“Recovery is not one and done. It is a lifelong journey that takes place one day, one step at a time.”
— Toni Sorenson
Spring into Recovery
As the days grow longer and the flowers begin to bloom, May invites us to reflect on renewal—not just in nature, but within ourselves. In recovery, spring is a powerful metaphor: it’s a time to plant new intentions, nurture growth, and shed old patterns that no longer serve us.
It’s also Mental Health Awareness Month, a perfect reminder that recovery isn’t only about staying sober—it’s about healing the mind, body, and spirit. Recovery and mental wellness go hand-in-hand, and both deserve intentional care.
Growth in Recovery
Growth can be quiet and slow, like the roots of a plant spreading beneath the surface. Maybe you’ve been sober for a while but feel stuck. That’s okay—plateaus are part of the process. Growth doesn’t always mean big breakthroughs; it can look like asking for help, showing up when you don’t feel like it, or choosing rest over chaos.
Self-Care Isn’t Selfish
Self-care is essential to both recovery and mental health. It’s about filling your cup so you can keep pouring into your life, your relationships, and your recovery. Start small.
- Morning Check-Ins: Ask yourself, How am I feeling today? and What do I need? Try journaling or using a feelings wheel to explore your emotions.
- Digital Detox: Take 30 minutes a day away from screens. Use that time to go for a walk, read something uplifting, or just breathe.
- Create a “Calm Corner”: A cozy space at home with candles, a soft blanket, and maybe a recovery book or inspirational quote.
- Move Your Body: Gentle movement like stretching, walking, or dancing can regulate your nervous system and boost your mood.
Fun Recovery Tools to Try
Recovery doesn’t have to be rigid—it can be creative and joyful, too. Here are a few tools you can integrate into daily life:
Gratitude Jar: Write one thing you’re thankful for every day and drop it in. Revisit them when you’re having a rough moment.
Recovery Bingo: Make a bingo card of healthy activities—like attending a meeting, calling a sponsor, drinking enough water—and reward yourself when you get BINGO!
Affirmation Cards: Keep a stack of positive affirmations and pick one each morning to set the tone for your day.
Celebrate the Wins; Big and Small!
Don’t wait for huge milestones to celebrate progress. Every clean day, every honest conversation, every time you say “no” to what no longer serves you is a victory.
battles many of us face—and to honor how far we’ve come. Whether you’re planting new seeds or nurturing old ones, you’re growing. Be gentle with yourself. You’re doing the work. You’re in bloom. In the spirit of growth, connection, and self-care, here are a few fun and meaningful events Fellowship RCO has planned this May to help you stay rooted in recovery and bloom where you are.
Building Bridges In Recovery:
Training Peer Leaders For A Stronger Broward
At Fellowship Recovery Community Organization, we believe that knowledge is power—and in recovery, that power is transformational. Over the past month, we’ve been proud to host a series of impactful trainings designed to equip peers with tools, confidence, and credentials to better serve our growing recovery community in Broward County.
Each of these trainings represents more than professional development—they are investments in lived experience leadership, recovery-oriented systems of care, and long-term community wellness.
WRAP (Wellness Recovery Action Plan)
Earlier this month, Fellowship RCO offered WRAP training, a self-designed prevention and wellness process that anyone can use to get well, stay well, and make life the way they want it to be. WRAP helps individuals identify triggers, develop wellness strategies, and create a personalized action plan for recovery and resilience.
For many participants, WRAP is the first step toward owning their recovery narrative and developing a toolkit for lasting wellness—not just for themselves, but for those they walk alongside in the recovery process.
40 Hour Peer Specialist Training – In Progress
Currently underway, our Peer Specialist training is preparing individuals with lived experience to become certified Peer Support Specialists—a vital role in the recovery ecosystem. These specialists provide non-clinical, strengths-based support to individuals navigating substance use or mental health challenges.
This training builds both technical knowledge and relational skills, helping future peers foster hope, build trust, and model recovery. Upon completion, participants will be eligible to apply for Florida certification and begin (or deepen) their service in recovery spaces throughout the county.
Peer Supervision Training – with the Opioid Response Network (ORN)
This month, we also partnered with the Opioid Response Network to provide Peer Supervision Training, a crucial next step in developing strong, ethical, and effective peer support programs. Supervision ensures that peer work remains sustainable, professionally supported, and aligned with best practices. By equipping supervisors with tools to mentor and guide peer staff, we’re helping build a structure that supports the growth and well-being of both peers and the people they serve.
Fellowship RCO’s Role: A Hub for Recovery Leadership
Fellowship RCO continues to serve as a training ground and support network for those who want to give back, grow in their recovery journey, and become change-makers in Broward County. Whether someone is just beginning to explore peer work or is stepping into a leadership role, our doors are open.
Together, we are building a community that heals forward—through education, empowerment, and the belief that recovery is not only possible, but contagious.
For upcoming training opportunities and more information, contact Dean Pasquale at 📞 954-504-2958 or 📧 dean@fellowshiprco.org
Let’s grow the recovery movement together.
The Heart Behind Our Ft. Lauderdale RCC
My name is John Booten. I am 59 years old. I am from Michigan where I was self-employed as a finish carpenter for 30 years. I have two grown children and two grandchildren that all live in Michigan. I came to South Florida for treatment from narcotics 11 years ago after destroying my life and a 22-year marriage. I have been a member of Narcotics Anonymous for those eleven years, although I have fallen a few times. I now have four years without relapse. During this time, I have completed the 12 steps with my sponsor. The steps guide me to build a strong support system and grow spiritually and emotionally.
Through this process, I’ve learned more about myself, developed humility, and found a better way to live—not just free from substances, but with purpose and peace. Relapse can be a challenging part of recovery. Understanding the potential for relapse and having strategies in place can aid in minimizing its occurrence and maintaining long-term well-being. One strategy I put in place was going to college.
Setting goals and going to college is an important journey that has significantly helped me in my recovery and to build self-esteem. I have earned my Associates of Science in Human Services Drug Addiction Services Specialization. Now I am studying for my Bachelor of Applied Science in Supervision and Management. I have the good fortune to work for an amazing company; Fellowship Recovery Community Organization, that supports me, giving me the ideal chance to further my studies.
I am in a place right now where I can concentrate on my work and seek advancement. I truly take my recovery as a day-by-day process because lasting change happens through consistent, manageable effort over time. Focusing on just staying clean today helps reduce the pressure of long-term goals and makes recovery feel more achievable. I love the way my future looks. I turn 60 on June 30th. I am not excited about that, although I am excited about my first cake with strawberries and kiwis on it that everyone else gets on their birthday at Fellowship RCO. I plan on growing and getting better at my job by staying open to learning, taking feedback seriously, and consistently showing up with a strong work ethic. I want to challenge myself, improve my skills, and take on new responsibilities so I can keep moving forward in my career. Progress and change take time, but I’m committed to putting in the effort every day.
Serving Recovery at the FARR-B-Q
Fellowship RCO was proud to join the West Palm Beach recovery community at the 2nd Annual FARR-B-Q, sharing resources, support, and connection. It was a great day of fellowship, food, and strengthening recovery across Florida! 💚🔥 #FellowshipOnTheGo #FARRBQ #RecoveryCommunity
Grounded in Moonlight & Sand
Fellowship RCO gathered under the glow of the May Flower Full Moon for a peaceful evening of grounding in the sand on Pompano Beach. Surrounded by ocean breeze and moonlight, we connected, reflected, and embraced the beauty of recovery in nature. 🌕🌊🌸 #FlowerMoon #GroundingTogether #FellowshipByTheSea
