Beaches Finds Fun and Meaning in Recovery Events

Healing Begins Here

By Kim Fielding-Payne
Staff Writer, Beaches Recovery Services, LLC

Recovery Month is under way, and Beaches Recovery Services has jumped in with both feet. Sponsoring four recovery events in the Jacksonville Beach area and attending them has been both fun and meaningful to the entire Beaches team.

“It’s been inspiring to see so many people come together to raise awareness about the disease of addiction and remove the stigma attached to it,” said Lauren Harrell, Office Manager at Beaches Recovery Services, LLC. “There’s something hopeful about people in recovery not having to hide anymore,” said Harrell.

This year, Beaches Recovery has co-sponsored an Art Walk, Recovery Walk, and a Soft Ball Game. Everyone at Beaches Recovery is naturally looking forward to the Block Party on September 30th at 940 Bridier Street in Jacksonville, FL at 5:00 PM.

The Art Walk gave community members the opportunity to come downtown and experience a night of art and culture. In addition to learning more about the art scene in downtown Jacksonville, event goers could stop by tents that offered behavioral health information.  

The 11th Annual Recovery Walk was a celebration of recovery. More than a dozen members of the Beaches Recovery community attended the walk. Hundreds more showed up to walk and show their support for those in recovery and to inspire those who haven’t yet begun their recovery journey. “The excitement was contagious,” said Sharon Ray, a case worker at Beaches Recovery. “It’s exciting to see the community come together for an event like this,” said Ray.

“This was also a great day to have some fun,” said Scott Cretul, Outdoor Therapeutic Adventure Program Director, Beaches Recovery, LLC. “It’s important for our clients to be connected to the community and know that they can have fun in sober ways”, Cretul added.  

More than 15 clients, along with staff members from Beaches Recovery, participated in an afternoon of softball games with two other treatment centers in the area. Each treatment center formed its own team and played against one another in a number of games until a winner was determined. “The most memorable part of the day was how well all of the clients played together and how much fun everyone had,” said Sara Mackelburg, Admissions Specialist, Beaches Recovery, LLC.  

But the fun doesn’t end there. Many of the staff and clients at Beaches Recovery are looking forward to the block party that takes place on September 30th at 940 Bridier Street in Jacksonville, FL at 5:00 PM.  If you’re in the Jacksonville area, and you’re in recovery, come on down and enjoy some sober fun including music, games, and BBQ.  

The entire staff at Beaches encourages you to attend recovery events near you that celebrates the recovery journey and inspires others to begin their journey as well as celebrate those in recovery all year. Recovery is possible as evidenced by millions of people who are in recovery and living full lives. We have the privilege of working with people in recovery every day and seeing lives change for the better.

If you or someone you love needs help, call us at 866.605.0532.  Healing begins here!