Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida Awards $9,300 to SWFAS

FORT MYERS, Fla. - March 20, 2013 - PRLog -- The Zonta Foundation of Southwest Florida has awarded a $9,300 grant to Southwest Florida Addiction Services (SWFAS) to provide educational needs for women recovering from substance abuse at SWFAS’ Transitional Living Center on Grand Avenue in Fort Myers.

The money will be used to purchase a computer, software and educational materials for about 20 women in recovery to enable them to complete coursework and file job applications.

The overall goal is to help women in recovery obtain the skills they need to earn a living wage and become self-sufficient in the workplace.  
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We are so grateful to the women of Zonta who have so graciously supported our women for many years,” said Transitional Living Center Director Rosemary Boisvert.  “Our goal is to remove the barriers that prevent them from being successful.  If they need financial assistance for tuition, we can help with that.  If they need help with supplies or transportation to get to school or training, we can assist with that as well.  

“While at SWFAS’ Transitional Living Center, the women work very hard at learning skills for the job of living in sobriety. This grant will help them build on their newfound skills and give them something more to enhance their chances of maintaining their sobriety and self-sufficiency,” Boisvert said.

“We have been very fortunate to have this long lasting relationship with the Zonta Club of Sanibel-Captiva.  The Zonta Club gives our women far more than dollars.  They also give of themselves,” Boisvert said.

Zonta has been a partner with the women in the SWFAS Transitional Living Center since 2000 and has provided grants totaling $75,000 to support the needs of women recovering from substance abuse.

SWFAS opened the 16-bed women’s halfway house at the SWFAS Transitional Living Center in 2009.  The women’s facility provides treatment for 40 to 50 women per year who have completed the residential treatment program and moved into the halfway house for extended treatment.  

SWFAS is the most comprehensive substance abuse treatment and prevention program in Southwest Florida, serving 6,000 people per year from ages 9 to 90.    SWFAS offers outpatient and residential programs for both adults and youngsters from five locations in Lee County and two in Hendry County.  In addition, SWFAS provides detoxification services for adults, prevention programming, and an Employee Assistance Program for about 50 Southwest Florida businesses.

SWFAS services are not free.  Payment plans are available and, in many cases, private insurance may cover some of the cost of treatment.  Many prevention and treatment services are partially supported by Lee County and state funding to help income-eligible residents.  SWFAS is a United Way agency. SWFAS provides services for all regardless of disability or handicap.  Accommodations will be provided upon request.

For more information, contact Boisvert at (239) 338-2977 or visit www.swfas.org.