Over the course of its first twenty years, SunServe touched hundreds of thousands of lives across Broward County, FL. Their mantra is ‘We help people.’ As its third decade dawns, the organization looks to help even more people by expanding its reach through more of South Florida and the entire state.

“Part of our strategic plan is to focus on expanding into Miami-Dade County because we know that the mental health services we provide are very much needed,” SunServe CEO and Executive Director Tony Lima said. “We also want to have a presence in southern Palm Beach County.”

Lima just completed his first year with the organization and capped it off with a party at The Manor in Wilton Manors. The goal of the night was to kick off excitement for their upcoming gala, Studio SHINE, which will have a Studio 54/disco theme. But at the end, his staff had a surprise. They rolled out a big cake with a staff picture on the icing. Lima was visibly moved by their show of support. “My goal is to make us all a family. I want us all to be invested in each other’s work. The pride in their work is at an all time high.”

Spreading The Health

Between coming out of the pandemic and uncertainty around leadership changes, 2022 could have understandably been written off as a rebuilding year. But Lima and his staff turned it into a launching pad that will propel them into 2023 and beyond. It also saw SunServe reunited at many levels. Services like youth groups and mental health care are once again face to face. It also saw founder Dr. James Lopresti return to a very active role in the organization.

The pandemic saw services swing towards telehealth treatments. While that was an innovative way to adapt in a crisis, Lima says it wasn’t optimal. “People felt disconnected. They’re back and we’re providing our groups, therapy, all of our services in person.” They still offer telehealth, but it’s only responsible for about 15% of mental health cases. “If we have someone who is out of town and doesn’t have the ability to get here, we will absolutely have telehealth. It’s necessary. But I think it’s important for people to have a safe space. A ‘brick and mortar’ space that they can visit and be able to connect with clinicians.”

Besides restarting in-person services, Lima’s also planning to reach people beyond Broward’s borders. “Ultimately, it’s my vision to expand these services throughout the state. In the more remote areas, these services wouldn’t exist otherwise unless SunServe comes in and starts to provide services for the LGBT community.”

Being Seen

SunServe’s programs are wide ranging. Besides mental health treatment, they work with people who have substance abuse issues, food and housing insecurity, the trans and youth communities, and more. But there are many people who don’t know that help is available. Lima’s goal is to be out more in the general community. “People can expect to intersect with SunServe in a more accessible way throughout South Florida. There will be a bigger presence throughout the area.”

They have two major events coming up in March, 2023: the aforementioned gala and the AHF Florida AIDS Walk. “If anything, it’s more visibility as a whole. Being available and accessible is most important to us.”

As the new year begins, Lima says the future is rooted in the spirit of everyone from clients served all the way up to the Board of Directors. “SunServe is not a brick-and-mortar set of buildings. SunServe is a feeling, a state of mind. It’s a movement.”

“We’re all SunServe.”