Image Credit: April Heath LMT
Helping people reclaim their lives with a safety net of community and resources.
I walked through the doors of South Florida Wellness Network, not knowing what to expect. Would it smell sterile like a clinic? Had they painted the walls lifeless gray? What sort of activities went on in there?
It pays to have Beginner’s Mind. The entrance was secure and once I was let inside to a vibrant blue interior, I was greeted with a broad smile and asked if I had an appointment. I did have an appointment to see Kayla, the Program Director, but I was early. The smiling lady behind the front desk instructed me to sign in, so I did.
Then I got a chance to talk to Ed, the Outreach Coordinator. We sat at high-top tables in a broad space that accommodated a stage, drums, reading nook, billiards, and other activities. I learned from him that a day with air in my lungs and a beat in my heart is a fantastic day. He learned from me that everyday, we get to open two gifts: our eyes. I certainly could have spent more time in Ed’s company learning and teaching.
A joyful mingling of colors adorned the walls in a mural that can only be described as hopeful and optimistic. The message was that transformation is possible. It happens every day. It happens right here.
When Kayla came for me, she carried a clipboard and wore a beaming smile. She escorted me to a private room decorated in charcoal gray, royal purple, and black. I felt right at home. Those are my personal favorite colors. She told me that the Hollywood location of SFWN attracts lots of youths and the mission is to address the community’s recovery needs in a holistic way.
The center hosts open mic, drumming, arts, financial management, and more to empower people to be resilient and self-reliant. Many people who go in have history of trauma, and for too many that leads to addiction. By meeting people where they are on their journey without judgment, SFWN helps them take all the steps necessary along the path of healing and restoration.
Kayla showed me the Bio-Sound room. It’s an intimate space with an unassuming table and flat screen TV. People lie on the table. Sounds at specific frequencies are played through headphones and the table vibrates. It can be programmed to alleviate anxiety, depression, pain, or simply soothe the nervous system.
I was so impressed with the array of resources. They seemed to spread like a safety net to support people in need of recovery. Kayla’s passion and dedication were evident. There was no way for her to contain or mask them. Kayla mentioned The Body Keeps the Score, which I haven’t committed to reading yet, though I am aware of muscle memory.
Humans internalize trauma and it embeds into our muscles. There are ways to unravel traumatic muscle memory and let it go, but safe space needs to be established.
Our conversation was so symbiotic that I didn’t want it to end. The values underlying our missions are so similar.
I’m proud to support SFWN by donating five $100 gift cards for their silent auction at their Bridges & Butterflies Gala in September.
If you or someone you love needs addiction recovery, call SFWN at 954.533.0585 or visit their website at https://www.sfwn.org/rcc-south.
Inspired to support their mission and fundraising goals? Reserve your tickets to the gala by clicking here.
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