THE DAISY ADAMS CENTER

United States Army veteran Alberto C. Araujo has dedicated his life to service, leadership, and the care of others. Serving as a medic in the United States Army, Alberto deployed overseas in support of military operations where he fulfilled a variety of critical leadership and medical roles. Throughout his service, he provided emergency medical care, mentored fellow soldiers, and rendered aid to individuals and communities in need under some of the most challenging conditions imaginable. His military experience shaped his commitment to compassion, resilience, and servant leadership.

Following his military career, Alberto pursued advanced education and training in mental health studies at Webster University, where he developed a deeper understanding of behavioral health, trauma, and therapeutic support systems. During his internship, Alberto spent a year at the Daisy Adams Center as a Behavioral Health Technician, working directly with adults facing complex mental health and behavioral health challenges. This experience reinforced his passion for advocating for vulnerable populations and helping individuals achieve stability, dignity, and independence.

Alberto went on to spend several years working as a substance abuse counselor, assisting individuals and families affected by addiction, trauma, and co-occurring disorders. He also dedicated significant time to supporting veterans and military families struggling with PTSD and the difficult transition to life after military service. Drawing from both professional expertise and personal military experience, Alberto became a trusted advocate for veterans seeking healing, purpose, and community reintegration.

Alberto eventually returned to the Daisy Adams Center to serve as Program Director, bringing with him a vision centered on compassion, innovation, and community support. Under his leadership, the Daisy Adams Center continues to grow as a place of mental health, hope, healing, together — empowering adults with dual diagnoses and behavioral health disorders to live fuller, more meaningful lives within the community.

Anvita Varma holds a dual role at the Daisy Adams Center, serving as the Administrative Assistant as well as a Behavioral Health Technician. She found a passion for mental health during high school, when she took the AP Psychology course. This course sparked her to pursue a major in Psychology, leading her to later graduate with her B.S. in Psychology from Florida State University. While Anvita is still at the start of her professional journey, she often found herself in the position of a trusted leader during her college journey. As PR Chair of the South Asian Student Association at FSU, Anvita’s position allowed for general members to speak to her about their concerns, grievances, or general health. This position also presented her the opportunity to reach out to the community when tragedy struck FSU’s campus in 2025, and she established the organization’s Instagram DMs and various other contact sites as safe spaces to heal. She also platformed the school’s free mental health services for students to use, as well as spoke in many discussions of mental health around the campus, and how it affected people of disparate communities. Anvita continues to grow with the lessons the Daisy Adams Center teaches her everyday.