Sea Change Caps Successful Summer With Funding to Continue Recovery Work

Shared from The SandPaper

By Victoria Ford

The LBI-based Sea Change Recovery Community Organization received a $50,000 grant from the Rx Foundation for its “visionary work of creating an intersection of community-based recovery services and advocacy/organizing for systems change,” RCO founder Elizabeth Beaty has announced. The foundation funds healthcare innovators.

To date, Sea Change has reached over 2,000 individuals and family members.

The grant applies to the remainder of 2022, according to Beaty, and allows the organization to “develop a working model for recovery, advocacy and organizing that does not currently exist.” Another $10,000 came from the New Jersey Resource Project for the RCO’s contribution and partnership in the “Not One More” campaign to end the overdose crisis and expand access to evidence-based treatments and harm reduction in New Jersey.

Sea Change certified peer recovery specialists and volunteers provide unconditional support to anyone who reaches out, through online and in-person support groups, now available five days a week.

Beaty calls Sea Change’s swift growth “ongoing proof of our much-needed services and our compassionate approach.” Community collaborations continue to expand in yoga, reiki and CrossFit as well as with the national sober active community The Phoenix.

This summer’s second annual “100 Waves 4 Recovery” season-long fund drive raised $11,751 to provide free support to anyone struggling with substance use. Donors in the $1,000+ club were Jetty Rock Foundation, Sea Haven Oystery, Walters Group, Causeway CARes and The Tide Table Group. This summer also included “sober happy hour” events in conjunction with the Maximillian Foundation; cultural experiences such as drum circles, mandala painting and crystal bowl healing; and a jam night with Hearts of Mercy.

“We truly love working with our community of friends and neighbors; their expertise and time lends to us being able to make recovery truly accessible,” Beaty said.

Learn firsthand what the organization does and stands for, at two upcoming local events. Saturday, Sept. 17, 8 a.m. to 3 p.m., is the second annual Boomer Blast Surf Contest at the Washington Avenue beach in Holgate. Register at seachangerco.org/fundraisers. On Tuesday, Sept. 20 at 9:30 a.m., enjoy a free “yoga for recovery” session at the Yoga Hive in Manahawkin.

All events and a weekly group schedule can be found at seachangerco.org/calendar.

“We love what we do and feel beyond grateful to be of service,” Beaty said.  —V.F.