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NANCY SCHEFFER GIVEN SPECIAL
LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

very special, heartfelt lifetime
achievement award was presented
A by the DLC Alumni Association
to Nancy Scheffer, who retired in 2018 as
a Behavioral Health Technician. For most
of her 29-year career with DLC, Scheffer
provided clinical services to adult residents
avid Lawrence Center (DLC), Collier County’s only
in the DLC Crossroads Addiction Recovery
comprehensive, not-for-profit mental health and addiction Nancy Scheffer Treatment program.
treatment facility serving children, adults and families,
During her career, Scheffer touched thousands of families battling
Dhosted more than 300 people at the annual Recovery
addiction and left a lasting impression on all who had the pleasure of
Month Awards Dinner. Guests enjoyed a community resource
feeling her positivity and unconditional love and support.
awareness reception, dinner, a raffle and an awards ceremony that
In addition to her work, she selflessly volunteers to help people
honored outstanding individuals who share their voices to advocate,
in recovery and children affected by addiction in their families. A
educate, mentor and help others with mental health and addiction.
well-deserved honor for a very special hero and recovery advocate.
Every year, DLC joins voices of recovery from across the nation
to observe National Recovery Month to promote the message that
behavioral health is essential to health, prevention works, treatment
is effective, and people recover.
The 2018 theme “Join the Voices for Recovery: Invest in Health,
Home, Purpose, and Community” explores how integrated care, a
strong community, sense of purpose, and leadership contribute to
effective treatments that sustain the recovery of individuals with
mental health and substance use disorders.
Robert Crowe was honored for being an active leader in the
recovery community and proudly sharing his 26-year sobriety
journey with others. He coordinates groups of volunteers who visit
local treatment centers, detox units and jails to spread hope and
encouragement that recovery works. He also sponsors and mentors
individuals through their recovery process.
President and CEO of the NCH Healthcare System, Allen Weiss,
MD, was honored for his work leading the Blue Zones initiative and
helping to make Collier County the healthiest and happiest region
with the longest life expectancy in America. In addition to advocating
for how to prevent illness, Dr. Weiss is a dedicated treatment partner,
working closely with DLC to save the lives of those in crisis.
Captain Beth Jones with the Collier County Sheriff’s Office
Youth Prevention and Delinquency Services Division was honored
for dedicating her 28-year career to helping troubled kids and
teens. She works alongside DLC on a variety of youth-oriented
programs and trainings and is a strong advocate for mental health
interventions in the schools.
Laurie Lyons, a yoga and meditation instructor and co-founder of
Open Mind Zen Naples, was honored as a holistic treatment volunteer
for providing meditation services for individuals in the DLC Crossroads
residential treatment program and in-kind services as prizes to events.
Support from people like these five very special honorees is what
makes life in Naples so great. We come from a strong community that Banyan Tree Planting
cares about its neighbors. If you want to join DLC and #StandUp
In the 80’s, Nancy Scheffer helped plant what is now a physical and spiritual
for mental health and addiction, there are a variety of ways to get
centerpiece of the DLC main campus, an enormous, sprawling banyan tree
involved. Attend an upcoming event, advocate, make a donation,
at the entrance to the Crossroads program. The landmark tree was almost
fundraise for hope, or follow them on social media! Learn more at lost in several hurricanes, but it was nurtured back to health and wellness -
DavidLawrenceCenter.org. an apt metaphor for what Scheffer did for her clients every day.
72 Life in Naples | December 2018