens of a simple Wal-Mart telescope after being homeless. Two years later,  after sharing the views of Saturn and Jupiter in parking lots of a Safeway, him and his wife,  Kira, started RFTS. This was in 2020 during the pandemic, due to the demand at the time,  they primarily delivered food to families that could not leave home. Thousands. Centering  their values around, “no questions asked.” 

With the food, however they wanted to provide an escape from the pandemic, a telescope.  The kids LOVED this. 

During 2020 and early 2021, they quickly realized that the youth that volunteered to assist  in organizing the food program and the youth receiving the food program, all had something  in common; they were ALL struggling with their social emotional well-being and mental  health. Some, to the point of suicidal thoughts at the young age of 9. This was eye opening. 

The awesome thing however was, these kids were all interested in healing and finding  something bigger than themselves. They wanted to live, they just didn’t know how to cope. 

It was then that RFTS realized mental health was an epidemic . It does not care about your  socioeconomic status, age, gender, ethnicity, or background. It is real and very prevalent  among youth. 

RFTS immediately planned, best way to engage the youth population and change their  mindset to transform and save their lives.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My husband and I are extremely passionate and dedicated to ensuring Reach for The Stars is  a positive environment for those in it. If that means setting strong boundaries around  volunteering or leadership, then it must. Everything goes downhill, and the most important  individuals are our youth. Our vision is to empower as many struggling youth in the world,  in our community, and throughout the public by the uplifting power of astronomy, space,  coping skills and simple acts of love. 

I was Air Force for 12 years and am now a Decorated Combat Wounded Warrior and  Retired Veteran, a mother to 3 boys and live with my husband and organization partner and  best friend, Carlos in Tucson, Arizona. 

I have gone to school for Military Intelligence Studies, Social Work and even have my  CDA in Early Childhood, along with a dozen certifications. 

Starting this phenomenal innovative, first of its kind mission was a simple decision. Its  spreading knowledge, love and inspiration. 

After combating alcoholism, PTSD, multiple traumas, brain surgery, and early pregnancy…  following the guidance of the holy spirit this is what made the most sense for my “purpose.” 

I have a love for learning and believe learning your EQ will take you the farthest in life. I  love taking on leadership roles within the community. I enjoy school, reading, building  organizational structure and culture. 

I give my whole heart to my family and friends, and all of my time, talent and treasure to the  mission of RFTS because these kids deserve to grow up feeling like they can conquer the  world, while loving themselves. Loving themselves is key. 

“Creating an awe-inspiring space for youth to shine.” -Kira 

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

I have had to unlearn judgment. This is always and will always be a continuing unlearned  behavior.

As humans, we all tend to assume outcomes, results and who people are based on OUR  experiences. 

We must not judge people based on a 30 second impression, five minute conversation or  really ever. 

Why? Due to never knowing the background. The external or internal factors. 

We can set boundaries, and remove ourselves if we feel we are not being respected or we  cannot budge them. However, we should not project our judgment based on our boundaries. 

In other words, we set a boundary that people should always be on time (if not 15 mins  early). 

Ok. And if they are not? Do you judge? Do you say they are so rude, they are disrespectful  of MY TIME. They don’t think this is important…. yadda yadda. 

What if you look at it this way. You set the boundary. Be here at 7. Then you start at 7. Or  give a 3 min grace period. 

If someone is late, you ask, are you ok? So sorry, but we must get started. 

Then think of that ONE time you were late. 

Consider how it literally could be anything. Sick kid, screaming kid, traffic, fight with  spouse, poured coffee on blouse (had to change), car didn’t start, lost keys, someone stopped them (the talkers). 

Have grace. Show love. Unlearn judgment. 

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

My life is a story of resilience. I was pregnant at age 12, gave my beautiful son up for  adoption. Had an open adoption. He is now 25. 

I then joined the military at age 19, was a single mother for 7 years to my second son. He is  now 21.

At age 23, I had a traumatic brain injury, and had brain surgery. My son was 5. I had no  family (as a Air Force member). 

I came out of brain surgery a completely different “person.” My brain chemistry had  changed. I no longer felt like “me.” It was the hardest and most depressing time in my life. I  was grateful to have my faith and therapy. 

I then learned to appreciate the “new, weird me” as I call it. 

I remarried at 26 and had my last son. I received orders to deploy when he was just a year  old. I was devastated. 

I was running marathons to stay clear headed. 

I deployed for an entire year, turning off all emotional connection so that I could survive  (mentally). During my deployment, I made a best friend in my roommate, found faith, and  ran marathons. 

However, I was sent home due to my brain condition at a year and diagnosed with Epilepsy  and severe depression, PTSD and anxiety. 

Due to this, I was medically discharged. I then got into a severe car accident. I was  devastated once again. I loved the Air Force and it was taken from me along with running. 

I started school to stay busy. But my life was in shambles. I gained weight, lost it. It was a  roller-coaster ride. 

I felt alone. Felt I had no purpose. I started drinking to numb my pain and sadness. 

I was suicidal. I was not okay. But had to be. So I got up AGAIN, went to rehab for 6  months. They saved me. I stopped drinking and went to PTSD therapy. 

This is where I met my best friend. My now husband. 

Resiliency is key in life. I wouldn’t take away anything. I appreciate all I have gained and  learned from my eexperiences.

Without pain, struggle and mistakes, there is no resiliency. If there is no resiliency, there is  little grace, wisdom, empathy, compassion, and love. 

Appreciate your ups. Definitely appreciate your downs.  

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.rftstars.com/
• Instagram: @rftstars
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rftstarsorg?mibextid=ZbWKwL
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karagon
• Youtube: @kira_aragon

Image Credits
Jessica Korff Carlos Aragon