Connecting to a Brighter Future

by Jeannine Gage 

The word connections in Recovery Connections of Central Florida has a dual meaning.

The 501(c)(3) nonprofit, which is known as a Recovery Community Organization, helps individuals and families connect to much-needed resources to battle substance use disorder. And, the organization also connects those seeking recovery with its Certified Recovery Peer Specialists  – who are recovering addicts, themselves. 

“Recovery is a difficult thing to navigate alone,” says George Margoles, president and CEO of Recovery Connections. “We are here to help make it less so.”

The organization has two Recovery Community Centers, one in Orlando and a recently opened drop-in location in Longwood. At the centers, addicts can meet with the peer specialists, who assess their needs and guide them to the critical support and resources needed for long-term, sustainable recovery.

Lean on Me

A big supporter of Recovery Connections is Matt Morgan, the City of Longwood’s deputy mayor.

“In an addict’s mind, any little difficulty can be an excuse to use again,” says Matt, who spoke at the Longwood center’s grand opening. “So, when they’re trying to find a treatment center or detox and cannot, having someone to help is huge. It can be the difference between success or failure.”

Matt speaks from personal experience. As a former WWE wrestler, he incurred many injuries and a subsequent opioid addiction. For five years, he was never without a painkiller. On tour in Europe, Matt finally realized he’d had enough and called his wife.

“I told her I wanted to go from the plane directly to detox,” he says. “She spent hours on Google trying to find a place.”

She eventually did, and Matt says he was lucky to have his wife to help because he probably wouldn’t have been able to get into recovery alone. Realizing that many addicts don’t have loved ones to lean on, Matt became instrumental in helping to bring the Recovery Connections center to Longwood.

“What they do is so important,” says Matt. “They can have such a positive impact on a community.”

Seminole County Sheriff Dennis Lemma, who also spoke at the center’s grand opening, agrees.

“It’s so important to have additional resources for those in recovery,” says Sheriff Lemma. “We can’t arrest ourselves out of this problem; we need to provide support.”

Walking the Walk 

Drug overdoses have declined 30 percent in Seminole County in the past year alone, according to Sheriff Lemma, and he attributes that drop to many factors – one being support centers such as               Recovery Connections.

“It’s not a situation of making bad people good, but rather sick people well,” he says. “And everyone deserves an opportunity to be lifted up and guided down a path with navigators who have walked the walk and who live that example of moving forward.”

Recovery Connections is funded through the Florida Department of Children and Families, Seminole County, and private grants. The organization has helped nearly 3,000 Central Florida residents since opening in 2022 and serves Seminole, Orange, Brevard, and Osceola counties. 

George, a recovering addict, himself (as is half of the nonprofit’s board of directors), says there are so many challenges to recovery that addicts inevitably need assistance during their journey.

“There are so many aspects of life – transportation, housing, food, jobs – that we may take for granted,” says George, “but people who have been actively using may not have any of that.”

A Safe Space

What’s especially valuable to someone seeking help are the knowledge and community relationships that the staff at Recovery Connections have.

“Once we assess someone and their needs, we will know which treatment center is best to meet those needs, or where they could go for job training,” says George. “This is a safe space for them to come and ask for help. We make things happen.”

Most people find Recovery Connections through word of mouth or referral from social assistance or criminal justice entities. Anyone who is in recovery can receive help. Seminole County residents have extra benefits such as  free Uber rides to and from the Longwood center thanks to a grant from Seminole County. Group meetings are held there, and the center also serves as a welcoming place where recovering addicts can come and hang out. 

“We want to be here for every step of their recovery,” says George. “We want addicts to feel welcome and understood.”

Sheriff Lemma says he believes the presence of Recovery Connections will lead to an even bigger drop in drug overdoses in the area.

“I think people will be more likely to reach out for help from those who have been through it,” he says.  “A lot of services that lean toward the appearance of government services are intimidating for some people. Recovery Connections can provide a level of confidentiality and comfort. It warms my heart knowing that people who come through the doors will be helped.” 

To learn more, visit MyRecoveryConnections.org. 

If you or someone you know needs assistance, call the helpline at 407-732-6837.