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Cost stops a lot of people from asking about treatment, and so does not knowing where to start. A free event in Cape Coral, Florida, last weekend was designed to remove both barriers in one afternoon.
The ARCHway Institute’s second annual Connection in the Park took place on November 7 at Cultural Park. The event brought free recovery resources, peer support, and family activities together in one place.
“We formulated this community event really to kind of bring together community partners so we could share resources and have a place for anybody who might be struggling, or maybe it’s a family member who has somebody that’s struggling and they don’t really know who to turn to or where to go,” said Marybeth Hill, ARCHway Institute event coordinator.
What Attendees Found at Cultural Park on Saturday
The free event was open to the public, and children were welcome, with games and face painting on the schedule.
Licensed professional counselor Annette Franks, who brings more than three decades of experience in addiction recovery education, mindfulness, and holistic health, delivered the keynote.
Two-time Emmy-winning keyboardist Dave Powers performed live, and local Southwest Florida food trucks were also on site.
Event organizers described the particular power of Franks’ keynote speech: “She’s coming to share part of her story and why it is important that we recover out loud and why it is important that we work together as a community to help a community heal,” Hill said.
An Afternoon of Free Recovery Resources in Cape Coral
Roughly 20 vendors staffed the community resource and vendor fair, spanning recovery housing organizations, treatment providers, nonprofits, recovery navigators, civic groups, and the Army National Guard.
Families had the opportunity talk directly with providers and learn about the many resources the community offers year-round.
“Recovery is not a one-size-fits-all thing,” Hill said. “So we wanted to bring a different mix for different people. Just because what works for you may not work for me. And so it’s important that we have lots of options of people there for resources provided.”
Breaking the Stigma That Stops the First Step
Hill is direct about what the annual event is really up against. “A lot of times, that is what stops somebody from taking that first step, because they feel like they’re going to have some stigma behind it or the formalities of like having to walk into this brick-and-mortar place and explain what’s going on,” she said.
“Events like these bring the community there and show support. There will be also family members who have also gone through similar situations with their family members to share that, ‘Hey, you’re not alone. We’ve been through the same thing.'”
She also wants attendees to see a side of recovery that rarely makes the brochure. “We can sit back and relax, listen to great music, and also figure out how to help the next person,” she said.
A Nonprofit That Raises Money to Give It Away
Even if you missed the recovery fair, you can still benefit from the resources showcased there. The ARCHway Institute is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit focused on increasing access to substance use and mental health recovery care.
Through financial assistance grants, peer mentorship programs, educational initiatives, and community events, it works nationwide to remove barriers to treatment.
Each year, through private donations, ARCHway releases $100,000 in small grants to recovery community organizations and recovery housing.
Hill said the nonprofit raises money specifically so it can give the money away, and the grants have helped countless people. For families priced out of care, that funding can be the difference between a waitlist and a bed.
Finding Free and Low-Cost Treatment in Florida
If you cannot make it to Cape Coral, free help is still within reach. SAMHSA’s National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 is free, confidential, and available around the clock.
Florida Medicaid covers addiction treatment for eligible residents, and many nonprofit and faith-based programs offer sliding-scale or scholarship beds.
Rehabs.org lists free and low-cost rehabs in Cape Coral, Florida, and across the state, so you can compare options before you commit to anything. Learn more about your treatment options by calling
800-914-7089
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