Amanda Moore is the new Client Activities Coordinator for Midwest Recovery Center. Amanda grew up in Palm Springs National Park in Arkansas. From an early age, she developed a love for the great outdoors and became aware of its great personal healing powers.
“Growing up, I was a minute and a half from a trail,” she said. “We didn’t have a whole lot of money, so we were out in nature: hiked, camped, bird-watched.”
Throughout her adult life, Amanda has held many different jobs, including working in Labor and Delivery at a hospital, as a sales representative for LensCrafters, and as a manager for REI. In her position with Midwest Recovery Center, Amanda feels she will be able to combine the best parts of each of these jobs: helping others, while enjoying nature.
“I’m passionate about anything outdoors,” she said. “Being outside is beneficial for mental health, so I’m trying to implement that with our clients. It’s a natural stress reliever. It encourages mindfulness, along with social and coping skills.”
Having made the move from Florida to Ohio, Amanda recognizes that Toledo is an ideal location for outdoor recreational activities.
“Toledo has many metro parks,” she said. “Anyone in Toledo is within five minutes of a metro park.”
Amanda’s program is still in its early developmental stages. However, in addition to hiking, she hopes to arrange an array of activities for Midwest clients, including kickball, cooking classes, apple orchard visits, and local outdoor programming collaborations.
Along the way, many people with a Substance Use Disorder have lost important coping skills, turning to drugs and alcohol to deal with traumas and stressors. Amanda feels fortunate that from an early age, she was able to use nature and self-care skills.
“I don’t want to take things for granted,” she said. “Growing up and learning how to cook, hike, fish, and camp were all-natural ways for me to develop coping skills. I want our clients to have those same experiences and learn those same skills.”[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]