Today we’d like to introduce you to Carla Sweeney.
Hi Carla, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I have has lived in Jacksonville, FL for most of my life. Because of my own Recovery Journey, God placed it on my heart to help others in the Recovery Community and in 2016 I formed a non-profit called Awakenings House, Sober Living for Women. At Awakenings House, We Uplift , Inspire and Empower Women to recover from alcoholism and addiction by using a 12 Step recovery program that builds a relationship with God. We provide a safe and affordable housing Community for Women as they develop skills for independent living.
During this time I’ve met survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation during their stay with us at Awakenings House. This has blossomed my awareness and has opened my heart to further help women who are in need of a safe refuge, unconditional love and healing. This month, Awakenings House celebrates a “Decade” of Families reunited, Generational cycles broken, Women who once struggled now lead, mentor, and inspire others walking the same path!
Through a particular survivor, I was introduced to my business partner and friend, Donna Fenchel and together we formed a non-profit called The Villages of Hope. Villages of Hope is a two-residential program that provides a community that nurtures healing, growth and restoration.
We officially opened our doors in December 2025 and currently have six women in our program. It is a Privilege and an Honor to walk along side each and every Woman! God gets all of the Glory and Praise!
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
Recovering from an addiction, trauma and sexual exploitation is not an easy journey and the journey is never linear.
We’ve been impressed with Awakenings House/Villages of Hope, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I have has lived in Jacksonville, FL for most of my life. Because of my own Recovery Journey, God placed it on my heart to help others in the Recovery Community and in 2016 I formed a non-profit called Awakenings House, Sober Living for Women. At Awakenings House, We Uplift , Inspire and Empower Women to recover from alcoholism and addiction by using a 12 Step recovery program that builds a relationship with God. We provide a safe and affordable housing Community for Women as they develop skills for independent living.
During this time I’ve met survivors of trafficking and sexual exploitation during their stay with us at Awakenings House. This has blossomed my awareness and has opened my heart to further help women who are in need of a safe refuge, unconditional love and healing. This month, Awakenings House celebrates a “Decade” of Families reunited, Generational cycles broken, Women who once struggled now lead, mentor, and inspire others walking the same path!
Through a particular survivor, I was introduced to my business partner and friend, Donna Fenchel and together we formed a non-profit called The Villages of Hope. Villages of Hope is a two-residential program that provides a community that nurtures healing, growth and restoration.
We officially opened our doors in December 2025 and currently have six women in our program. It is a Privilege and an Honor to walk along side each and every Woman! God gets all of the Glory and Praise!
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
From a series of bad choices and behaviors I came into the world of Recovery from Addiction and this was the best decision of life.! This decision and new way of life opened up doors to become of service to others and also opened up doors to create my two non-profits to help other women.
Contact Info:
- Website: awakeningshouseinc.org and villagesofhope.org
