The Recovery House of Central Florida Inc. proudly presents the Hope Returns Gala, an evening dedicated to rebuilding lives and restoring futures. Join us on Thursday, November 12th, 2026 at the Westin Lake Mary to support men overcoming substance use disorder, mental health challenges, and housing insecurity. Each sponsored table will be hosted by a Recovery House Ambassador who has maintained years of sobriety since graduating from our program. This fun, intimate event will celebrate the cause, the mission, and the successes. Your support funds vital programs, including mental and behavioral health services, case management, and transitional support that guide individuals toward independent living.
Thursday, November 12, 2026
Doors Open at 5:45 P.M.
Event Begins at 6:30 P.M.
MORE INFO COMING SOON!
Support a night that truly makes a difference by sponsoring the Hope Returns Gala. With multiple sponsorship levels, businesses and individuals can gain meaningful exposure while directly impacting the lives of men working to overcome substance use disorder, mental health challenges, and housing insecurity. From our exclusive Presenting Sponsor package, which includes premium seating, yearlong brand visibility, and on-site recognition, to Diamond, Platinum, and Gold levels that offer event presence, signage, and social media exposure, each tier showcases your support and aligns your brand with a powerful cause.
Your sponsorship not only elevates your visibility at this inspiring evening but also helps fund critical services like mental and behavioral health support, case management, and transitional programs that lead to lasting independence.
We are also seeking items for the silent auction. Contact us at:
hopereturns@recoveryhouseinc.com
Peabody Award-Winning Journalist, Anchor, & Media Professional
Jim Payne is a veteran, award-winning journalist who spent decades as one of Central Florida’s most trusted voices. For over 20 years, he anchored the evening news at WESH 2 TV, delivering high-impact journalism rooted in a deep commitment to the community.
Today, Jim stays busy as Media Advisor to the Health IT startup Actual Healthcare Solutions, and volunteers at Mount Charleston Fire-Rescue in Nevada.
Jim’s career is defined by excellence, earning him journalism’s most prestigious honors. He is a recipient of the George Foster Peabody Award for his blockbuster investigative series “Building Homes: Building Problems,” which exposed systemic issues in local home construction. His range spans from breaking news to deep-dive documentaries, earning him an Alfred I. DuPont Award for his coverage of the Space Shuttle Columbia disaster, an Edward R. Murrow Award for the gripping documentary “Code Blue: Crisis in the ER,” and numerous Emmy Awards. He was also consistently named part of Orlando Magazine’s “Best TV News Team.”
Beyond the anchor desk, Jim’s true legacy is his tireless advocacy for others. A champion for local causes, he served on the Board of Directors for Special Olympics Florida for over two decades, is an ambassador for the Edgewood Children’s Ranch, and supports causes dedicated to fighting addiction and alcoholism. Most notably, he founded the Jim Payne Fearless 5K for the Children, an annual initiative raising critical funds and awareness for Kids House to support victims of abuse. His profound impact has been recognized with the national Jefferson Award for Public Service and The President’s Award for Volunteer Service.
A native of Green Bay, Jim earned his B.A. in Communications from Purdue University before honing his craft across the country—from the NBC News Southwest Bureau in Houston to major newsrooms in North Carolina, Georgia, and Indiana.
Hosted by Amy Sweezey, a well-known and trusted voice in Central Florida.
Meteorologist Amy Sweezey is an author, public speaker, and podcast host. After a rewarding career in TV news, Amy founded Social Weather, LLC, where she provides weather and media services for organizations across the country, including Carnival Cruise Line, Convention News Television, the Florida Weather Authority, and local television affiliates of ABC, CBS, NBC, and Spectrum News.
Amy frequently serves as a keynote speaker, moderator, and emcee for conferences, corporate events, and community organizations. She is also the author of two children’s books about weather and two educational workbooks. Amy and her husband live in Central Florida.
Director of Marketing and Community Relations
Finance Director
Executive Director
Edward Carr has served as the Executive Director of Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc. since 2024. Prior to that, he held several important roles over the past ten years. One notable role was as a client of Recovery House, entering the program in 2015. Edward has earned a master’s degree in social work and is a Master Certified Addiction Professional through the Florida Certification Board. He is also a Registered Clinical Social Work intern with the Florida Department of Health Division of Quality Assurance. Edward honorably served in the United States Air Force and in law enforcement.
Edward is leading the organization with a focus on strategic growth and innovation. Under his leadership, Recovery House continues to expand its mission serving Central Florida, providing a safe and supportive environment for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, and substance use disorders. Having experienced many of the issues the clients have, Edward has developed a personal affinity for the needs of the population he serves.
Clinical Director
Throughout her career, Dr. Thomas has held several senior leadership roles, including Senior Vice President of Continuous Quality Improvement for One Hope United, National Director of Mental Health Services for AMIkids, and Executive Director for Children’s Home Society of Tampa.
She currently serves as the Clinical Director for Recovery House of Central Florida, Inc., where she oversees clinical programming and ensures the delivery of high‑quality, evidence‑informed care.
