2026 Naples Recovery Celebration Weekend

Friday, December 4 & Saturday, December 5, 2026
About this Event

A Celebration of Recovery & Connection
Stories shared. Milestones celebrated. Community strengthened.

Join us in Naples for an inspiring weekend centered on recovery, connection, and the strength of community. Whether you're beginning your recovery journey or celebrating many years, there is a place for you here.

Come together for meaningful workshops, practical insight to support everyday recovery, and opportunities to reconnect and reflect. It's a weekend designed to inspire hope, strengthen connections, and remind us of the power of recovery.

Weekend Highlights

Friday:

• Begin the weekend with a Welcome Reception featuring delicious bites from Two Guys Catering and a perfect chance to mingle and reconnect.

Saturday:

• Start the day with a Morning Mindful Meditation!
• Morning Gifts of Recovery workshop with Matt Grywalski and Jari Vasicko
• Lunch with Naples' own Taco Tummy
• Afternoon Emotional Sobriety workshop with Terry Gerlach
• Explore the Japanese art of Kintsugi

Seating is limited—register today and be a part of this inspiring weekend!

Friday night is free, Saturday is $30 per person, includes light breakfast & lunch.

Registration is requested for both days, to help with our catering counts, thank you!

Open to all Alumni, Family and Friends of Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation

Nearby Hotel Accommodations:

If you are coming from out of town, we recommend the Courtyard Marriott Naples or the Hilton Naples. Please note there are no courtesy room blocks available, and we encourage you to book as soon as possible due to other events in the area that weekend.

Guest Speaker Bios:

Terry Gerlach, MA, MCAP, CMHP

Terry Gerlach is a Master Certified Addiction Professional and Certified Mental Health Professional in the State of Florida. She is Supervisor of Clinical Services, responsible for the Intensive Outpatient program in Naples. She joined Hazelden Betty Ford as an intern in 2017 and is a 2019 graduate of our graduate school. She is in recovery and celebrated 17 years of sobriety this past January.

Matt Grywalski, CAP

Matthew Grywalski, CAP, is a Certified Addiction Professional and Substance Use Disorder Counselor with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation in Naples, Florida. He works with individuals and families affected by substance use disorders, helping clients build the skills, insight, and support necessary for long-term recovery. Matthew is passionate about recovery education, relapse prevention, emotional sobriety, and helping individuals discover a life of purpose beyond addiction. Through both individual counseling and group facilitation, he encourages clients to develop resilience, connection, and hope as they navigate their recovery journey.

Mike Sletta

Mike Sletta is the Director of Operations at Hazelden Betty Ford in Naples, Florida. He began his career as an addiction counselor and brings both clinical insight and operational expertise to his leadership role. Mike holds a master's degree in social work from the University of Minnesota Duluth, and throughout his career he has been dedicated to supporting individuals and families affected by substance use and mental health challenges.

Today, he plays a vital role overseeing the daily operations in Naples, helping ensure that Hazelden Betty Ford continues to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to all it serves.

Jari Vasicko

Jari Vasicko is a member of the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation team in Naples, Florida, where he works as a SUD Practitioner serving individuals seeking recovery from substance use disorders. He is most passionate about helping others uncover purpose, strengthen connections, and achieve lasting recovery. Jari enjoys sharing messages of hope, resilience, and transformation, encouraging people to reflect on how recovery can open the door to a richer, more fulfilling life. Through his work, he remains dedicated to supporting individuals and families as they build healthier futures and thrive in recovery.

Friday, December 4

🕑: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Welcome Reception
Host: Two Guys Catering

Info: Kick off the weekend in style! Join us for a relaxed and welcoming reception featuring delicious bites from Two Guys Catering. It’s the perfect chance to mix, mingle, and connect with friends old and new while enjoying a spread of savory favorites and sweet treats.

Saturday, December 5

🕑: 07:30 AM - 09:30 AM
Registration
Host: Two Guys Catering

Info: Kick off the day with coffee, tea, and tasty breakfast bites while you check in. It’s the perfect way to wake up, mingle, and fuel up before the day begins! If you are participating in the Sunrise Recovery Walk, please arrive before 8:00 AM.

🕑: 08:00 AM - 09:00 AM
Breathe, Reflect & Renew: Morning Guided Meditation
Host: Luis B.

Info: Join Luis B. for a heartfelt guided morning meditation experience designed to nurture the mind, body, and spirit. Through gentle breathing and mindful reflection, we’ll open our hearts and senses to connect with our Higher Power and embrace the gifts of recovery. Together, we’ll create space for joy, gratitude, peace, and forgiveness, both for ourselves and others. Come as you are, and leave feeling renewed, uplifted, and connected. PLEASE NOTE: the Morning Guided Mediation is optional, if you prefer not to participate, please join us for welcome remarks at 9:30 AM.

🕑: 09:30 AM - 10:00 AM
Welcome Remarks
Host: Mike Sletta

Info: Join us for an engaging update with Mike Sletta, Director of Operations at the Naples campus, and featuring a look at our campus today and a vision for where we’re headed. We’ll share recent milestones, exciting developments, and a guided overview of the spaces that make our community thrive. Highlights include: updates on alumni initiatives that are strengthening connections, expanding support networks, and shaping the future of our mission. It’s an inspiring chance to see how far we’ve come, and where we’re going, together.

🕑: 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM
The Gifts of Recovery: Reflecting, Connecting & Moving Forward
Host: Matt Grywalski

Info: Join us for an inspiring and meaningful session, led by Matt Grywalski and Jari Vasicko, as we reflect on our recovery journeys, celebrate personal victories, and recognize the lessons learned along the way. Together, we’ll explore the gifts of recovery, the importance of rebuilding connections with ourselves and others, and the powerful impact of becoming a source of hope for someone else. Through reflection and shared experiences, we’ll look ahead with love, purpose, and hope, embracing new opportunities to continue growing and thriving in recovery.

🕑: 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM
Lunch
Host: Taco Tummy

Info: Get ready to spice up your afternoon, Taco Tummy is rolling in! Join us for a fiesta of flavor with tacos piled high, fresh toppings, and all your street-food favorites. Whether you’re a carnivore, veggie lover, or salsa fanatic, there’s something delicious waiting for you. Bring your appetite and your taco-eating skills, lunch is on wheels and it’s going to be muy delicioso! Vegetarian, vegan and gluten free options available.

🕑: 12:30 PM - 01:30 PM
The Heart of Recovery: Building Emotional Sobriety
Host: Terry Gerlach

Info: Recovery from drug or alcohol addiction is about more than abstinence. Emotional sobriety is essential to lasting recovery, fostering inner peace, self-awareness, and emotional balance. It’s not a state of eternal happiness, but learning to navigate life’s challenges and difficult emotions in healthy ways. In this interactive session led by Terry Gerlach, we’ll explore the characteristics of emotional sobriety, identify personal strengths and areas for growth, and reflect on meaningful questions about emotional self-care.

🕑: 01:30 PM - 03:00 PM
The Art of Kintsugi: Creating Beauty From What Was Broken
Host: Carla Fremlin

Info: Join us for an afternoon of creativity, and reflection as we explore the beautiful Japanese art of Kintsugi, the practice of repairing broken pottery with gold to celebrate its imperfections and honor its journey. Together, we’ll create meaningful pieces of art that symbolize healing, resilience, and the beauty of recovery, reminding us that our experiences and challenges are part of what makes us stronger. Led by Carla Fremlin, this special gathering will conclude with a heartfelt medallion ceremony recognizing recovery milestones, followed by a shared moment of reflection with the Serenity Prayer.