Antoinita (Annie) Ifill, Project Director for Healthier Glades, and a team of community leaders organized the first-ever resident-led Get Your Green On in the western communities. By engaging people who live and work in the Glades and conducting resident surveys, Annie and her team from BRIDGES, the Federation of Families and PBC Youth Services created activities for the community to heal while recognizing the qualities that make the Glades a special place, including:

·        “Soil to Soul,” a program connecting nature with nurturing for youth who plant seeds in self-decorated pots and talk monthly about their growing experiences.  

·        Movie night featuring Disney’s Soul, the first Pixar film to feature an African American protagonist.

·        A four-part mental health learning series on Facebook Live with topics chosen by the community covering stress and anxiety, grief and loss, trauma and depression.

·        Mental Health First Aid trainings for youth and adults.

·        An online screening of the documentary The Mask You Live In with a panel discussion to follow. (See more about this event and register below!)

“Being part of the GYGO countywide committee helped us create our own events close to home that were driven by the ideas and needs of Glades residents,” said Annie.

Annie’s Mental Health Tips for Right Now

1.      Have patience. Others may not be in the same place as you for returning to “normalcy.”

2.      Go slow. Take your time reconnecting with people in small groups, safely.  

3.      Count your blessings. Recognize COVID’s losses but appreciate life’s good things to heal.