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Milestone Moments: Recovery in Action
Recovery Month is a time to recognize that recovery looks different for everyone, and that every step forward is worth celebrating. This month, our mentees have given us plenty to celebrate. One mentee was approved for an apartment and received assistance through OTS, creating a new foundation for stability and independence. Another found a better job, while another stepped into a new role as a manager. Two mentees reached important milestones in their recovery journeys by graduating from IOP and SUD programming, and another celebrated having their children move back home. Three mentees completed Peer Recovery Specialist (PRS) classes, continuing to build the skills and knowledge needed for their next chapters.
Perhaps one of the most meaningful milestones was mentee sharing their story with the WNL Board for the first time. Sharing your story takes courage, and having the opportunity to reflect on how far you've come can be a powerful part of recovery. These milestones remind us that recovery isn't one single destination: it's a collection of steps, choices, challenges and victories. We're proud to walk alongside our mentees as they continue taking those steps and building lives filled with new opportunities, stronger relationships and hope for the future.
We had a great time at Recovery Palooza! 💚
Hosted by FOCUS, Recovery Palooza brought our community together for a day of connection, celebration, and recognizing the courage and commitment it takes to choose recovery. We were proud to be there sharing about Welcome to a New Life and how our mentors walk alongside individuals involved in the criminal justice system as they work toward crime-free, drug-free, productive lives.
We especially loved spending the day with our mentees and celebrating the progress they’ve made. Every step toward recovery is a step toward a different future—and when someone has a mentor in their corner, they don’t have to take those steps alone.
Events like Recovery Palooza remind us why connection matters. A second chance can change one life, but the impact can ripple through families, relationships, and the entire community.
We were so excited to have our friend Salvador stop by the WNL office and introduce us to his beautiful baby girl! 💕 Moments like this remind us that the ripple effect of positive change reaches beyond one person, touching families and the next generation.
Staff Spotlight: Alyssa
Alyssa has been part of the WNL team for more than three years, and we’re so grateful for all she brings to our organization and the people we serve.
One of Alyssa’s favorite parts of her role is getting to interact with everyone who walks through WNL’s doors. She’s also especially proud of growing our Motivational Monday program into some of the Ohio prisons. What started with 8 mentees three years ago has grown to 51 mentees and friends receiving weekly encouragement.
Outside of WNL, Alyssa enjoys nature walks, sitting on the beach, reading, and spending time with her family.
We’re thankful to have Alyssa on our team! 💚
The Empty Seat Beside Me has been making its way around our community, and this month, it found even more places to spark conversations about mentoring and second chances.
From The Fern Cafe and Owens Community College to the Children’s Museum of Findlay and the Geary Family YMCA in Fostoria, the Empty Seat continued its journey throughout Hancock County and beyond. It also made stops at Awakening Minds Art, Oh Happy Rea The Plant Shop, Main Street Deli & Arcade, NAMI Hancock County, Tony’s Restaurant, and Java’s Enchanted Bean in Fostoria.
We’re grateful to each of these local organizations and businesses for welcoming the Empty Seat and helping us keep the conversation going.
Good coffee, good conversation, and an even better group of people at The Baker's Cafe'! Thank you to our incredible mentors for the time, compassion, and support you give to the people we serve. We’re so grateful to have you on the WNL team!
Interested in becoming a mentor? Contact Jayme at mentors@welcometoanewlife.org or visit our website to learn about what it means to be a mentor with Welcome to a New Life!
We’re grateful to Kari Taylor from Mission of Hope for leading a recent training session for our team and mentors! We explored ways to navigate anger and disappointment, recognize and respond to emotional needs, have healthy conversations around frustration, and provide compassionate support through grief and loss.
Thank you to Retired Sheriff Michael Heldman, and Ryan Kidwell, Retired Jail Administrator, for joining us and sharing their experience and insight with our mentors. We appreciate everyone who continues to invest their time & knowledge in helping our mentors make a difference in the lives of those we serve!
We’re grateful to have joined our community for recent Overdose Awareness events at Dorney Plaza and Riverside Park. These gatherings give us an opportunity to remember those we’ve lost, stand alongside those affected by substance use, and come together with hope for recovery and healing.
We had a fantastic day at the Marathon Petroleum Corporation Non-Profit Community Fair! It was wonderful to have some of our board members, staff, and mentors share their experiences and talk with their colleagues about the impact of mentorship and second chances.
We had so much fun spending time at the Children's Museum of Findlay as part of a recent collaboration! We’re grateful for opportunities to connect with community partners, learn together, and build relationships that strengthen the support we can provide to those we serve. We’re always excited to see where these connections take us!
Our team was so excited to see The Empty Seat Beside Me inspiring creativity and connection! Thank you to Awakening Minds Art for their collaboration and inviting our mentees/mentors in bringing “A Seat for You” to life. This piece beautifully captures the spirit of mentorship and the belief that everyone deserves someone beside them as they work toward a new life.
This chair will be auctioned off during AMA's live auction on October 10.
Want to learn more about WNL? If you are interested in scheduling a time for the WNL team to come present to a group you belong to, please reach-out to us at www.welcometoanewlife.org or by calling 419-455-6082.
Mentor Network Coordinator Jayme was able to speak to the members of Fostoria Church of God to share the mission of WNL! Thank you to the congregation for welcoming us in!
We had a great time connecting with the Fostoria community at the Fall Festival!
Did you know you can fundraise for WNL while you do your grocery shopping at Kroger? Through your Kroger app, you can search for Welcome to a New Life in the Community Rewards - once you tap enroll, each purchase you make using your Kroger card will benefit WNL!
Did you know?
Some companies offer Donation Matching - an easy way to double your impact! Speak to your employer or reach out to WNL for more information!
Click the button below to set up a recurring donation of any amount to Welcome to a New Life!
