- Alcohol
- Drugs
McKayla’s Story – South Florida 6K
I came to the South Florida Heroes 6K because my organization is the charity being sponsored by the event. We are here to support Heroes in Recovery, and you all are here to support us. Our charity’s mission is to build families and change lives. We work with families who are at an economic disadvantage, children who have been abused, abandoned or neglected and families who are in need from being homeless, recovering or suffering from addiction.
We try to support our clients as much as we can and provide a type of “backbone” for support in their lives. I work with the children and I see how not having a stable parent or a parent who has suffered from addiction can affect their schoolwork and other relationships. They internalize a lot of those feelings, which can turn into their own depression and addictions. Addiction not only affects one person but actually affects the entire family and then the community too. That’s what this race is about: community supporting community.
I think the most effective way to ignite change in a family member or parent who is struggling with addiction is to simply offer your support. Let that person know you are there for him or her. You should be the best YOU that you can be and make sure your children are safe. That’s what is most important.