07/06/2025
Did you see this post from our nonprofit? FSA RECS. WoW. It’s a call to YOU!!
A Call to Our City: Join Us in Changing Lives Through Rescue, Education, Conservation, and Service
Jacksonville, something truly extraordinary is happening right here in our city—at Floating Sea Aquatics, home of the nonprofit FSA RECS: Rescue, Education, Conservation, and Service. Located at 8661 Old Kings Rd S, this is more than a place—it’s a growing movement rooted in love, inclusion, and action.
We just celebrated a major milestone with the ribbon cutting of two groundbreaking community art installations:
🎨 The Visual Art Gala Wall
🖼️ And the world’s first-ever Sensory Art Wall, specially designed for individuals of all abilities—including the blind and visually inspired—featuring Braille, tactile elements, and audio descriptions.
These walls are free and open to the public, and more than art—they are expressions of accessibility, diversity, and belonging.
This season, the walls honor the theme of the St. John’s River, in collaboration with our amazing partners at St. John’s Riverkeeper, especially their education director, Jamie. The themes, like the river, will flow and change every six months—offering fresh inspiration, continued learning, and ongoing conservation awareness.
But behind this mission are some of the most inspiring hearts you will ever meet:
🧡 Azi and Ray Raza 💙
and Shiana Barbosa—the founders of FSA RECS.
Shiana, a retired U.S. Marine veteran and special education teacher, lives with severe disabilities yet remains the heartbeat of this mission. Ray, who is battling terminal cancer, has poured his strength into making this dream a reality. And Azi, founder of Floating Sea Aquatics, is the glue and foundation to unite these visions under one roof—with one purpose.
Through FSA RECS, they’ve built a nonprofit like no other:
• A rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome program for animals
• A literacy and education center
• Free public art classes and a vibrant art club, led by the incredible Shonezi Contractor
• Over 1,000 free meals served every year, with highlights including the Thanksgiving cook-off
• A Christmas toy drive that puts gifts into the hands of hundreds of children
• Free access to nature experiences and animal interactions
• And now, the world’s first sensory-inclusive art gala wall
We have free open mic night called Spilled Ink… Led By Aniah Heaven
And there is more……
All of this is funded without grants, fueled only by donations, love, and the selfless efforts of our volunteers—the true foundation and lifeblood of this mission.
But we cannot do this alone.
FSA RECS urgently needs the support of our community—your support—to continue this vital work. Whether you’re an artist, educator, animal lover, or simply someone who cares, there’s a place for you here.
🎥 Please take a moment to watch this short video of the ribbon cutting ceremony. See the art, the smiles, the helping hands—this is what community looks like.
Join us. Stand with us. Help us grow this mission of compassion.
Together, we can build a Jacksonville that truly reflects the best in us all.
Let’s rescue. Let’s educate. Let’s conserve. Let’s serve.
Let’s rise—together.
With hope and gratitude,
The FSA RECS Family LISC Jacksonville WJXT4 The Local Station / News4JAX New Leaf School for Change Jacksonville, FL Local - News Break Hola News Jacksonville First Coast News Jacksonville News and Commentary News 4 Clay County
Jax Teach St. Johns Riverkeeper Tim Stahlheber Action News Jax Jacksonville 95ers Devil's Pets NKS Reptiles Ashton Biological Preserve Darryll D Davis Melanie De Sousa Black Melanie Rae Shonezi Contracter DanTheTurtleMan The Jericho School for Children with Autism, Jacksonville, Florida
