Published On: Sun, Mar 31st, 2019

Pain from the Parkland Shooting Continues to Ripple Through Community

By: Robert S Weinroth

Parkland, Coral Springs and surrounding community residents continue to grapple with the deaths of 17 people murdered at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on February 14, 2018. Three recent suicides (two apparent suicides by student survivors of the tragedy in Parkland and a third in Newtown Connecticut, where, Jeremy Richman, who wanted the world to stop stigmatizing mental health, and treat the brain like any other organ that can be healed, took his own life), have made it clear the pain continues to radiate for survivors.

“The first year a lot of people are numb and they’re functioning, but they haven’t quite realized the extent of the damage and the harm, which I wanted to share with everybody is so normal,” said Julie Gordon, director of Eagles’ Haven. “It would be very hard not to have experienced this and have it change you and to need help and support.”

A community wellness center called Eagles’ Haven opened up a month earlier than scheduled at 5655 Coral Ridge Dr Coral Springs FL 33076.

Eagles’s Haven is a community wellness center solely and mindfully designed for the MSD/Eagles community – giving current, future and former students and faculty a responsive and nurturing place to call or drop in for any supportive services or wellness needs.

While Eagles’ Haven is not a therapy center, staff will connect people with services or just offer a comfortable, welcoming place for the community to come together.

According to Gordon, the goal of Eagles’ Haven is to help the community “work together.”

Nature’s Plants, based in Parkland, donated plants to add comfort to the healing spaces within Eagles’ Haven. According to its owner, David Katz, “Plants are a great sense of calmness, welcoming. It gives off a warm vibe.”

Eagles’ Haven is open from 9AM to 7PM, Monday through Friday and 10AM to 4PM on Saturdays and Sundays.

Volunteers and Providers are invited to attend an Informational Meeting on Tuesday April 9th at 6:30PM at the Parkland Recreational Enrichment Center located at 10559 Trails End , Parkland FL 33076 to learn more about this new community resource.

What you can expect from Eagles’ Haven:

INFORMATION and EDUCATION

  • Parent Guidance Sessions
  • Support Groups for Students, Parents, Siblings, Grandparents, Extended Family and Teachers
  • Wellness and Resiliency
  • Workshops
  • Community and School Outreach

WELLNESS EXPERIENCES

  • Pet Experiences
  • Kickboxing
  • Boot Camp
  • Power Yoga
  • Cooking & Healthy Eating
  • Tai Chi
  • Healing Yoga
  • Meditation and Mindfulness
  • Creative Arts
  • Open Mic Music and Poetry
  • Drumming Circles and Dance
  • Aromatherapy
  • Game Night
  • Acupuncture
  • Improv and Drama

Eagles’ Haven is not a therapy center. It is a place for the community to come together to rediscover wellness and restore hope. Come and join the people at Eagles’ Haven for a cup of coffee.

Private family consultations are now available.

To attend the Informational Meeting, please contact them at 954.618.0350 or EaglesHaven@jafco.org

According to Sarah Franco, Executive Director of Jewish Adoption & Foster Care Options in Sunrise, Eagles’ Haven Wellness Center is lovingly powered by JAFCO and is made possible with the generous funding of United Way of Broward County and the Children’s Services Council of Broward County. 

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