Tampa, FL (April 28, 2022) – The Phoenix, a national non-profit building sober active communities to help people recover from substance use, announced today that they have formed their first-ever local impact board to support those seeking recovery in Tampa Bay. The first initiative undertaken by the board is our Fit To Be King friendraising/fundraising gala to honor the legacy of the board’s founding Chairperson, Guy King III, at Armature Works on April 28 at 6 p.m.
“After seeing a family member struggle with alcoholism for years, we saw the importance of twelve-step programs in recovery. We also saw the opportunity to add to the recovery toolbox by bringing The Phoenix to Tampa to support sober active recovery, providing free fitness activities and new friendships with others on the same recovery path,” said Troy and Elizabeth Fowler of the Triad Foundation. “We’ve learned that addiction is a lifetime disease that you have to attend to daily, but it is something you can rise from, recover from, and live with while experiencing the joyful parts of life. Those in recovery from addiction emerge stronger and are incredibly successful, grateful, and giving individuals.”
The founding Impact Board includes local business and community leaders, all either in long-term recovery from substance use or with deep connections to the recovery community. The group includes board chair Evan Brownstein, and board members Troy & Elizabeth Fowler, Ben Heldfond, Owen Chastain, Nikki DeBartolo, Jim Gillen, Katie Glaser, Jeff Hausinger, Cindy Holloway, Meghan Iacofano, Scott Kilbourne, Tyler Lasher, Sandy Murman, Brooke Palmer Kuhl, Will Sezna, Elizabeth Stockton, Alex Sullivan, and Taylor Wallace.
In Tampa Bay, The Phoenix is already hosting free, daily events such as Crossfit, indoor climbing, yoga, meditation, and other activities for those seeking recovery. The only requirement for attendance is 48 hours of continuous sobriety. They’re also beginning to support programming at local treatment facilities. Nationally, The Phoenix has served over 77,669 people in 108 counties across 36 states. 86% of members report remaining sober after participating in their programs.
Funds raised from the Fit To Be King event will support hiring additional staff and expanded programming. As the first local impact board for The Phoenix, the work done in Tampa Bay will serve as a template for helping other communities to expand the presence of The Phoenix and fight the scourge of addiction across America. According to the Tampa Bay Partnership, nearly three people die every day in Tampa Bay from an opioid overdose, and there is an opioid overdose rate here 50.5% higher than the national average. Together, we can change those statistics and help those struggling to rise,