Dear Friends,
They say you come to Sun Valley for the winter but stay for the summer, and this summer certainly gave us countless reasons to stay! The Wood River Valley buzzed with activity, offering residents at both MSCL houses an abundance of opportunities to engage and enjoy the season fully.
Among the many highlights was the ever-popular Hailey Days of the Old West Fourth of July Parade. Our residents eagerly volunteered their time and energy, supporting both participants and spectators alike. Additionally, in collaboration with Sun Valley Resort, MSCL hosted a lively windsock-making activity for children during the River Run Summer Concert Series. This event allowed our residents to give back to the community while enabling MSCL to receive a percentage of lift ticket sales for the day. A heartfelt thank you goes out to Sun Valley Company for including us in such a wonderful family-oriented event!
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Our residents also took the opportunity to appreciate the natural beauty of our area during a weekend outing at Red Fish Lake, made possible by a generous supporter. They gained important life skills while enjoying outdoor activities in a supportive and sober environment.
As we transition into fall, we are proud to celebrate five of our residents who are returning to school to enhance their skills and boost their employability.
In addition, we are excited to share that six of our residents have recently enrolled in our financial literacy and matched savings program, while another six have successfully completed it. This program has helped them build assets and gain the important knowledge needed to make smart financial choices.
Dedicated to achieving lasting sobriety, enriching their lives, and giving back to the community, our residents continue to make meaningful strides. Your ongoing support is instrumental in creating a positive impact within the MSCL community. Thank you for being an essential part of this journey! With gratitude, Sonya Wilander Executive Director |
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Building on the success of two previous tournaments, this summer’s fundraiser was the largest and the most exciting yet. A big thank you goes to the Fabulous Five — Mindy Meads, Kris Miller, Lee Sponaugle, Joanne Wetherell and Mats Wilander— who worked tirelessly to create an unforgettable weekend! Our very own Mats Wilander, a former world #1 professional tennis player with seven Grand Slam singles titles, played a pivotal role in encouraging John McEnroe to join us for the legends exhibition tournament. Lee, as the President of the Wood River Pickleball Association, was instrumental in recruiting top senior pickleball players from across the country to engage in exhibition matches, lead clinics, and compete for prize money.
Joanne, Kris, and Mindy handled all the details of the four-day event—from catering and logistics to outreach and marketing. One highlight was an exclusive dinner at a private home, featuring an exhilarating exhibition tournament with legendary tennis icons--John McEnroe, Vince Van Patten, Mikael Pernfors, and Mats Wilander. The evening also included a successful auction where attendees had the chance to bid on playing with the legends. This special event generated a lot of excitement and raised more money than we anticipated, which is vital for covering the yearly operating costs of MSCL and providing the best services for men in early recovery from substance use disorders.
We are truly grateful to the Fabulous Five for their incredible contributions, creative ideas, and hard work that made this event a great success. Thank you for your commitment to both pickleball and the recovery community! |
MSCL's Matched Savings Account program helps our residents become financially independent. It encourages them to save by matching their deposits dollar-for-dollar for up to a year, making it easier to build assets. The program also focuses on financial education, providing participants with the skills needed to make informed financial decisions. By offering both savings incentives and educational resources, the program helps create a more secure financial future for our residents.
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3RD ANNUAL MSCL PICKLEBALL TOURNAMENT SERVING UP SECOND CHANCES |
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We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all our sponsors, donors, tennis legends, senior pickleball professionals, and dedicated volunteers! A special thank you goes to the community members who showed their support during our weekend of pickleball, contributing to the success of our fundraising event. Your involvement made a significant difference, and we truly appreciate it! |
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| In late September, Steri-Clean opened its new business in Hailey and chose several nonprofit organizations as beneficiaries. Sonya, our Executive Director, was in attendance to celebrate the new ownership and receive a generous check donation. We are grateful to the new owners, Marissa and Joel of Steri-Clean, for supporting our mission to aid men recovering from substance use disorders. Donations from local businesses like Steri-Clean help make our community safer, healthier, and more connected. Together, we can grow as a community! |
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7th Annual 5 Alarm Chili Cook-Off and Meet the Fleet Event benefitting Hailey Volunteer Firefighters |
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MSCL's "Second Chance Chili" wins again! Best Overall Chili Best Nonprofit Congratulations MSCL and head chef Marcus! |
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Honoring our Grant Givers!
We appreciate the generous support of the following grantors! |
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| Nancy Eccles and Homer M. Hayward Family Foundation
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Connecting Sleep, Mental Health, and Substance Use Among Adolescents
Recent research highlights the critical importance of sleep for adolescents, particularly its impact on mental health and substance use. As children transition into their teenage years, their sleep patterns often shift, leading to later bedtimes and less sleep overall. This misalignment between their natural sleep needs and daily responsibilities can contribute to emotional difficulties and impaired decision-making.
In Blaine County, a recent survey revealed that 27% of middle and high school students reported experiencing moderate to severe depression, establishing a strong correlation between sleep duration and mental health. Alarmingly, 51% of students who reported getting six hours or less of sleep also reported significant depressive symptoms, in contrast to only 20% of those getting seven or more hours. Experts caution that teenagers need nine or more hours of sleep each night for optimal health.
These findings are consistent with previous studies showing how inadequate sleep, particularly late bedtimes and reduced sleep duration, increases the risk of substance use among adolescents. For instance, those who had a late bedtime at age 9 were 45% more likely to consume alcohol compared to their peers with earlier bedtimes. The Penn State study further supports this notion, indicating that teens who went to bed later were more inclined to try alcohol and marijuana by age 15, highlighting the crucial role of sleep in shaping teenagers’ choices around risky behaviors.
In the article published in the Idaho Mountain Express, Jim Foudy, the superintendent of the Blaine County School District, had emphasized actionable strategies to combat depression, focusing on promoting better sleep among adolescents. He recommended establishing consistent bedtimes and limiting screen time before bed to encourage healthier sleep habits. These measures are vital, given that poor sleep can lead to increased impulsivity and hindered decision-making, both of which contribute to higher rates of substance use.
Megan Smith from Communities for Youth also underlined the significance of sleep for emotional regulation and overall well-being. She notes that insufficient sleep adversely affects not only mood but also academic performance and behavior.
In summary, the findings from studies referenced here suggest that prioritizing sleep health can yield dual benefits: improving mental health outcomes and reducing the risk of substance use among adolescents. By promoting healthy sleep habits and nurturing supportive relationships between students and trusted adults, communities can take proactive steps to enhance the well-being of their youth.
To learn more, attend a free community presentation on Healthy Sleep Throughout Our Lives by Dr. Kyle Davis, licensed clinical psychologists, specializing in behavioral sleep medicine, at the Community Campus Theater on Tuesday, October 1 from 6-7pm. sponsored by St. Luke's Wood River.
________________________________ References:
Survey: Many valley students report moderate to severe depression. Idaho Mountain Express, December 13, 2023
Mental health experts provide advice on talking to kids. Idaho Mountain Express, December 20, 2023
Results of data collected for Blaine County. Communities for Youth. St. Luke's Wood River
Less sleep and later bedtime in childhood linked to future substance use. Penn State, Christine Yu, August 13, 2024
Impact of sleep and circadian rhythms on addiction vulnerability in adolescents, National Institute of Health, Biol Psychiatry. 2018 June 15; 83(12): 987–996. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.11.035 |
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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 |
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