Check Out Our National Recovery Month Highlights
Recovery, Community, Impact
September is a special month as we celebrate National Recovery Month, honoring the strength, resilience, and dedication of individuals on their recovery journey. At FRCO, our mission has always been to provide support, hope, and community to those seeking to rebuild their lives, and this month is a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the progress we’ve made together.
I am especially proud to share that my own journey in recovery began right here at FRCO’s Women’s Recovery Residence. As an alumni, I understand firsthand the courage it takes to embrace change and the profound impact a supportive community can have. FRCO’s programs and team members continue to inspire me every day, and I am honored to now lead an organization that helped shape my life and empowers so many others to thrive in recovery.
This September, as we celebrate recovery across South Florida, I encourage you to reflect on your own journey, honor the progress of those around you, and continue to support one another. Together, we are building a stronger, healthier, and more compassionate recovery community.
With gratitude and hope,
Sara Barkley, CEO
When I first came to Fellowship Recovery Community Organization, I was empty and had lost all hope of ever having a good life. The last 15 years of my life had involved drinking and using any drug I could find daily; I didn’t care what it was. In 2018, I decided to take a chance and leave my state of Pennsylvania and come to Florida to give Fellowship RCO’s Recovery Residence a try. I was not confident that this would work; treatment for me in the past had not worked, and I didn’t see how a recovery community would be any different. I was wrong. I found the hope I had lost restored at Fellowship RCO, and I embarked on a journey of rediscovery of who I am as a person without drugs and alcohol.
After I received my first year clean, I began to see that I liked the person I was becoming. I had a good job that I enjoyed, and I was beginning to heal the relationships I had damaged with my family. I became closer to my father and was able to have a connection with him that I never had before. I remained fearful of being successful and didn’t know if I was good enough to do the things I wanted with my life. When I had four years clean, unfortunately, my father passed away, and I was able to be there for him in his last moments, and to do that clean. I had faced my greatest fear and made it through that without using. It is all because of the tools I learned and the steps I’ve been through in my program; without them, I never would have been able to remain clean at that moment.
I decided from that moment I would no longer allow fear to rule my life, and I took a position as a house manager at Fellowship. I have enjoyed doing this job since I first started. The fulfillment I receive from helping others like me is more than I could have imagined. Today, I have been working for Fellowship for two years, and I am coming up on seven years clean. I wouldn’t be where I am today without the community I have come to call home. I see Fellowship as a place where an addict like me can come and have his hope restored. I strongly believe that all people battling addiction deserve to have the life they were meant to have without drugs or alcohol. Today, my life is great, and I have true happiness; life does show up, but I have the tools that I need to deal with it one day at a time.
A Community of Hope: South Florida Celebrates Recovery Together
On September 13th, the South Florida recovery community came together at ArtsPark at Young Circle in downtown Hollywood for an unforgettable celebration of National Recovery Month. The event welcomed hundreds of individuals, families, and advocates to honor resilience, unity, and the many pathways to recovery.
FRCO was proud to take part in the festivities, with our very own Frank Gill performing live on stage; bringing energy, inspiration, and joy to the crowd. Our team also connected with attendees, shared resources, and lifted up the message that recovery is not only possible but thriving in our Broward, West Palm, and Dade.
A huge thank you to South Florida Wellness Network for consistently putting together such a special event filled with connection, great vibes and meaningful moments. It is always an honor to stand alongside South Florida’s local recovery heroes and the individuals, families, and organizations who are doing incredible work in recovery, prevention, and advocacy across the tri-county area. Together, we are proof that recovery changes lives and strengthens communities.
Bringing National Best Practices Home to Strengthen Recovery Housing
This month, our leadership team traveled to Sandusky, Ohio, to take part in the National Alliance for Recovery Residences (NARR) Best Practices Conference. What stood out most was not only the wealth of knowledge shared, but the clear reminder that everything we do in recovery housing comes back to one thing: creating safe, supportive environments where individuals can thrive in recovery.
Throughout the conference, we were reminded that every standard, every new idea, and every policy ultimately impacts the day-to-day lives of participants who call recovery housing home. For example:
- Expanding Access means more people from underserved backgrounds will have the chance to experience safe housing and peer support, no matter their circumstances.
- Workforce Development ensures that the peers and house managers who walk alongside our residents are well-trained, supported, and empowered to serve with compassion.
- Trauma-Informed Care is not just a concept—it’s about making sure each participant is treated with dignity and understanding, recognizing the experiences they carry with them.
- Data & Outcomes give us the ability to tell the real stories of impact and how recovery housing changes lives, rebuilds families, and strengthens communities.
A highlight of the event was watching our CEO, Sara Barkley, represent Fellowship RCO on a panel titled “Wisdom from the Field – Veteran Operators Share Best Practices for Complex Recovery Housing Scenarios.” Her insights reflected not only years of organizational experience, but also the voices of the many individuals and families who inspire our work each day.
The biggest takeaway? Recovery housing is about people, not buildings. It’s about creating a space where someone can take their first deep breath of safety, begin to dream again, and find the courage to rebuild their life.
As we bring these lessons back to Broward County, we remain committed to strengthening recovery housing locally and ensuring that every participant who walks through our doors finds the support, respect, and hope they deserve.
A Step Toward Hope: Walk for Lives 2025 Recap
On Saturday, September 20, 2025, the community gathered at Pompano Beach Community Park for the Walk for Lives, a nationwide event dedicated to raising awareness and providing education on overdose prevention. This event was a collaborative effort led by The Robin Foundation, and South Florida Wellness Network whose steadfast commitment to saving lives and fostering community support was evident throughout the day.
The Walk for Lives aims to significantly reduce fentanyl-related deaths by bringing together communities across the nation to offer life-saving awareness, education, and resources. In Pompano Beach, the event featured a morning walk followed by a resource fair that provided attendees with critical information and support.
FRCO was honored to participate, connecting with attendees, sharing resources, and helping spread the message of hope and recovery. We are grateful to The Robin Foundation for hosting such a meaningful event and for their dedicated leadership in the fight against overdose.
The day was filled with energy, connection, and inspiration. Participants of all ages came together to walk, learn, and support one another, demonstrating the strength and resilience of our community. FRCO is proud to stand alongside local organizations, families, and individuals as we work toward a future where recovery is celebrated and every life is valued
A Step Toward Hope: Walk for Lives 2025 Recap
We are proud to share that Fellowship Recovery Community Organization (FRCO) has been awarded the 2025 Community Impact Award, presented by Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center at the Recovery Is For All: 4th Annual Appreciation Brunch held at the Tower Club in Fort Lauderdale on September 15, 2025.
This award recognizes organizations delivering real, measurable change in people’s lives. FRCO was nominated by Fort Lauderdale Behavioral Health Center and selected from a pool of 20 nominees/finalists following a rigorous review process. Criteria included impact, innovation, equity, collaboration, and sustainability. We are humbled to have been chosen.
Why FRCO Was Chosen:
- Uplifting individuals and strengthening families through peer-led recovery.
- Extending a countywide reach across Broward via recovery programs and peer support.
- Launching boots on the ground Initiatives, linking people, resources, and opportunities to multiply impact.
- Demonstrating measurable results including participant engagement, retention, housing, employment linkages, and reduced crises.
Our Work in Action:
- Recovery Coaching & Navigation: Peer specialists walking alongside participants through treatment, benefits, and community resources.
- Street Outreach: bringing services directly to people where they are.
This honor celebrates the tangible, positive outcomes of partnership on the community. At FRCO, we believe recovery thrives when people are empowered, supported, and connected. This award belongs to every staff member, volunteer, partner, and participant who makes our mission possible.
Together, we will continue to build bridges, restore dignity, and create a ripple of hope across Broward County.
