We had a vision to open a LGBTQ+ and BIPOC centered wellness center in 2020 and we made that vision come true. We opened in 2020 and quickly became the safe space we always dreamed of being able to go to ourselves! We currently are black and queer owned and are comprised of a group of 27 individuals offering massage therapy, mental health therapy, electrolysis, voice coaching and community.

We also had a full hair salon, makeup classes and photography at Wild Ferns Wellness Center. To our disbelief, Rizza Benton who owned Roots Hair Lounge and Syd Eckhoff who was a photographer at Wild Ferns Wellness Center died on November 19th and November 24th.

There are not adequate words to express the heartbreak we are currently experiencing. Wild Ferns is strong and resilient but like our community, we are also collectively heartbroken, shocked, numb and hurting. We did not just lose our teammates, we lost our friends.

We are graciously asking you for community support. All donations will go to afford any Wild Ferns' provider in need to take time to cope, breathe, grieve and start to heal before coming back to serve our community.

Wild Ferns Wellness Center expanded in October 2022 and began renting an additional 3300 square feet. Roots Hair Lounge moved upstairs where they created a beautiful salon. Clients loved it and often stayed to relax well after their hair and lashes were finished.

While expansion is great and growth is wonderful, we were still building and working on adding more providers. We were not prepared emotionally, mentally or financially for the lose of our dear friends and their salon. All of Wild Ferns Wellness Center is a labor of love.

We want to be transparent about what we need to raise and why.

Raised before the launch of this freefunder.com campaign: $6836

$4750 has been used to cover time off work for mental health therapists

$1000 went to Roots Lounge stylist Ash, who worked side by side with Rizza and Syd daily, and has made the self-compassionate decision to take extended time away from providing hair services.

$850 to cover lost Roots rent

What is still needed: $10,014

$5500 to cover time off for mental health therapists

$2200 to cover time off for other providers

$2550 to cover rent for Roots while we work on figuring out how to move forward-we do not want to rush this process, to do so would cause more pain than help

We appreciate your support and love! Please share and help us survive and thrive.

Want to know more?

Visit us at Wildfernswellness.com