Recent News
Pedram Moshfegh, Acting Program Director at Royal Palms recently presented Royal Palms LGBTQ+ Residential Treatment Program to the Transgender Advisory Council of the City of Los Angeles.
The purpose of the presentation was to inform the Trans Community that there are some resources available for them at Royal Palms, and that we do not condone violence nor discrimination to any gender or ethnicity.
We, at Royal Palms, are focusing on how to help and serve a member of the LGBTQ+ community since hate crimes against LGBTQ+ have risen in the past years. According to the FBI, hate crimes are on the rise nationally and that most of the incidents are directed towards the members of the LGBTQ+ community.
At Royal Palms LGBTQ+ Residential Treatment, we welcome and affirm person of every race, ethnicity, gender, religion, marital standing, physical or mental ability, economic status, nationality, race, and sexual identity. We are committed to serving and helping any individuals who seek for help regardless of who they are.
Royal Palms LGBTQ+ Residential Treatment is located in central Los Angeles, an ideal location for adults seeking recovery and a new start in life.
Our mission is to strive to be of maximum service to our residents and our community. We are a nurturing and supportive program focusing on providing the tools and resources needed to embrace second chances and a life of integrity and success.
To celebrate Mexico's Independence Day on September 16, the Rena B staff hosted a Cultural Awareness Celebration highlighting the monumental achievement that Mexico gained when they painstakingly won their freedom from Spanish rule.
Commonly confused with Cinco de Mayo in the U.S., this holiday celebrates the moment when Father Hidalgo called for Mexico's independence from Spain in September 1810. The moment, which became known as the "Grito de Dolores, was the start of the 11-year Mexican War of Independence that resulted in Mexico gaining freedom from Spain after being under colonial rule for over 300 years.
Mexicans around the globe celebrated the anniversary of the country's independence from Spain. The day was commemorated through presentations of a beautiful painting by two residents and historical accounts of Mexican Independence Day delivered by residents and staff. Concluding the event, our housekeeper Elvira Gonzalez, made a wonderfully authentic culinary masterpiece from scratch, Pozole, for the residents, and staff to savor a taste of Mexico.
In remembrance of all those who perished on 9/11/2001, Royal Palms viewed the film FLIGHT 93. The facilitators prefaced the film with reassurance of support if needed. Our residents were reminded of the coping skills they could also employ. All the residents were enthralled and there was an air of dignity in the room. It was mentioned that many of our residents were toddlers and babies when this horrific national tragedy occurred.
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The last 16 months have been a struggle for everyone due to the pandemic. Opportunities to soak up sun rays at one of Southern California’s most picturesque and beautiful beaches were limited. However, recently our residents of the luxurious Rena B were privileged to partake of this leisure-filled, therapeutic, safe, and sober outing. Enjoying the beach while clean and sober meant residents being present to the feel of the sun and salt air, the sound of the waves and music, the smell of the ocean and sand, and the connection with one another and the staff. Now that's a sensory experience that is good for the soul and recovery. Our beach outing was good for the residents and for the Rena B staff (Brandon, Jennifer, James, Nicole, Donnie and David) who worked together to make the trip happen. The teamwork strengthened our connections and the setting allowed us to bond in a new way after working hard for the last 16 months. And it reintroduced many of us to the beach after years of not visiting.
Social Model Recovery Systems was recently awarded a grant to address Stimulant Use Disorder in communities of color who have been negatively impacted by the War on Drugs. A Peer Specialist will be joining our team at Mid Valley Outpatient to improve participant engagement and connections with culturally mindful community resources. We are grateful for this new opportunity and are excited to bring additional recovery support to our participants.
This grant is supported by the MAT Access Points Project, which is funded through the Department of Health Care Services California MAT Expansion Project and is administered by The Center at Sierra Health Foundation.
The MAT Access Points Project is funding a network of organizations throughout California to address the opioid crisis by supporting prevention, education, stigma reduction, treatment and recovery services for people with opioid use disorder and substance use disorder, and by increasing access to Medication Assisted Treatment. $9.93 million was awarded to 55 community-based organizations throughout the state for prevention, education and stigma reduction efforts focused on communities of color and other communities disproportionately impacted by Opioid Use Disorder and criminalization of Substance Use Disorder.
For anyone interested in this Peer Specialist position, please look in our “Employment” tab for more information.
Stepping Stones recently celebrated the opening of its new playground for the kids living with their mothers while in treatment. The playground’s design, equipment, and labor were a generous donation from the Champion Foundation.
The ceremony was hosted by Chaplain Dave Truax who acknowledged Chris and Retha Champion and the Foundation’s Board of Directors. Also in attendance were staff and residents of Stepping Stones, the workers who installed the playground, and SMRS’ Bruce Boardman, Tim Stevens, and Chris Abernathy.
Many thanks to the Champion Foundation for helping us to ensure the safety and happiness of our children with this beautiful playground!
The River Community residents and staff are fortunate to be in the beautiful surroundings of the San Gabriel Mountains. On April 22, 2021, we took the opportunity to show our appreciation by cleaning up large mounds of trash around the property and down the river path. We suited up in safety gear, put on our gloves and grabbed several boxes of trash bags. After about 2 hours of work and conversation about progression and being of service, we sat by the river and enjoyed a nice lunch followed by earth inspired vegan chocolate-mint cupcakes.
