My name is Erica Leonard, for those who don't know me.  I'm a very proud momma of two special little girls. I am also the owner of Core954, a small fitness/dance studio here in Fort Lauderdale.  My dream was always to provide a space for myself, my babies and others to escape, to be healthy and to heal through art and music combined with fitness. Healing and spreading LOVE is my life. However, my life hasn't always been so easy. During my early years, I was dealt some tough cards which are exactly what led me to this moment in my career. I survived a traumatic cancer scare at 14 years of age, which introduced me to healing the body through nutrition and raw foods. I survived two major car accidents which led me to teaching Classical Pilates to heal my physical injuries. I became a single mom running a very successful studio all alone, with no child support or steady income after my divorce. Then, not long ago I tragically lost the most incredible love of my life through a sudden tragedy.  Core954 was my saving grace through it all. With a little hope and perseverance I kept moving on. I was brought to the day of finally being able to expand my first location, the blessings were everywhere. I had lovely friends and family surrounding me and supporting my dream. I was convinced, now was finally my time to give my hometown something special and unique. It was time for my story to be told. I put everything I had into building out my new location. Unfortunately, just months after I opened my doors, Covid hit..  hit me hard. It has destroyed my small business that I have worked tremendously on throughout all of these years, not to mention during the toughest times of my life.  However, I refuse to give up, my girls depend on me. Aside from having each other, it is really all we have left. Core954 saved our lives in so many ways, I will be forever grateful.  It's our home away from home. Our members and staff have become our family.  This is my one chance to keep my vision alive and give back to my Core954 "family"...  most importantly I will show my little girls that being vulnerable is ok, telling your story is ok, and working hard for what you are passionate about, is so worth it. No matter how tough life gets.
 These funds donated will be going toward "moving forward"  bills, expenses, and rent to play catch up on. We are a small studio in a big space. There are amazing new ideas in the works to drive revenue which will allow for even more magical experiences within the walls of Core954. Aside from the new added classes, we plan to have small events with local musicians and artists, sound bowl healing and meditations, combined with wellness and online programs, kids theatre and dance... the list goes on. It's been a work in progress to say the least. The gifts received from you, my friends, will help give us the extra funding to keep it all moving....I want to help heal this community in the space that has healed me. I pray this wave of COVID-19 passes us sooner than later.
There is no telling what the future holds, but I am proud to say I am giving it my all.
Stay happy, and stay healthy.
I have hope. I am love...and love always wins.
I want to thank each and every one of you from the bottom of my heart. 
I am sending you many blessings back. 

All our love, 
Erica, Everly and Isla
www.core954.com