Every parent dreams of a bright future for their child. But for Greg and Sandra, that future took a devastating turn when their son was radicalized and ultimately arrested while attempting to join ISIS. Their story, recently featured in a PBS NewsHour segment, highlights the harsh reality of extremist recruitment—and the hope that intervention can bring.
A Family’s Nightmare
Greg and Sandra’s son was an intelligent and passionate young man, deeply curious about spirituality. Raised Catholic, he eventually explored Islam and converted. What his parents didn’t realize was that he had also begun speaking with an individual who would radicalize him. Over time, this relationship led him down a dangerous path—one that would culminate in his arrest for attempting to provide material support to ISIS.
For Greg and Sandra, the signs were subtle at first. Their son withdrew, spent increasing time online, and immersed himself in rigid, black-and-white thinking. Like many parents, they had no reference point for recognizing or addressing radicalization. Even after the FBI visited their home, they found themselves alone, struggling to reach their son.
Finding Support in Parents for Peace
At their lowest point, Greg and Sandra discovered Parents for Peace. Our nonprofit specializes in helping families navigate extremism, providing confidential support and intervention strategies tailored to each case. When they reached out, they found understanding, guidance, and a path forward.
Through weekly calls while he was incarcerated, Parents for Peace interventionists worked with Greg and Sandra’s son to challenge his extremist beliefs. Rather than shame or punishment, the approach focused on open dialogue, critical thinking, and emotional support. Over time, he began to reconsider his path, eventually rejecting the ideology that once consumed him.
The Power of Compassionate Intervention
As the PBS segment highlighted, radicalization operates much like an addiction—a rigid belief system that provides certainty, identity, and purpose. Simply telling someone to stop is ineffective. Parents for Peace helps families build bridges rather than barriers, equipping them with tools to communicate with their loved ones and disrupt the cycle of extremism.
Our team of experts and former extremists work to:
- Break isolation by reconnecting individuals with their families and communities.
- Challenge extremist narratives through open-ended conversations, not confrontation.
- Address underlying vulnerabilities like trauma, social disconnection, or unmet emotional needs.
- Provide ongoing support—because disengagement from extremism is a process, not an event.
A Growing Need, A Call for Action
Demand for our work is at an all-time high. In just the first half of 2023, Parents for Peace conducted over 400 intervention sessions and worked with more than 40 families. But with limited resources, there are still families on our waiting list, desperate for guidance as they watch their loved ones slip further into extremism.
As Greg and Sandra’s story illustrates, radicalization is not an abstract issue—it’s happening in homes across America. And too often, parents have nowhere to turn until it’s too late. Our goal is to change that by making prevention, intervention, and support more accessible.
Hope for the Future
Greg and Sandra’s son is now serving an 11-year sentence. But despite the pain of separation, his relationship with his parents has never been stronger. Thanks to the intervention and support he received, he now understands the manipulation he fell victim to and is working toward a future beyond extremism.
Greg and Sandra hope that by sharing their story, they can raise awareness about the need for early intervention—so that other families don’t have to go through the same trauma. Their message is clear: the justice system alone cannot be the only response to radicalization. Prevention and rehabilitation must be part of the solution.
How You Can Help
If you are concerned about a loved one or want to learn more about how to support families affected by extremism, Parents for Peace is here to help.
Call our confidential helpline today. Together, we can build a future where compassion and understanding triumph over hate.
To watch the full PBS segment, click here.
