
Fellowship RCO Wins Best Float! For the City of Margate’s 4th of July Parade!
Fellowship RCO is honored to be recognized by the City of Margate with the Best Overall Float award in the 4th of July Parade for nonprofits! Our float celebrated freedom, community, and the power of recovery—brought to life by the creativity and spirit of our team and participants. Thank you to everyone who helped make this moment possible!

Nicotine Addiction Group
Join us every Monday at 6:30 PM for our Nicotine Addiction Support Group at 451 Banks Rd #8, Margate, FL 33063. Free nicotine gum, lozenges, and support are available to help you on your quit journey.
SMART Recovery Life Skills
Join us Thursdays at 6 PM for SMART Recovery Life Skills at the RCC Central Office, 101 SW 27th Ave Suite 3, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312. Learn evidence-based tools to manage addictive behaviors and build a balanced, self-empowered life.
Free Narcan Distribution
Free Narcan is available at both Fellowship RCO Recovery Centers—because you never know when it might save a life. Whether you’re heading to a concert, party, or just out with friends, carrying Narcan means being ready to respond in an emergency.
Making Recovery Count – June Impact Snapshot
Supporting Growth and Healing Through Measurable Change


My Role and my Journey...
As the RCC Program Director at Fellowship Recovery Community Organization, I have the privilege and responsibility of developing impactful programs, community events, and creative recovery initiatives—not just for our participants, but for the wider community. My work involves everything from project management and social media to marketing and community engagement. I’m also deeply involved in fundraising efforts and work closely with our CEO to identify and write grants that expand our services through our Recovery Center, Respite, and Housing programs.
I’m a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist for both Adults and Families, and I use this training to help participants meet the goals they’ve outlined in their individualized wellness plans. Of all the programs I support, the one closest to my heart is our Back 2 School Program. It started in 2021, when I began assisting participants through the daunting process of registering for GED programs, technical training, and college courses. From my own experience, I knew how overwhelming that process could be. So, I walk alongside our participants until they’re fully linked with their school advisors—and I continue to support them beyond that. Helping someone return to education not only increases their employment opportunities, it sparks self-worth and long-term recovery by connecting them to a deeper purpose. I’ve seen how this work restores hope and rebuilds self-esteem, and it brings me so much joy to witness people rediscover the endless possibilities in their lives.
My passion for this work is deeply personal. I’m a woman in recovery from substance use disorder and co-occurring mental health conditions. I am also a wife, a sister, and a friend to many others who face similar challenges. My journey began in 2019, when I first used drugs to cope with the pain of an abusive relationship. My life quickly spiraled, and by February 2020, after a short stay at the Respite, I found myself at Fellowship RCO’s Women’s Recovery Residence.
At the time, I didn’t think I had a substance use problem—I thought I just had a problem with men. But something in me knew I needed change. When I arrived at Fellowship, I was told I had to work a 12-step program, get a sponsor, and do the work. I agreed—because I’ve always been curious, and I figured I’d learn something new about myself. By the time I had five months clean, two pivotal things happened: I started working as an assistant to Rick Riccardi, Fellowship’s founder and CEO, and my stepbrother—whom I hadn’t really seen since I was a child—reached out for help. He entered the Men’s House later that year, and together, we began healing generational trauma and rebuilding our family from the inside out.
From there, my journey with Fellowship expanded. Under the mentorship of Rick, Sara Barkley (our former COO/current CEO), and Luis Somoza, I gained skills in communications, graphic design, web development, and event planning. I became Director of Communications, Projects, and Events, and my responsibilities grew to include Back 2 School, outreach, branding, and creative program design. I had spent 20 years working in retail—never imagining that a life in service, healing, and creativity would become my path. But God had a plan, and Fellowship RCO was part of it.
My recovery has also created a ripple effect on my family. My brother now thrives in recovery, and his wife joined the Women’s House after seeing his transformation and is about to celebrate three years clean. Together, we built a home for their children and have found healing and purpose as a family. Today, we all serve on the Fellowship RCO team in one way or another. We’re living proof of what’s possible when a recovery community shows up for people with love, structure, and vision.
My husband, whom I met through Fellowship as a co-worker and friend, is now my life partner. We’ve been married for a year and a half, and we share our home with our sweet dog Duck and cat Dexter. When I’m not working, you’ll find me gardening, solving puzzles, swimming, creating art, or volunteering at The Lucky Horse Sanctuary.
Currently, I’m training to become a SMART Recovery Facilitator so we can offer more recovery pathways to those who need alternatives. I’ve developed partnerships with organizations like Nova Southeastern University (for our Recovery Book Club) and Goodman Jewish Family Services Rak-Pak (to provide clothing support). These collaborations help us meet participants where they are and give them tangible tools to move forward. I’ve learned that when one person expresses a need, they may be speaking on behalf of many—and that inspires me to continue building new bridges and programs.
Fellowship RCO has empowered me to flex creative muscles I didn’t even know I had. I’m so grateful for the trust, freedom, and opportunity to shape programs that bring recovery to life in bold and beautiful ways. Because of the tools I’ve gained, I’ve even started my own business—Shellican Media—where I support other nonprofits with grant writing, web development, and fundraising. I’m just getting started, but I’m excited to see where this new venture leads.
If I could say one thing to someone who’s struggling in their recovery or feeling stuck, it would be this: keep showing up for yourself. Do the inner work. Get involved, even when it’s uncomfortable. You are worthy of the promises that recovery offers—no matter where you’re starting from. You’re not broken—you’re becoming.
FRCO + City of Fort Lauderdale Driving Real Change
Strength in Partnership

Fellowship Recovery Community Organization (FRCO) is proud to celebrate a powerful and ongoing partnership with the City of Fort Lauderdale, working together to offer transformative support to individuals experiencing substance use disorders and housing instability. Through this collaboration, our Recovery Program has provided more than just shelter—it has restored hope, built resilience, and opened the door to long-term healing
Outcomes That Matter
Since launching this partnership, 78 individuals were referred into the program, and an impressive 80.7% (63 individuals) were admitted—highlighting both the need and the community’s readiness for change.
As of June 30th, 2025:
- 22 people (34.9%) are currently living in FRCO’s Recovery Housing or Respite
- An additional 7 individuals were supported in securing alternative safe housing, including reunification with family, independent living, or placement in partner programs like Homes United and The Caring Place
- In total, 46.1% of participants have found stable housing as a direct result of this program
Recovery is Not Linear—It’s Lifelong
Recovery is a journey, not a straight line. Twelve individuals experienced a reoccurrence and temporary setbacks, but each made the courageous decision to re-engage. Their return speaks volumes: the seeds of recovery had been planted, and the support was strong enough to welcome them back without shame or judgment.
Building Recovery Capital
Participants in the program experienced an average 40% increase in Recovery Capital—a measure of the internal and external resources needed to sustain recovery—within the first 30 days. This tells us that with the right support, people don’t just stabilize—they thrive.
Access to the Right Level of Care
Recognizing when more intensive support is needed is essential. Through this collaboration:
- 6 individuals were referred to residential treatment
- 3 individuals were referred to Henderson CRC for crisis services
This thoughtful coordination ensures that each person receives care tailored to their current needs.
This work is only possible because of the City of Fort Lauderdale’s commitment to innovative, human-centered recovery solutions. Together, we are proving that when people are offered support without judgment—and when community agencies work in partnership—transformation becomes possible.