The most heart-wrenching event in our community occurred on June 24, 2021, when a condominium tower collapsed in Surfside, Florida. In the midst of the calamity, as the world watched the aftermath of the Surfside tower collapse, the community united in support of all those affected. Those impacted by this catastrophe, will be in our hearts forever.
In the midst of the calamity, as the world watched the aftermath of the Surfside collapse, Neil Handler experienced a moment of hope when his 15-year-old son, Jonah was pulled out from the wreckage by a First Responder. Splashed across most news outlets around the world was a picture of Jonah, slung over the shoulder of a first responder, being carried out of the wreckage… Alive. The sheer carnage that first responders witnessed is unimaginable for most people. Rarely do we connect with the idea that they are all victims – the injured, as well as the first responders.
Sadly, Jonah lost his beloved mother that day, Stacie Dawn Fang, who perished along with 97 other victims.
In memory of his mother, Stacie and all those who lost their lives that day, Jonah and his father Neil created The Phoenix Life Project, a 501(c)(3), non-for-profit organization.
On their journey to healing, Jonah and Neil realized that many of those affected by tragedy, including first responders, continue to struggle long after the disaster. To address these struggles created by trauma, they developed the mission of The Phoenix Life Project: The mission is to create awareness and provide resources to those in need of mental and emotional recovery from PTSD through establishing a national network of providers to assist victims of trauma, first responders, veterans, their families, and communities.
As a strategy to accomplish our mission, The Phoenix Life Project seeks to raise awareness and create sustainability for anyone affected by the Surfside condominium collapse, as well as by any future disasters globally. We strive to educate, advocate, and communicate through developing program initiatives in collaboration with municipalities and their departments (i.e. fire and rescue, police, veterans’ associations, etc.). We wish to assist in removing the stigma associated with PTSD and establish a 24-hour, toll-free hot-line that victims and first responders can use to anonymously seek help. In addition, we aim to provide funding for those suffering from PTSD and in need of mental health treatment following a catastrophe or life altering event but simply cannot afford the treatment.
In memory of the 98 people lost in the collapse on June 24, 2021.
They had found their place in the sun, Surfside’s Champlain Towers South.
And then, the unthinkable…
