Meet Agostino Fabbri, a risk taker, an Italian immigrant, father, husband, son, cancer survivor, retired small business owner, and a man who embodies the American Dream.

I stopped in Fresh Bean Coffee Co. in Southgate to grab a coffee. I noticed a group of men conversing in Italian. Agostino waved me over, invited me to join them, and offered me an espresso. I asked him if he noticed me listening in. He told me it was my hair and smile, so big, that grabbed his attention. I will take it. I stayed and joined them again the following weekend.

In the late 1950’s Agostino moved to Paris and worked construction. There were few financial opportunities for him in San Marino. His girlfriend back then told him to move home and marry her or she would break up with him. She ended up breaking up with him. After, he reached out to his mother Anna Fabbri, for advice, whom he calls his greatest light. He also speaks of his wife, Delia Fabbri with the same acclaim. His mama, as he calls her, encouraged him to follow his aunt and uncle’s path to America- Southgate, Michigan to be exact. He had a dream for a better life. He said back then he had almost nothing but he decided to take the risk and move. From that point forward he worked, showed up everyday, and said it was his optimism that carried him through. He was able to build his own construction company, Fabbri & Sons. His company built commercial buildings such as hotels, shopping centers, and four churches in the Metro Detroit area. After 35 years he retired.

His biggest priorities for our district is to plant seeds for the new generation, to think differently, and make decisions with the greater good in mind.

Today, Agostino is 80 years young. He successfully finished his prostate cancer treatment this past March. His wife, Delia and him enjoy going to their cottage on long weekends. He is most looking forward to traveling to San Marino this summer with his wife to stay in their home there. Agostino, Joe, Russell, Gaspare, Caesar, and Salvatore welcomed me to have a seat at their table as if I were one of them. If only all tables could feel like that. They want me to continue to stop in and join them. These men do not all have the same priorities or political affiliations. They are united by their Italian heritage and their love of our Downriver community. I am honored to have gotten the opportunity to hear their story, listen to their point of view, and share coffee with them.

Meet Lori, she is a mother, substitute teacher, active Downriver community member, and cancer survivor. She has one of the most optimistic outlooks I have ever encountered. The kindness and compassion she has radiates. Four years ago, she found a lump in her breast and was diagnosed with stage four metastatic breast cancer. Since that day, she has had to fight, persevere, and learn how to navigate the unimaginable. She pursued treatment with Henry Ford Hospital. Not only did she follow the advice of care professionals but she also actively sought out alternative holistic therapies to aid in her care. Her story is powerful. But her struggle has not defined her.

Today, Lori is a vegan and you can catch her on the Peloton or doing yoga. She is committed to living a healthy lifestyle. Her condition requires her to receive treatments for the rest of her life.

These treatments can leave her feeling fatigued and also lower her platelet count. It is a reminder of how important it is to wear a mask and take precautions to protect our vulnerable population of fellow community members during the pandemic.

It is one of my top priorities to listen to the stories from people like Lori and seek out information from healthcare professionals to ensure all Downriver residents have access to quality and affordable care. When someone has fight a battle as momentous as cancer it is additionally stressful to have navigate hurdles from insurance companies and find ways to pay for care just to strive for survival.

I have only been campaigning for a few months but it is on days like today and conversations like this, that I am reminded of how fortunate I am. This community and these conversations have made me a better person. I have so much gratitude for all of the individuals who are so willing to share their stories with me. Lori, thank you for spending time with me, buying me a coffee, and sharing your incredible story. I am in awe of you.

Meet PJ and Hank. PJ is a retired Navy SEAL. Hank is his service dog who was trained by Mutts With A Mission, an organization which serves retired service members with qualifying disabilities. PJ and Hank work together at Gorno Ford in Woodhaven.

PJ wanted to share his story with me so I could advocate for him and his fellow veterans. He expressed that while he does receive care as a service member, there is not always a clear cut answer to adequately treat his post-service ailments and more can be done to support him and other service men and women.

PJ would like more advocates in Lansing for funding of programs for veterans, service members, and their families. We agreed that veterans should have timely and quality access to health care services, disability benefits, and transition assistance. Furthermore, he wants to encourage the consideration of researched-based therapies to help treat PTSD, TBI, and suicide prevention.

Additionally, the state legislature should be actively protecting voting rights for our veterans. I will advocate for strong protections to ensure that our military personnel can vote securely and easily overseas.

Listening to the members in our community informs my priorities as your next State Representative. PJ- thank you for your service to our country and taking the time to speak to me on your lunch break today. You and Hank make Downriver strong.