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Naples, FL – The David Lawrence Centers, Collier County’s only comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and substance use treatment facility serving children, adults and families, has announced that due to Hurricane Irma, the 28^th Annual Recovery Month Awards Dinner has been moved to Thursday, November 2, 2017 at 5:00 p.m. at the New Hope Community Center located at 7676 Davis Boulevard in Naples.

David Lawrence Centers is joining the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) and other voices of recovery from across the nation to observe National Recovery Month. This observance increases awareness and understanding of behavioral health conditions and supports those in recovery. This celebration promotes the messages that: behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment is effective, and people recover from mental and substance use disorders.

The 2017 Recovery Month theme, “Join the Voices for Recovery: Strengthen Families and Communities”, inspires communities to be socially inclusive and offer support to those with mental and/or substance use disorders. It also encourages members of the community to seek help when needed, lend a hand, and contribute to their community as citizens, parents, employees, students, volunteers, and leaders.

David Lawrence Centers will honor the observance by celebrating individuals and organizations in our community for their outstanding contributions to support those in recovery at the Annual Recovery Month Awards Ceremony. The event will be emceed by WINK news anchor Therese O’Shea.

At the awards ceremony, David Lawrence Centers will honor the following outstanding individuals and organizations for sharing their voices to advocate, educate, mentor and help others in need of mental health and addiction recovery services:

Heather Wesling is being honored as a Recovery Community Volunteer. Heather regularly volunteers her time bringing 12-step meetings to the David Lawrence Centers Crossroad Detox program, participates in recovery meetings at the Crossroads Residential treatment program and sponsors women graduating the program. In addition to her work with David Lawrence Centers, Heather is an active volunteer leader with Alcoholics Anonymous where she focuses her time and energy bringing 12-step meetings to the local jails and sponsoring many women in recovery.

Coach Nino Magaddino is being honored as a Holistic Treatment Partner. Coach Nino is the owner of Max Flex Fitness and has been a treatment partner with David Lawrence Centers since 2015. He and his trainers bring six weekly fitness and wellness classes to adults in the Crossroads Residential treatment program and children and adults in the inpatient Crisis Stabilization Unit. In addition to helping hundreds of clients begin to understand the importance of fitness for maintaining positive life-changing wellness, he is strong advocate for individuals struggling with addiction and provides fundraising and volunteer support to David Lawrence Centers .

Veora Little is being honored as a Youth Prevention Volunteer. Veora, a retired Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist, has served as the Volunteer Coordinator for Drug Free Collier’s Operation Medicine Cabinet® where she works tirelessly to keep harmful pills from falling into the wrong hands and contaminating our environment. As a result of her efforts, Collier County has effectively disposed of more than 13 tons of unwanted medication at 11 permanent drop box locations. Veora’s passion and dedication for our community proves that one person can truly make a difference.

Bill Barnett is being honored as a Holistic Treatment Volunteer. Bill is the founder and executive director of Storytellers Creative Arts which transforms lives through faith-based arts outreach, community groups and equipping artists to impact culture. Through his efforts, he manages more than 60 volunteers who teach art and music therapy to hundreds of men, women and children who are disadvantaged, homeless, disabled, visually impaired and in recovery. He coordinates a weekly volunteer art therapy class at the Crossroads Residential treatment program and is a strong advocate for the healing, holistic effects of the arts.

Commissioner Andy Solis, Esq. is being honored as a Mental Health Champion. Commissioner Solis is a Director with the law firm of Cohen & Grigsby and serves as the Vice Chair of the Collier County Board of Commissioners. His community involvement and advocacy efforts include championing the needs of the Hispanic population, economic diversity and the responsible management of the County’s growth which includes being adequately prepared for the future mental health and substance use needs of our community. This year, Commissioner Solis held a public health forum to start a conversation for identifying and addressing what is needed to get a better handle on the growing mental health and substance use crisis in our community. As a result, the Commissioners have committed to developing an unprecedented, first-ever Collier County mental health strategic plan.

The evening includes education and awareness community partner tables during the reception, entertainment, dinner, a raffle and the awards ceremony.

Sponsors to date include the David Lawrence Centers Alumni Association, St. Matthew’s House, Hazelden Betty Ford, Genoa, Healthcare Network of Southwest Florida and Park Royal Hospital.

Sponsorships and donations help ensure the event is able to remain free to attend. Donations are appreciated and will be accepted at the event or in advance by calling 239-354-1434 or donating online at DavidLawrenceCenter.org. To make a reservation, visit DavidLawrenceCenter.org or e-mail the names of your guests to Sue Weber at SueW@dlcmhc.com.

Southwest Florida nonprofit David Lawrence Centers is a national leader in providing world-class mental health and substance use solutions for children, adolescents and adults. The Center’s innovative, integrated treatment includes inpatient, outpatient, residential, and community-based services – a comprehensive system of care funded by community and government support. Each year, David Lawrence Centers creates life-changing wellness for more than 9,000 people through over 220,000 treatment sessions. To learn more, please call (239) 491-7602 or visit www.DavidLawrenceCenter.org.

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