Saving lives is never easy. When Seagulls Flight Foundation, Inc. started in 1998, it was a humble effort of advocates who dedicated their lives to the possibility of recovering from addiction. Rekindling a good life is a line marked in the horizon.
Seagulls Flight Foundation, Inc. was inspired by the story of Jonathan Livingston Seagull by Richard Bach, a seagull who became an outcast for wanting to fulfill the “impossible dream”—to fly. Just like Jonathan, Seagulls Flight continues to live its dream—to mend broken wings, rebuild family ties, and put back the pieces of people who have once or twice lost their way.
Seagull Flight Foundation Inc. founders Eddie and Chit Castillo
Seagulls was born in a house in Guinhawa South, Tagaytay City. A residential treatment and rehabilitation center for people with substance use disorders. It was founded by, a recovering person, an international certified recovery coach among many hats, and co-founded by his better half, Chit Cambe-Castillo, a corporate executive and a psychologist. The humble beginnings meant a modest house, limited resources and a tight budget. It was a long journey of triumphs and adversities. Little by little, day by day, year after year, the modest house slowly turned into a home of recovery and healing—moreover, as most families would say, a school of life.
As years went by, the goal stayed the same, but methods and approaches changed radically. Seagulls Flight embraced contemporary advancement in addiction treatment. The flock enhanced and modified the therapeutic community and merged it with evidenced-based treatment approaches, ensuring that the individual needs of the people were addressed and at the same time keeping the therapeutic values of community as a method.
While people have come and gone, the treatment approach transformed. How fitting it is to witness lives recover the same time Seagulls Flight’s humble efforts evolved. The flock experienced several challenges through the twenty years. Even though armed with the heart to uphold recovery, Seagulls Flight ventured a rocky path. Others might describe the journey as an uphill battle. Wounds were suffered. Tears were shed. The people nevertheless persevered. Seagulls remained true to its mission. The flock gradually spread its wings and gathered valuable lessons in flight. And these lessons strengthened the resolve to recover lives from addiction.
Helping save lives is never easy and to do it for 20 years is nothing short of a triumph. This is a mission fueled by hope and faith in the goodness of the individual. Driving this task is a vision of better lives and continuous recovery. Behind everything are the hearts of everyone who made the last 20 years possible.
On Friday, the Seagulls family gathered for a double celebration of their milestone anniversary and 20th commencement exercises at the Taal Vista Hotel. The event highlighted the milestones, leaps and triumphs of the foundation with entertainment numbers, messages of hope, stories of recovery and fellowship.
The momentous event had as its guest of honor Brandon Hudspeth, Director of the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs of the US Embassy in Manila. (See sidebar).
Now as the next chapter of saving lives unfolds for Seagulls Flight Foundation, Inc. their wings are ready to fly for another two decades and beyond.
For inquiries call (02) 809-4847 or (0933) 474-7714, or email talktoseagulls@gmail.com and sffialabang@gmail.com. More information on the foundation is available at www.seagullsvillage.org and www.facebook.com/seagullsflightrehab.
The post SEAGULLS AT 20 appeared first on The Manila Times Online.