Social Model Recovery Systems (SMRS) is proud to welcome Luis Berumen as the new Program Director of Bimini.
Luis brings more than experience to this role. He brings heart, purpose, and a deep understanding of why this work matters. His path into behavioral health and substance use disorder treatment was shaped by what he saw growing up and the impact substance use had on individuals, families, and communities.
One quote that has stayed with Luis is from Arnold Schwarzenegger: “Experience comes from bad judgment; good judgment comes from experience.” For Luis, those words reflect how life experiences, even the difficult ones, can shape a person’s understanding, compassion, and purpose.
From the crack epidemic to the fentanyl crisis today, Luis has seen how addiction can affect more than one person. It can change the way families talk to each other, creating silence, distance, mistrust, and pain. These experiences helped Luis understand that substance use is often connected to something deeper, including hurt, stress, trauma, unresolved emotions, and struggles people may not always know how to talk about.
Over time, those experiences helped Luis see how much people need support, understanding, and hope when they are trying to rebuild their lives. He became passionate about helping people recognize their worth again and take steps toward lasting recovery. That passion led him to human services and to becoming a Certified Substance Use Disorder Counselor II.
For Luis, recovery is about helping people find their way back to themselves. It is about helping someone believe they are still worthy, still capable, and still able to build a better life. He believes people do not need to be defined by their past, and with the right support, can begin to heal and move forward.
Luis joined SMRS in 2024 and has continued to step up through different counseling and leadership roles. No matter where he has served, his heart for the work has remained the same: helping people feel respected, supported, connected, and hopeful in their recovery journey.
Now, as Program Director of Bimini, Luis helps guide the program’s daily operations while supporting both staff and participants. He wants Bimini to be a place where people feel respected, cared for, and truly supported. Luis understands that recovery does not happen overnight. It takes patience, trust, consistency, and an environment where people feel safe enough to begin again.
Luis also wants staff to feel encouraged and valued as they continue doing this important work. His leadership is grounded in compassion and the belief that people can grow when they are met with understanding, structure, and hope. He believes in meeting people where they are, recognizing their strengths, and walking alongside them as they take steps toward change.
Luis also sees SMRS as a place where this work can continue to grow in a meaningful way. He values the organization’s commitment to compassionate care, strong services, and community impact. For him, being part of SMRS is an opportunity to support individuals and families as they continue their journey toward healing, recovery, and long-term change.
SMRS is grateful to have Luis leading Bimini and continuing this work with dedication, humility, and care.
