Yuma families gather for fifth annual Serenity Sun Splash

Families filled the poolside space at Yuma’s Valley Aquatic Center as TLC Recovery Arizona used music, food and raffle prizes to turn a summer gathering into a doorway for recovery awareness. The fifth annual Serenity Sun Splash brought people together on June 20 for a free, family-friendly afternoon that paired recreation with a message about support after treatment.

The event was held at the Valley Aquatic Center, 4381 W. 18th St. in Yuma, and featured a DJ, complimentary food and soft drinks, plus a raffle. A community calendar listing for the event said the first 100 guests would receive a Serenity Sun Splash towel, a small giveaway that helped signal the event’s mix of fun and outreach.

For TLC Recovery Arizona, the splash is part of a much longer effort. The organization says it has hosted Recovery Community Family Events since 2004, starting with monthly pizza parties and later expanding into weekend activities and annual gatherings such as Recovery Palooza, Serenity Sun Splash and Trick or Treat. TLCR describes itself as a recovery organization founded by people in recovery from drug and alcohol addiction and mental illness who were frustrated by the lack of support and guidance after treatment.

That history gives Serenity Sun Splash a role beyond a one-day social event. In a city like Yuma, which had a population of 95,548 at the 2020 census, recurring family events can become a steady entry point for people who may need to learn about recovery support but are more likely to come for a pool day with children in tow. The format matters: a free gathering with food, music and a raffle lowers the barrier to attendance and brings TLCR’s message into a setting that feels open, familiar and welcoming.

The Valley Aquatic Center, operated year-round by the City of Yuma Parks and Recreation Department, has become a natural fit for that approach. The city facility is already used for public swimming and seasonal party rentals, and on June 20 it doubled as a place where Yuma families could spend an afternoon together while also hearing, in a practical way, that recovery resources exist locally.