- April 18, 2024
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Just a few weeks away from the start of his 18th NBA season, Vince Carter, a native of Daytona Beach, along with his mother, Michelle Carter-Scott, visited WARM (Women Assisting Recovery Mothers) at their facility, the Vince Carter Sanctuary on Tuesday, Sept. 8, in Bunnell.
“There are some people that we really know, not something we’ve read about, that have died of overdoses and different things, and they were in denial too,” said Carter-Scott, speaking to the dozens of residents in attendance. “God only gives us one life. Now, you can screw it up if you want to, but you got one shot at this, so, instead of going down the screw-it-up path, why not go down the other path that says, ‘You know what? I’m going to make myself the best I can be.’”
For over an hour, Carter and his mother shared personal stories of struggle and triumph in which they related to the women’s lives, who were dealing with addiction problems. Whether he talked about his team role going from star player to reliever, or whether Carter-Scott mentioned how she dealt with a divorce with two young children and not well off, they both elaborated on goal setting.
“It’s not just about setting goals,” Carter said, “but you have to be willing to work for them. A lot of people say, ‘I want this, or I want that,’ but you have to work for it. We have to try. And, it’s OK to come up short because then you learn lessons on how to succeed the next time.”
After they both addressed the women, the floor was opened for questions and comments, and one women, a huge sports fan, thanked Carter and his mother for their time and words, saying she was going to quit the program on Monday, but, after hearing their stories, she was going to move forward.
“The fact that they’re all sitting in here today is a great result,” Carter said. “The challenge begins once they get here, but the biggest challenge is walking through the door. It’s so easy to say ‘OK. I quit. I can’t take it; I’m going to leave.’ I’m not looking for anything greater than that; I just want to give these people an opportunity because they have to be willing to walk in here on their own. I’m willing to help people who help themselves.”
The Vince Carter Sanctuary also has a daycare facility for the mothers, who are struggling with addiction. There, according to Carter, they’re able to build together, and the parents get to have their kids with them, as they go through their journey.
“It’s always tough to see the women here who are, but that’s why we built the daycare,” he added. “There was a mother here, who had a kid that was about 6 years old, and, as she continues to grow, she can say, ‘I did this, and now she gets to teach him what it takes to struggle and persevere. That’s what this is all about.”
Carter and his mother stayed around for as long as necessary to take pictures with anyone who wanted a photo, and they talked to all who wanted to personally thank them and answered more questions.
The Vince Carter Sanctuary is located at 301 Justice Lane in Bunnell. For more information, call 1-800-478-0331.
