Host Jessica Koussevitzky was on hand to celebrate this holiday season at the Chamber’s annual Holiday Social hosted by The Galleria at Fort Lauderdale and Leadership Fort Lauderdale.
Each year the Chamber and The Galleria spread much needed holiday cheer by choosing a non-profit from our community to be the beneficiary of the Holiday Social event.
Deliver the Dream provides three-day, weekend retreats for families who are experiencing serious illness or crisis, such as cancer, autism, cerebral palsy and multiple sclerosis, allowing them to regain strength, mend spirits and just be families and kids again.
Deliver the Dream provides structured, therapeutic, fun activities for families experiencing a serious illness or crisis (space is limited to 15 families) on a three-day, two-night retreat weekend experience. Each retreat is geared towards a specific illness/crisis such as autism, spina bifida, death of a loved one, Down syndrome and cancer. There is no charge for families to attend. Families are normally referred by a network of not-for-profit and healthcare organizations throughout the state of Florida. Families can also be self-referred.
On these retreats, families will participate in structured activities such as assorted recreational indoor and outdoor activities, discussion groups, interactive games, creative workshops, team building exercises, and more! If you have ever been to camp, we do a lot of the same activities (click here for the sample schedule). These activities are designed to have a positive outcome that transforms your coping skills; improves communication between your family; and strengthens the bonds between each family and each family member. This therapeutic retreat will also provide your family with resources and an opportunity to network with other families dealing with a similar situation.
Most of the activities include the entire family, but there are times when your family will be split up into groups based on age and illness/crisis. When there is a “parent only” activity your children will be with our family pals. A family pal is a fantastic Deliver the Dream volunteer who will be your guide for the retreat. All of our volunteers are 18 years and older, screened, trained, and background checked before being allowed to volunteer for our program.
Each retreat is offered at one of our selected venues which are miles away from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city. Each venue is unique but all are located in rustic surroundings where natural beauty creates an atmosphere perfect for a fun-filled and relaxing retreat. Families stay in hotel-like rooms.
Every retreat starts on a Friday at 11:30am and finishes at 1:30pm on Sunday. You must commit to attending the entire weekend and provide your own transportation to the retreat. Deliver the Dream will cover all lodging, activities and group meal expenses. If you are interested in applying please click here to download the application.
Come see how Deliver the Dream helps families heal…one retreat at a time. For More Info DelivertheDream.org
