Wellness Success Stories:
Pathways to Recovery
Through a referral from a concerned community member, KRZ staff was connected with a participant who had recently been released from incarceration and was in urgent need of support and resources to begin rebuilding his life. Recognizing the importance of timely intervention, a Certified Recovery Peer Specialist at Kimmie’s Recovery Zone reached out directly to the individual to offer peer support and begin building a meaningful, trust-based connection.
Shortly after initial contact, the participant visited our center on one of our food distribution days. There, he not only received essential food supplies but also had the opportunity to sit down with KRZ staff to discuss his immediate needs and long-term goals. During this conversation, we were able to provide a voucher for a free Florida identification card through the DMV—a vital step in gaining access to services, housing, and employment. We also supported his application for SNAP benefits through the Department of Children and Families, ensuring that his basic nutritional needs could be met in a sustainable way.
As part of our commitment to holistic recovery support, the participant was connected with several local 12-step support groups. He began attending these meetings regularly, establishing a strong foundation for his recovery journey. Since then, he has remained committed to sobriety and continues to engage with our team. He visits the center regularly to receive ongoing peer support, check in with staff, and seek guidance as new challenges arise.
A Peer Specialist from Kimmie’s Recovery Zone had the opportunity to work closely with a peer we first met during an outreach event at City Gate Ministries. This individual had recently been released from incarceration after serving 7 years and was facing significant challenges in his recovery journey. In addition to struggling with substance use and mental health disorders, he was also dealing with a lack of stable housing and employment. His criminal convictions made it even more difficult for him to reintegrate into society.
Without access to transitional living or shelters, and being uninsured, he was unable to find the treatment he needed. For several weeks, Peer Specialists at Kimmie’s provided dedicated support as he battled homelessness, cravings, and financial hardship. He regularly visited our facility for food, water, and peer support, and attended our Social Zone, where he found food, fellowship, and fun in recovery.
After weeks of searching for a solution, we were finally able to connect him with an agent who helped secure insurance coverage. With insurance in place, he was able to access long-term treatment and was admitted to Lakeview Treatment Center in Jacksonville. He is now thriving in his recovery and is on the path to a brighter future. This peer is deeply grateful for the support he received and is determined to continue his journey toward a better life.
At Kimmie’s Recovery Zone, our weekly food pantry is more than a place to receive groceries—it is a gateway to lifesaving education and support. During pantry hours, our team provides information about KRZ’s recovery resources and offers on-the-spot Narcan training in English, Spanish, and, when needed, Haitian Creole. Every individual who participates leaves with Narcan in hand and the knowledge to use it confidently.
Recently, a woman who speaks only Spanish returned to KRZ specifically to thank our team. She shared that, during a previous pantry visit, she had received Narcan training in Spanish and took home the medication we provided. Not long after, she encountered someone experiencing an opioid overdose. Because of the training and Narcan she received from KRZ, she was able to act immediately—administering Narcan and saving that person’s life.
Her gratitude underscored the deep impact of culturally responsive education and accessible harm-reduction services. This moment not only reflects KRZ’s mission in action but also demonstrates the ripple effect of your investment: one training, one conversation, one kit can save a life.
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