Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Kurtis Moore. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Kurtis , thanks for joining us today. How did you get your first job in the field that you practice in today?

When I first walked through the doors of CityTeam, I was lost. Not just physically, but in every sense of the word. I had been searching for direction, a purpose, a place where I truly belonged. For a long time, I felt like I was just drifting, unsure of my next step. But something about CityTeam felt different—it felt like a place where I could grow, where I could finally find my footing.

At first, the program challenged me. I had to learn discipline, structure, and what it meant to truly serve others. But as I settled in, I found my stride. Working with the men in the program and engaging with the community became my passion. I saw transformation happening right in front of me—lives being rebuilt, hope being restored—and I knew I was exactly where I was meant to be.

I excelled in the program, pushing myself beyond what I thought I was capable of. The work was demanding, but it was also rewarding. By the time I graduated, I had built a reputation as a leader, someone who not only worked hard but truly cared about the people we served. My efforts didn’t go unnoticed—CityTeam offered me an internship to continue the work I had grown to love.

During my internship, I poured everything I had into the role. I took on more responsibilities, mentored others, and continued growing both professionally and personally. When the internship ended, I was offered a position in the Youth Collective program, working with young adults who had aged out of foster care. It was a perfect fit—these were individuals searching for the same sense of belonging and purpose that I had once struggled to find.

From there, I kept climbing. Each new challenge was an opportunity to learn and grow. I took on leadership roles, expanded programs, and helped shape the future of the Youth Collective. Before I knew it, I had worked my way up the ladder, turning what once felt like uncertainty into a fulfilling career.

Looking back, I see now that getting lost was just part of the journey. It led me to CityTeam, to my purpose, and to a future I never could have imagined. And for that, I am forever grateful.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I used to work in the oil industry, where the focus was on production, efficiency, and the bottom line. But when I went through the CityTeam program, my perspective completely changed. I fell in love with loving people—seeing their struggles, walking alongside them, and helping them rebuild their lives. Through my time in the program, I discovered a new passion for serving individuals who had been lost, broken, or overlooked. That passion led me to a career where I could make a real difference, helping others find hope and a fresh start, just as I had. As I immersed myself in the work at CityTeam, I realized that fulfillment didn’t come from profits or production—it came from people. I saw firsthand the power of transformation, not just in the lives of those we served, but in my own heart as well.

I became passionate about helping individuals who had been through hardships, whether it was homelessness, addiction, or the challenges of aging out of foster care. I saw how just a little support, guidance, and genuine care could change someone’s entire trajectory.

This new purpose led me down a completely different path. After excelling in the CityTeam program, I was offered an internship, where I deepened my skills and gained even more experience working directly with those in need. That opportunity turned into a job offer, allowing me to work with youth who had aged out of foster care in the Youth Collective program.

From there, I committed myself to growth, taking on more responsibilities and making an even greater impact. I worked my way up, turning my passion into a career. What started as a personal journey of transformation became a mission to help others find hope and purpose, just as I had. Looking back, leaving the oil industry was the best decision I ever made—because I found my true calling in loving and serving people.

Training and knowledge matter of course, but beyond that what do you think matters most in terms of succeeding in your field?

Compassion is the upmost important trait to have, working with individuals who are suffering from numerous illnesses, addiction, and mental health. You have to have a heart to serve. You have to come into work everyday without bias, without hate, and without judgment. You have to come ready to love those who do not love themselves and who society has failed to accept.

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

I’ve endured many struggles in life, ones that shaped me in ways I didn’t fully understand at the time. My father was abusive, his violence fueled by a deep addiction to alcohol. Growing up in an impoverished neighborhood, I quickly learned that survival meant being aggressive, standing my ground, and making sure no one took advantage of me.

Even with everything working against me, I tried my best to be a decent person. But without the right guidance—without strong, positive male figures to show me another way—I ultimately fell into a lifestyle that was severely unhealthy. I lost my job, and my drug use became more serious. One bad decision led to another, and soon I found myself in and out of jail for various reasons. I had become a menace to society, hurting myself and those around me without fully realizing the damage I was causing.

Then, my son was born. At first, I convinced myself that I could still live the way I had been while being a father. But deep down, I knew the truth—I was putting him in the same situation I had grown up in. He deserved better. He deserved a father who would protect him, not one he would fear.

My fiancée had always believed in me. No matter how bad things got, she never kept my son from me. But then came the day that changed everything. I showed up too high, too dirty, and for the first time, she refused to let me hold him. That moment shattered me. I had lost control, and now, I was losing my son.

On top of that, I was facing four years in prison. I knew I couldn’t keep living this way. I had two choices: continue down the road I was on and let it destroy me, or make a change. I chose change. I turned myself in and began serving my time, but instead of just sitting in a cell, I took the opportunity to enter a program.

That program became the turning point of my life. It reshaped my perspective, my values, and my sense of purpose. I learned what it meant to be a real man—not one ruled by anger, addiction, or survival instincts, but one who put his family first. I realized the power of second chances and committed myself to helping others who, like me, had once felt lost and hopeless.

From that moment on, I dedicated my life to making sure that people who couldn’t care for themselves had the same opportunity to change that I had been given. I refused to let my past define me—I was building a future, for myself, for my son, and for every person out there who needed to see that redemption was possible.