Find Updates on our Four Pillars of Strength
The 4 Pillars of FTR
Look for updates on our "Four Pillars" each month:  Exercise, Nutrition, Community Service, and Artistic Expression. Using these elements, FTR members grow strong. Comments? Suggestions? Contact newsletter editor Sarah Kappos at sarahlynnkappos@gmail.com 
Sarah Kappos and Joe Church reading their "Buffalo Prayers" at Rimini Coffee
River Writers Pack the House at Rimini! 
Mini Workshops in December :    
Mini Writing Workshop
Paint A Present
New Year's Writing Workshop

On December 1 at Rimini Coffee, the River Writers read to a full house of 80+ people who gathered to hear their words. The reading was a culmination of a 6 week creative writing course, and a testament to the resiliency of the human spirit.  The small coffee house smelled of fresh pumpkin pie and coffee.  Heads were turned sideways listening intently, small tears fell, followed by ripples of laughter.  We were honored to have 7th Street TreatmentCenter join us.  Their residents have been writing with Creative Arts Director Sarah Kappos for the last 3 months.  It was a true display of inner strength to match the outer strength of FTR's powerful members.

New sessions of River Writing begin the 2nd week of January. For only a $5 drop-in, join us for Mini workshops in December.  Details on the Facebook links above!
Nutrition/Food To Recover:  FTR filled up on Friendsgiving 
 
In a celebration of Giving Tuesday and the #FTRgive campaign, our little gym hosted a workout and "family" dinner on November 28.  After we sweated it out on the mats, we circled up with lead trainer Frank Young.  He asked a few people to state their gratitude and the energy was palpable.  We are a community deeply committed to health and to each other.  Every person in the circle was smiling and sweaty and hungry!  Thanks to Tess Acker, the food was amazing and healthy.
 
Tessa also runs Tuesday's Community Meal Prep. It's a great way to get a whole bunch of healthy meals for practically free! Just sign up and bring your simple food assignment.  Go home with a week's worth of lunch and some new food tricks up your sleeve.
 
Meal Prep December 5th  
Meal Prep December 12th 
 
FTR members stayed strong to their Food and Fitness Commitment and are now working to continue what healthy habits best served them. The winner will be announced in early December.  
 
Look for updates on our Holiday Guest Chef December 19th!
For recipes, pictures, and other foodie fun, visit the Food2Recover blog:  
 
Fitness:  New Trainer Justin Z. 
 
In his casual way, Justin Zizumbo strolled in to FTR and won over the whole crew. The voices buzzed,  "have you met the new trainer?  He is awesome!"

Justin is a licensed social worker who deals with at-risk youth. He has a passion for service and for fitness which makes him a perfect fit for us!

Fun fact about Justin which may surprise you,
"I was the President of the Chapter of the Sigma Chi Fraternity at Utah State during my bachelors education, an ultimate "frat boy." Something that you may not guess when first meeting me but also something that I am proud of and my experience with Sigma Chi taught me a lot about leadership and success."

Come to a class and meet him.
Justin teaches Tuesday 4:30/5:30 pm and Thursday 5:30/6:30 pm

* * *
  Behind the Burpees is a blog written by FTR trainers.  We are always reflecting on our methods in order to better serve and connect with our community.

Do you have a golden nugget from the gym? Email our editor SarahKappos: 
sarahlynnkappos@gmail.com

Service:  FTR's Spirit of Christmas Outreach
 
 
Join FTR on Christmas morning @ 9 a.m. at the Rio Grande Train Depot.  Our mission: to provide thick coats, a warm meal, a bag full of goodies, and community support to those living on the streets and in the shelters of downtown SLC.

If you are interested in volunteering please join the event so we get an accurate count of how many people will be joining us. If you will kindly be donating you may drop items off at FTR Gym located at 789 West 1390 South by December 19th.
 
FTR is teaming up with USARA, ONE VOICE Recover, SLC Fire Department, Utah Naloxone, Points, and the Utah AIDS Foundation to help with a Community Clean up on December 13th from 11:30 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.

For questions please contact:  Rachel Santizo @ 385-414-7174 or rachelsdj4life@gmail.com.  
 
T hank YOU for all YOU do. As a community, WE can make a difference. Giving to those who need it the most is truly what the Holidays are about. Happy Holidays from the FTR family to y ours.
Members Gave Big to #FTRGive!
 
What do you get when you combine 200 pounds of food, 217 Facebook and Instagram posts and a team of tireless board and staff members? #FTRgive, an evening of friendship, gratitude and recovery celebration. The November 28 workout and community dinner - in tandem with the national #GivingTuesday effort - included nearly 100 people who gave a generous $5,100 to FTR, including a $1 per social media post match by Leigh Ann Marsh and Julie Brizzee. Check out the photos here: http://smu.gs/2kjzaGV Please consider a year-end tax deductible contribution to FTR here: http://bit.ly/2BvifEB Thank you and happy holidays from FTR!
MISSION: FTR's mission is to provide people in recovery from drug and alcohol misuse with a safe place to connect through exercise, nutrition, creative expression and community service.

 789 W 1390 S Salt Lake City, UT 84104 | 801-410-8988 | ftr@fit2recover.org | fit2recover.org
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Special thanks to our Champion donors:
The George S. and Dolores D. Eccles Foundation
The Sorenson Legacy Foundation
The Lawrence T. and Janet T. Dee Foundation
Episcopal Diocese of Utah
Intermountain Healthcare
Val and Edith Green Foundation
Larry H. Miller Charities
Nicholas Zurn Scholarship Fund
Utah Medical Association
The Wheeler Foundation
United Way of Salt Lake
Zions Bank  
 
And to our Recovery Partners!
Acqua Recovery - Ascend Recovery  - Balance House - Brighton Recovery - Cold Creek Behavioral Health - The Haven - Odyssey House - Recovery Ways - Renaissance Ranch Treatment Centers - Turning Point - Salt Lake County Youth Services - Strong Hope/Salt Lake Behavioral Health  

STAY CONNECTED: