William Way Community Center X SoulCycle

This "GO FUND ME" is to help raise money for the William Way Community Center located in the heart of Philadelphia's Gayborhood. The Center has been a beacon for local LGBTQ youth and adults for decades and has been a place of aid for me in one of my hardest times. I want to give back to the community that gave back to me when I needed it the most. 

About two years ago I went through a realization that I had a major problem with alcohol, I am an alcoholic. I was teaching in the fitness industry at SoulCycle and training to become an instructor at [[solidcore]] I had recently broken up with my long term boyfriend (now husband) and was going down a path of self destruction. One day I was admitted to the hospital because my drinking caught up to me, my condition Atrial Fibrillation came back due to a late night of heavy drinking and over working my body.  After the doctors cardio-verted my heart that night, I swore to myself, "that was it!" It was over, I had to do something. I struggled for weeks mustering up the strength to go to an AA meeting I was embarrassed and in denial even though I wasn't drinking I knew I needed to talk to someone. I still had immense cravings. 

I finally went to a meeting and I realized I wasn't the only one, I wasn't the only crazy that thought they had everything figured out but in reality was slipping away just a little every day. I made friends at the center and opened myself up to the idea that I didn't have to do this by myself, and that it was okay that I had this problem. I learned through the process and support of everyone there that what I was going through is neither abnormal or normal it just is; and in some strange way that made it okay. The William Way Community Center made me feel like I had the strength to be myself without Alcohol and in turn gave me the strength to keep teaching everybody I know and love here in Philly. 

I hope that my story inspires you to donate to this amazing organization!