Staff Member Spotlight: AJ Banuelos

Alongside our amazing volunteers across the country, End Overdose is made up of a small staff team that makes the big things you see at events and in the community happen. We want to give credit where it’s due to our team, so we’re excited to launch our staff member spotlight! Our choice for the inaugural edition of this column is a no-brainer: Director of Community Engagement & Training, AJ Banuelos.

AJ is a vibrant, persistently positive personality who turned harrowing life experiences into an insatiable commitment to service since joining End Overdose. If you’ve been to a festival, a concert, an after-hours party, a community training, or anything in between, you’ve likely seen AJ leading the charge. He’s trained tens of thousands of people with an unshakable smile on his face and is a driving force behind End Overdose’s efforts to train every American on how to identify and respond to an overdose.

Read on below to learn about AJ’s story and his work at End Overdose to date!

Can you tell me about your personal story? What inspired you to first volunteer for End Overdose?

I grew up in the city of Azusa, California, which is nestled in the San Gabriel Valley. I grew up in what is considered a dysfunctional family. My father had a long history with drug and alcohol abuse, was an active gang member, and spent years in and out of prison. This was my normal, what I considered being born into, the cards that I was dealt. My father was someone that I really looked up to and was the one person that I really wanted to be accepted by, he was my role model. Growing up in this environment, I didn’t see my behaviors and actions as a problem, I thought this is how kids in the city I grew up are supposed to act and behave, a sort of code of conduct that I was constantly watching. It’s no surprise that these are the footsteps I followed growing up, I didn’t know any other way to live. I started using substances like marijuana, alcohol, and inhalants at a young age, and soon graduated to methamphetamine my sophomore year. I had multiple run-ins with the law as a juvenile and adult, was homeless during periods of this time, and became an absent father in my 20’s. During my late 20’s I overdosed on opioids. This was by far some of the darkest years I’ve walked through, feelings of being alone and despair surrounded me. After years of battling addiction, I finally hit a ppoint of desperation and decided to get help. I've been clean and sober for over 4 years now.

What inspired me to be a part of End Overdose was just its overall mission to save lives, point blank. I really love the mission and what End Overdose stands for, saving lives by education and passing out life saving resources. I think back to that moment when I overdose, someone did their part to save my life, and that’s probably the only reason I’m here today. That’s what I want to keep doing and paying forward, inspiring and empowering people that they can do something

How was it transitioning from a volunteer to a full-time role?

Transitioning to a full-time role was a bit of a God send for me. When I first started with End Overdose part-time, I was working another job at BJ’s Restaurant which worked with my schedule. Eventually I started to work in the treatment field as I was going to school at that time. I’ve made it clear that I did End Overdose part time and these are the hours I had to work around. Swing shifts and overnights started to take a toll on me, and I was hitting a stage of burnout, I had no time for my own wellbeing and recovery. It just so happened that [End Overdose founder and CEO] Theo offered me a full time role within the organization at that time, perfect timing on God's part and couldn’t have happened at a better time for me. I remember just being so grateful to be a part of something so special. I am forever grateful to the organization for all that it has done and continues to do for our communities across the country.

What lessons have you learned as a director at End Overdose?

I’ve learned so much in my role as Director of Community Engagement here at End Overdose. I can honestly say that this role has taught me how to be responsible and open minded. I’ve learned and grew so much from my early days of End Overdose in December of 2021. A level of professionalism that I’ve never knew I possessed and discovered.There is a strong sense of accomplishment when a task is handed to me and I do my best to get it done. Mistakes come along the way, but those are opportunities to grow! I’ve learned so much from the amazing team and network of volunteers I get to work with. I’m always open to new ideas and most importantly remaining teachable.

What’re your favorite memories of working here?

One of my favorite memories of working with End Overdose was early on packing kits. I remember packing those kits and thinking that each one was meant to save a life. I packed those kits like nobody’s business with the intent on getting them out as soon as possible!

Another memory that I have is just a constant thanks that we get when we are training. The gratitude that people express is beyond anything that I’ve ever felt, it is so fulfilling to hear that from everyone!

What’re your ultimate goals for End Overdose?

My ultimate goals for End Overdose would be to have a chapter in every state and have End Overdose be the go-to for any education or resources that someone is looking for in regards to overdose prevention and response. I want End Overdose to be the name you can trust. I want End Overdose to be the organization that everyone wants to work and collaborate with because of the level of professionalism and passion that they use to help spread their mission to save lives!