Steve Manko - Founder.
Steve Manko's personal journey of recovery is the story of one man's belief in the American dream. The dream that one can come back from the destruction of chemical dependency and build a life that makes a difference. Steve has plenty of what it takes - courage, determination, and especially concern for others.

His story is a voyage from business and personal success at the highest levels of society to one of self-destruction and the depths of addiction. One morning he awakened to the reality that he had lost everything. That he was, in fact, powerless. This was a very bitter pill for Steve to swallow.

After a search for reputable treatment centers, he selected South Florida and the Hanley-Hazleden Center, recognizing Hazelden as the great pioneer in the field. Here he received the help he needed and slowly began to reclaim his life and his dignity. After obtaining sobriety, Steve decided not to return home but rather to remain in Florida where his sober support system was.

It didn't take long for him to recognize what he wanted to do with the rest of his life. Steve began to reach out to others with his personal story as well as with his dream and model of recovery. Now, 20 years later, 30 rehabilitation facilities exist in this area as the result of this vision and passion.

His programs embrace people at every level of recovery and in every socio-economic parallel with an unprecedented success rate. The synergetic effects of Steve's efforts in South Florida have resulted in this area becoming the largest recovery community in the World.

Recently Steve won a major case in Federal Court for discrimination against disabled persons; the millions of addicts and alcoholics, both in an out of recovery, that suffer from this life destructive disease. This epidemic in America has untold costs. It took 5 years and millions of dollars plus the emotional and financial drain on Steve and his family. As a result of his commitment to stay the fight, Federal law now protects the rights of recovering men and women in new ways. They can no longer be treated as outcasts but rather can live anywhere within the very communities they are becoming contributing members of. This legal victory is, perhaps, the greatest legacy of the man we call Steve Manko..

Jennifer Schickling, BA, Director of Awakenings Ms. Schickling received a BA from Penn State, is currently pursuing her masters in social work, and has 8 years of continuous sobriety.

Carlo DiCarlantonio, Admissions Director Carlo is a Boca House graduate and has been working at the facility for over 5 years.

 

Carolina Sepulveda, MHT, Evening Manager of Awakenings.
Ms. Sepulveda has 15 years of continuous sobriety and 15 years experience working within Boca Raton area treatment centers and halfway houses. She has been affiliated with Boca House and Awakenings since 2003.

Christine DeCamille, Awakenings Staff
Christine is a Awakenings resident and has one year in recovery.

Professional Affiliates:

Denise Romguera, PHD L.M.H.C.
Denise Romaguera completed her undergraduate degree from the University of Miami in 1992 and her Master's and Doctorate degrees from Florida International University in 1999 and 2003, respectively. She is also a Licensed Mental Health Counselor and Qualified Supervisor in the State of Florida (MH 7262).

Dr. Romaguera has worked in diverse fields, including domestic violence and sexual abuse, before finding her home in the addiction field. As a starting therapist, she facilitated groups with Children of Alcoholics at ACE Academy in Miami, Florida and she most recently worked as a Primary Therapist at The Family, a dual-diagnosis treatment center in Sunrise, Florida.

Presently, Dr. Romaguera is in private practice, with the greater part of her clientelle presenting with addiction issues. At Awakenings, she facilitates Lifeskills groups, as well as providing individual (and sometimes couple or family) counseling to female residents of this recovery house.