SPRING 2024

Happy Spring! As we look forward to bright days to come, MSCL is focusing on partnerships, connections, and exciting new collaborations. Connections among residents, staff, and volunteers grow stronger each day and partnerships with the broader community give us continued confidence in the work we are doing and the vital support to do the work.

In addition to our valued ongoing collaborations with area health care providers, dentists, behavioral health counselors, Gravity Tennis & Fitness, and the Y, we are pleased to also be partnering with other nonprofits to the benefit of our residents and the broader community. Many thanks to The Hunger Coalition that supported our residents' nutrition and food security this winter. When people in the valley are struggling, it is amazing to have this reliable, vital resource.

The Far & Wise organization has been helpful to us in promoting continuing education programs and possibilities. Please take a moment to read the attached interview with a participant in our Education Program that highlights this relationship. We look forward to further collaboration with them in the future.

Also, we continue to work with the South-Central Health District to raise awareness of the dangers of fentanyl. Please mark your calendar for our panel discussion on May 7. Details are provided below.

Many individual community members continue to volunteer their time and talent to support our residents. Thank you to so many who continue to step up to offer the men the future they are striving for.

With gratitude,

Sonya Wilander
Executive Director

MSCL HOUSE: A Documentary

A huge thank you to Peggy Goldwyn, and her amazing team of John Plummer and Kendall Nelson, for creating this powerful video sharing the work we do through our residents' own voices. These first-person accounts are moving and thought-provoking and we thank the MSCL program participants who were willing to tell their stories in such a profound way. We hope you take a moment to watch the video and that it gives you a deeper understanding of the life-changing mission of MSCL and how your support has positively impacted the lives of our residents and community. (13:27 minutes).

Evan's Pipeline Dream Come True

Evan* didn’t always dream of pursuing a career in plumbing, but now, deep into his second semester of coursework through the College of Western Idaho, he is very happy he decided to give it a chance. While working on a homework assignment to virtually plumb a house, adding fixtures and pipes to an online blueprint, Evan explained his journey toward becoming a plumbing journeyman.

“I got a job with a local plumbing contractor, and I work about 32 hours a week there,” he said. “The chance to take online classes to complete the 8,000 hours I need to get my journeyman’s card and then work at the next level has been great. Sonya really helped me understand how MSCL could help me with the education part of my training. She helped me figure out how to sign up for school and get the Idaho Launch Grant. The grant is basically an alternative for people in Idaho to get money for school instead of unemployment benefits which made a lot of sense since I am working in the field already. Through my grant, I am able to cover 80 percent of my tuition and the Education Program at MSCL covers the rest.”  

In addition, Evan was supported by the local nonprofit Far & Wise, with whom he has been affiliated since grade school. He is part of a small cohort from his class that this organization has mentored for many years. They made it possible for Evan to get a much-needed laptop for his studies.

“I was never into school because I wasn’t really engaged,” Evan said. “But now because I am choosing it, I am more invested in the program. I want to be prepared for my classes and get the most out of it. One of the main reasons that I chose this is I saw the value in learning a skill. Nowadays with technology advancing, having a real skill is important. People will always need good plumbers.”

By attending the College of Western Idaho, Evan has also created the opportunity to earn his Bachelors’ degree. “After four years of school for plumbing, you only need five more credits to get your degree which seems like a great idea,” he said.

As Evan closes his laptop and prepares to head off to help service the plumbing needs of the valley, he is certain he is on a good track. His goal? To own his own business and provide opportunities to others who want to change the direction of their futures.

*name has been changed to protect privacy

FENTANYL AWARENESS DISCUSSION PANEL 

Together with the South-Central Public Health District, MSCL will host panel discussions and a Q&A session with members of our community who have experienced the dangers of fentanyl first-hand. Please mark your calendars for Tuesday, May 7 at 6 pm at The Community Campus Minnie Moore Room for this critical presentation. It is open to all community members and is free of charge.

The Panelists will include: EMT/Firefighter, County Coroner, Blaine County Narcotics Enforcement Team, Public Prosecutor, and Men's Second Chance Living.

NEW Rx DROP BOX IN KETCHUM POLICE DEPARTMENT

To help mitigate the possibility of prescription drugs falling into the wrong hands, the Ketchum Police Department recently announced a new prescription drop box to encourage citizens to discard unused medication. The drop box is located at City Hall at 191 5th Street West in Ketchum in the police department office. If you arrive after hours, there is a phone outside the front door, which will connect you to dispatch, and an officer will assist with the turn in. They ask that returned items be limited to controlled and prescription drugs and NOT over-the-counter items.

Men’s Second Chance Living is a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and registered with the IRS Tax ID #82-4647969

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott S. Lucas, President

Nancy Mann, MD, Secretary

John G. Murray, Treasurer

John S. Miller

Kathryn Riedinger

Atty. Lee P. Ritzau

Andrew Rothermel

John Sofro

Sonja Uri