Vachel's Giving Tuesday Fundraiser benefiting FTR

Dear friends,

This Giving Tuesday, I'm fundraising on behalf of Fit To Recover, a local nonprofit community center and gym in Salt Lake City for people in recovery from substance use disorder. They use an award-winning "4 Pillars" approach that blends exercise, nutrition, creative arts and community service as ways to help individuals maintain long-term recovery.

I found Fit To Recover in 2015 through my good friend, Annie, who invited me to come work out with her and her trainer. While I loved the workout, it was the community connection and mission I immediately fell in love with. While I'm not in recovery from substance use disorder, I am in recovery from past trauma which is what most addicts suffer from as well. I started working for this organization in 2019 as their grant writer and am now their Development Director. I love working for a place that does not stigmatize or label anyone; that does not treat anyone differently because of their past. This place provides hope. This place provides opportunities. This place provides purpose for those who felt they served no purpose in life. I am asking you to help me, help support this organization. 

Your generous gift will go a long way in 2022. Fit To Recover has some big goals which include expanding their services. Your contributions will help Fit To Recover purchase new gym equipment for their new Utah County opening in early 2022. It will help their Food to Recover expand and provide additional meals for low-income individuals and those in early recovery and most vulnerable to relapse. It will help Fit To Recover buy equipment and instruments for their Creative Arts program, which allows individuals to creatively express themselves and their recovery journeys. It will help Fit To Recover provide scholarships to low-income members or those just leaving treatment and entering the community who are unable to pay the $40/month membership fee. Lastly, your contributions will help Fit To Recover expand internationally! Two gym owners from Namibia are excited to participate in Fit To Recover's Certification Program, which teaches others about Fit To Recover's trauma-informed curriculum. The goal of the Certification Program is to expand post-treatment care for individuals in recovery which is a crucial piece of healthcare that is neglected. Fit To Recover would like to pay to bring these two individuals from Namibia to Salt Lake City so they can attend the next certification workshop happening in February. 

As you can see, Fit To Recover has a lot they want to accomplish in 2022. Your contributions will help their mission of helping as many individuals in recovery as possible; at the local, national and international scale. Thank you so much for supporting me and donating to Fit to Recover this Giving Tuesday.