SPRING 2025

As winter gives way to longer days and warmer weather, excitement is building at the MSCL houses. With spring on the way and summer approaching, our residents are eager to step outside, enjoy the fresh air, and continue their journey of personal growth. Each season reminds us that change is not only possible but also inevitable with support and determination.

We are witnessing impressive progress among our residents as they focus on recovery and long-term goals. Many are finding steady jobs or pursuing higher education, while others engage in wellness and behavioral health services for continued healing.

We’re also excited about our new transitional living residence in Hailey, which opened this past winter. This safe, subsidized home is already helping two of our program graduates take steps toward independent living. This achievement highlights the importance of community support in helping people rebuild their lives after addiction.

We are thankful for our supporters, partners, and community members who make this work possible. Your kindness ensures that everyone who comes to us receives compassion and opportunities for a meaningful life in recovery.

As spring approaches, we look forward to what lies ahead and appreciate your support on this journey.

Warmly,

Sonya Wilander

Executive Director

Our VOLUNTEER initiative is a key part of MSCL's Community Outreach Program. We encourage our residents to get involved in volunteering, as it provides important mental and social benefits during their recovery. It helps them give back to the community while finding a renewed sense of purpose and connection. This positive experience fosters resilience, builds lasting relationships, and promotes personal growth.

We work with local organizations, dedicated individuals, and city officials to provide valuable volunteering opportunities year-round. Their support is vital for helping our residents in their recovery.

In this edition, we recognize the incredible efforts of the men at MSCL who are not only focused on their own recovery but also actively contributing to our community. Whether it’s helping at local events, assisting neighbors, or simply showing up with a smile and a strong work ethic, our residents are committed to giving back.

Being involved in the community is an essential part of the recovery journey. For our residents, volunteering provides a sense of purpose, connection, and pride. Activities like directing traffic at parades, supporting local fundraisers, clearing snow for neighbors, and honoring veterans on Memorial Day help build not only trust but friendships and personal growth. These experiences reinforce that recovery isn’t just about getting sober—it’s about building a new, meaningful life.

Two of our valued community partners who often work with MSCL residents share their appreciation:

“Cheers for our incredible Men’s Second Chance volunteers that we so enjoy working with! Kiwanis cannot express enough just how truly grateful we are for each one of them. The best part? Second Chance men show up! Their unwavering support has made a huge impact on our efforts to help kids of the Wood River Valley. I hope the men at Second Chance know that their efforts have not gone unnoticed. Their contributions make a difference—not just in the work done, but in the spirit and energy they bring to every event.”

Geegee Lowe – Vice President, Kiwanis of Hailey and the Wood River Valley

“Men's Second Chance Living (MSCL) has provided valued and reliable volunteers for some of the biggest and most important events in Hailey for years. The Chamber truly appreciates the effort, energy, and support that MSCL brings to help us fulfill our mission to make the Wood River Valley a better place.”

Mike McKenna – Executive Director, The Chamber - Hailey & Wood River Valley

By forming connections and engaging in service, MSCL residents are laying the foundation for lasting sobriety while creating positive change for themselves and others. We are so proud of their continued growth, their generosity of spirit, and the difference they make in our community every day.

MSCL residents share what giving back means to them...

“Volunteering gives me a sense of purpose. This community has given me so much without expecting anything in return. Just because I’ve made bad decisions doesn’t mean I’m a bad person. Helping out shows that we are assets to this town, and it’s a great way to connect with our neighbors.”

“I like to volunteer and help because it makes me happy. It feels good to give back after everything the community has already done for me.”

“This community has given me a fresh start. Being a part of this small mountain town is a blessing… also, because of the fishing.”

“Having the support that Sonya creates, and the atmosphere she puts us in while volunteering, always leads to a great experience. It’s a blessing to volunteer with someone who has been my biggest support.”

“Most of my life, I only looked out for myself. Volunteering gave me the chance to do something for others—and helped me grow as a person.”

HONORING OUR GRANTORS

Thank you to our grantors for their generous contributions which are vital to our work. 

St. Luke's Community Health Improvement Fund

Opioid Crisis Fund

On March 2nd, Sun Valley Company and Love Like Ky Foundation sponsored the Mountain Strong Tour on Baldy. Various organizations from Wood River Valley, including MSCL, set up booths dedicated to raising awareness about mental health. The event featured an afternoon with skiing, contests, raffles, and engaging activities. To wrap up the day, a sober après-ski celebration and dance party took place at the Warm Springs base. MSCL residents not only enjoyed skiing but also actively managed their booth, contributing to a fun-filled and meaningful event.

At MSCL, over the past seven years, methamphetamine (meth) has consistently been ranked by residents among the top three substances of choice, along with alcohol and THC. Many residents report enjoying the increased energy, alertness, and productivity meth provides. However, this reflects a broader issue across the country, as meth significantly contributes to the overdose crisis, second only to opioids like fentanyl. 

What is Meth?

Methamphetamine (meth) is a strong and addictive synthetic stimulant that can have serious health effects, including the risk of death. It can be smoked, snorted, injected, or taken orally and is often used with other drugs. Users experience a quick rush of euphoria and energy because meth affects dopamine levels in the brain. However, it can also dangerously increase heart rate and blood pressure, leading to anxiety, paranoia, hallucinations, and mood swings with repeated use.

According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), about 2 million people aged 12 and older use meth each year, with around 500 new users trying it for the first time daily. As meth use rises in the United States, overdose deaths are also increasing. This trend is concerning, especially as usage rates among 18- to 23-year-olds have quadrupled. Additionally, various economic and social factors contribute to the problem.

The CDC reports that meth is the second most common substance found in fatal overdoses, following synthetic opioids. Overdoses can occur from meth alone or in combination with other drugs, particularly opioids like fentanyl and heroin. Some users intentionally mix these substances, while others may unknowingly ingest opioids that have been secretly added to illicit meth.

While the opioid crisis and the resulting overdose deaths is well-known, the increasing number of overdose deaths from meth and other stimulants is less recognized. Unlike opioids, there are currently no FDA-approved medications specifically for treating meth addiction. Most treatment options focus on behavioral therapies, such as cognitive-behavioral therapy. The National Institute on Drug Abuse is actively working on developing effective medications to help with withdrawal symptoms, which may work well in combination with behavioral therapy.

In conclusion, meth is a powerful and addictive stimulant that affects not just users, but also their families, and communities. Although there is a lack of targeted treatment options, healthcare providers, policymakers, and community organizations are coming together to find effective strategies to tackle this crisis. Resources like SAMHSA offer support and information, and individuals can take steps to educate themselves about this issue.

If you want to help someone struggling with a meth use disorder, approach them with compassion and listen to their concerns. Encourage them to explore available treatment options and consider joining a support group. Remember, change takes time; it may require many conversations before someone feels ready to seek help. For immediate assistance, contact SAMHSA's National Helpline listed below. Working together, we can create a more supportive environment for those affected by meth addiction. Recovery IS possible!

Need Help?

Many people who could benefit from treatment do not know they have an addiction or do not think treatment will work for them. However, with the right treatment plan, recovery is possible. If you, or someone you know, need help to stop using substances - whether the problem is methamphetamine, alcohol, or another drug - Call SAMHSA's National Helping at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or TTY: 1-800-487-4889, or text your zip code to 435748 (HELP4U) to get help.

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

Our Contact Information
*{{Organization Name}}*
*{{Organization Address}}*
*{{Organization Phone}}*
*{{Organization Website}}*

*{{Unsubscribe}}*

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Scott S. Lucas, President

Nancy Mann, MD, Secretary

John G. Murray, Treasurer

Kristin Hovencamp
Patsy Huntington
John S. Miller
Heather Parton
Kathryn Riedinger
Atty. Lee P. Ritzau
Andrew Rothermel
John Sofro
Sonja Uri

Sonya Wilander, SUDA
Executive Director