Lived Experience Archives - Page 2 of 9

Program Spotlight: The East Falls Community Fridge

“To be hungry and not have food, that’s just such a hurtful feeling,” Dené shared. She remembers being a child searching for food in an empty cabinet and breaking into tears. This personal history drives her commitment to ensuring others don’t face the same hardship. Dené volunteers at the East Falls Community Fridge. While she is busy managing a pediatric medical practice, she found time during the pandemic to start volunteering checking the fridge temperature twice a day. Her commitment to increasing access to food is rooted in her own [...]

Janine Monico2025-05-20T15:33:16-04:00April 11th, 2025|Awareness, Community, Eating Disorder, Lived Experience|

ROMEOS Know How to Stay Connected in Retirement

HealthyMindsPhilly met with local Philadelphia retirees Paul J. (76), William M. (74), Joseph B. (74), Ed Z. (76), Robert B. (76), and Bud Y. (68) to discuss how retired men can connect beyond work and retirement. There's a group of ROMEOs (Retired Old Men Eating Out) who gather at Reading Terminal Market every Friday for their weekly catch-up. "It's very important to get together and catch up,” one ROMEO explained. “Actually, every Friday, we solve most of the problems in the world." The light-hearted ease with which the men converse [...]

Janine Monico2025-05-20T15:33:27-04:00April 4th, 2025|Lived Experience, Men's Health, Older Adults|

Diversity and Music: Alice’s Recipe for Mental Wellness

Alice, a long-time resident of Philadelphia, shares her experiences and insights about the city's diverse culture and its impact on her life. Born and raised in South Philly, Alice has spent most of her life in the city, with a brief stint in North Carolina before returning to her roots. "We're used to a melting pot of people of different nationalities," Alice explains, highlighting one of Philadelphia's most cherished attributes. This diversity is not just a demographic fact, but a lived experience that shapes the city's character. "There are cultural [...]

Janine Monico2025-07-21T09:26:00-04:00March 13th, 2025|Lived Experience, Music and Mental Health|

From Crack & Alcohol to a Life of Health & Service

“She had the life that I wanted,” said Starlene, a Germantown resident who calls her sister her “hero.” "She showed me what recovery was all about." Initially, Starlene resisted seeking recovery help, but despite her reluctance, her sister never gave up on her. “She would leave information about recovery everywhere, in my pockets, on the table, on my wallet. When I was ready and needed it, it was there for me to find.” After a harrowing experience involving crack, alcohol, and weed, Starlene suffered a stroke that left her unable [...]

Janine Monico2025-03-08T13:12:04-05:00March 10th, 2025|Addiction & Recovery, Lived Experience|