LIVING WITH GRACE
FOUNDATION
a nonprofit organization
Transform Our World With Grace
Founder's Message
I have always wanted to make a difference in the world, ever since I was a little girl. I must have been about 7 or 8 years old at the time. I remember I called the toll-free number that flashed on our family TV set during the Jerry Lewis Labor Day Weekend Telethon to raise funds for muscular dystrophy. It was easy. The lady behind the voice on the other end of the phone line asked for my name, address, and the amount I wanted to donate. And just like that, I saved a child with muscular dystrophy. I have a feeling that I owe thanks to my parents for fronting the bill.
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I'd like to believe that we all want to save the world in some way, shape or form; to leave it just a little better than it was yesterday. What gives me hope today is knowing that deep down inside each of us is a heart with a story to tell. And when those hearts connect with others in their doing and being--in love rather than fear, in kindness instead of obligation-- well then, the evidence would be sure to reveal much contentment and grace.
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Even when we think it's all about us, it's really about the well-being of our family--our community. When we continue to close our eyes to the not-so-palatable issues and areas of our city, our home--namely, mental health challenges and/or substance use disorder --we are saying, without words, that we are not worthy of a better place; that our citizens who need our help the most are not worthy of our love and support. Let us not forget that we are only as strong as the weakest link.
Grace De La Rosa, President & Founder
Living with Grace Foundation, Inc.
MISSION
Living with Grace Foundation, Inc.'s ("the Foundation") mission is to assist military veterans, first responders and adult survivors of childhood trauma, domestic violence and cancer with mental health challenges, substance use disorder (SUD), alcoholism, opioid and other addictions through advocacy, non-clinical recovery transition care, resource connections, and recovery peer education and training.
Our Recovery and Wellness Center™ (RAW Center™) is a one-stop shop for integrative and alternative healing modalities specific to stress, anxiety, worry, chronic pain, insomnia and PTSD. We provide evidence-based modalities of non-clinical education and training through nonviolent communications and heart-centered programs. Examples include art, music and animal therapies and other alternative wellcare options; NVC (nonviolent communication); retreats; seminars; and workshops.
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RAW is also headquarters to our advocacy efforts. We aim to provide a platform for open conversations and to create and modify policies and procedures for improved and timely healthcare, social services and justice for people recovering from mental health challenges and SUD.
Finally, RAW is also the education and training center for our in-house peers of Core-Trained™ Advocates (CTA)™ and Core-Certified™ Recovery Peer Specialists (CC-RPS)™ also known as Mindful Recovery Advocates (MRA)™ and Mindful Recovery Coaches (MRC)™. Our training programs give peers multiple career options in the field of recovery to include the development of our CC-RPS™, the State of Florida's Certified Recovery Peer Specialists (CRPS) and Forensic Peer Specialists (FPS), as well as NeuroPeers and NeuroCoaches in partnership with The NeuroGenesis Project.
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VISION
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Our vision is to create a system of care by helping others help others in the development of healthy communities, one individual at a time. We wish to inspire a paradigm shift in community leadership; to support multiple pathways of recovery through holistic wellness and mindful living; to celebrate diversity while communing in unity through our CommUNITY; and to assist in the development of autonomous, healthy individuals. In this way, we help decrease the recidivism rates in corrections, the legal system, homeless and domestic violence shelters as well as treatment and recovery centers.
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We wish to build a Vietnam Veterans Museum to be located in our beautiful city of Jacksonville, FL; home to well over 125,000 military veterans alone.
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VALUES
We meet people where they're at on their pathway to recovery without judgment.
Military Veterans
Active Duty and Veterans
First Responders
EMTs, Firefighters, Police Officers, Nurses, and Recovery Peer Specialists (RPS)
Adult Survivors
Childhood Trauma, Domestic Abuse, Cancer