The event promised a powerful experience, and the women of Serenity Place delivered.
On April 28, eight graduates, dating back to the early 2000s, shared deeply personal accounts of recovery that spotlighted both their resilience and the incredible impact of The Phoenix Center, Greenville County’s local provider of substance use disorder services.
Formerly known as The Transformation Breakfast, the annual event took a year to plan and execute — and it featured a record number of testimonials.
Emcee Belinda Speaks, a graduate and former employee who’s now a certified Peer Support Specialist and Addictions Counselor, set the tone.
“She’s the ‘matriarch of our program,’” said Community Engagement and Fundraising Liaison Sophie Finnell. “She shaped the stories of so many that came after her.”
The luncheon took place at The 405, and every detail — from the new lotus flower logo, symbolizing rebirth, to the food — exemplified the local nonprofit’s mission and reach.
Serenity Place graduates TK Moore, Gretchen Williams, Deana Zaehler and Audrey Lee were among the speakers at the recent Transformation Celebration.Catering was provided by Jasmine Kitchen, an extension of Jasmine Road, which offers similar services for local women.
There were 330 attendees, most importantly, the speakers’ families.
“Some of the people who had poured so much into them were hearing things they’d never heard,” Finnell said.
“One graduate experienced a recurrence in their use following treatment and questioned whether to include that. Ultimately, they all were honest and raw but incredibly calm and poised.”
Standing before the crowd as family anchors, working professionals and community builders, the graduates spoke of lives rebuilt with purpose, stability and strength and inspired everyone who came for the celebration.
