"Addiction and recovery have shaped my entire life. I’ve faced many difficult experiences and the loss of relationships I thought would always be there. It was hard to see a way out until I realized I was responsible for my own decisions. With the help of Narcotics Anonymous, Recovery Services Unlimited, and support from Heather and Dawn at SAC, I was able to rebuild my foundation and create real connections. Today, I’ve rebuilt my family relationships and built a better quality of life in recovery. SAC has played a big role in organizing and connecting our community, giving people in recovery a voice and a chance to partner toward a better quality of life. My message to anyone struggling is simple: keep showing up. No matter how you feel, keep showing up for yourself—the discipline of doing that will pay off down the road."

"The whole mission of prevention is to provide resources to the community and underserved groups, and SAC’s programs are entirely in step with that. Their work is evidence-based, curriculum-based, and community-based, built through partnerships that strengthen the harm-reduction community. Prevention is impactful—it’s much more effective to prevent something from happening than to manage the consequences after. I’ve seen the significant impact of prevention, even though it can be hard to measure what didn’t happen—the lives saved, the people who didn’t develop a substance use disorder. SAC does an excellent job of capitalizing on the multiple dimensions of prevention and responding to what happens in the community in a positive, constructive way. Prevention is that voice of hope that brings people together for a shared purpose and creates awareness of what can be done.”

"Through my work as a probation case manager in Sobriety Treatment Court, I’ve seen firsthand how deeply addiction affects individuals and how powerful recovery can be. When people focus on their health and realize they have others in their corner, they no longer feel so isolated, and life becomes clearer and better. Community support—whether from recovery coaches, therapists, or recovery groups like AA and NA—plays a huge role by connecting people with others who are living proof of what recovery can offer. SAC has strengthened that support by bringing people together through events like the Recovery Walk and providing educational programs like Prime For Life that benefit both youth and adults. Seeing how recovery changes lives and knowing how many people in our community are willing to help gives me real hope as we continue addressing substance use through prevention, treatment, and recovery."

"My recovery has meant everything to me. Being involved in the recovery community—from starting Recovery Services Unlimited to serving on the Alano Club Board—has helped me find the sense of connection I once struggled to feel. A big barrier early on was finding a community where I truly belonged, and immersing myself in recovery organizations and the Twelve-Step Fellowship made all the difference. Connecting with SAC through ROSC and the Recovery Walk helped me learn about local resources, build relationships, and share that information with the people I work with. The Recovery Walk is a huge source of pride for those of us in recovery—it’s a beautiful thing to be surrounded by such a large group all working on their own journey. SAC has created a space where providers and community members can come together rather than stay siloed, and that connection strengthens all of us. If someone is struggling, the message I want them to hear is simple: recovery is possible."

"At the SHARE Center, many of our staff have lived experience, including a peer recovery coach who shows clients what’s possible in their own recovery. Community support is significant, especially when so many systemic issues—like lack of affordable housing—create gaps in the safety net. SAC has helped shift the narrative around addiction and its relationship to trauma. Their work with NARCAN is especially powerful; I’ve seen lives saved because of it, and there’s truly no way to measure the full impact. What gives me hope is how well our recovery community works together, sharing resources and supporting one another, and SAC plays a major role in making that connection possible."

“Alcoholism runs in my family, and for a long time I didn’t believe it applied to me. Going to rehab and getting sober changed everything. One of my biggest challenges has been learning to forgive myself—something that never came as easily as forgiving others.

In early recovery, AA meetings and my family were huge supports, and staying busy helped keep me grounded and sober. I first connected with SAC when I was invited to join the Recovery Walk Committee, and I’m so grateful I got involved. Without SAC, our community would lose a major source of information and support for people seeking help. Their reach makes resources more visible and accessible for anyone who needs them.

For anyone who’s struggling, I want them to know there is hope. Seeing others in recovery can remind you that there’s a better way to live and a future worth fighting for.”

“I first connected with SAC at a student conference when I was 15. It had such a powerful impact on me that I joined their youth council and stayed involved until I was old enough to join the Board. SAC’s mission is personal to me—my father struggled with addiction, and as a kid I didn’t have anyone to talk to. SAC gave me a sense of belonging and understanding, and I’ve wanted to help offer that same support to other young people ever since.

Prevention work is vital because substance use affects every part of a community—mental health, stability, and our ability to grow and thrive. The challenge is that prevention is hard to measure, which makes funding and policy support more difficult to secure. But its impact is undeniable.

Without SAC, our community would lose its only prevention-focused organization. We’d see more overdoses, more arrests, and fewer safe spaces for kids who need to know they’re not alone and that they don’t have to turn to drugs. SAC fills a role no one else does—and our community is stronger because of it.”

“I’ve been in recovery for 33 years, and recovery is a big part of my family’s story. Through the Alano Club and years of working alongside SAC, I’ve seen firsthand how many lives recovery can transform — including my own.

Community support is everything. Without places like the Alano Club or SAC, people have far fewer chances to find connection and shed the stigma around addiction. Most people only see the struggles, not the millions living in recovery, and SAC helps change that narrative.

SAC also opened my eyes to the importance of prevention and harm reduction. Coming from a 12-step background, I didn’t fully understand how vital early education and support are until I saw SAC’s work in schools and with people questioning their use. If SAC weren’t here, our community would lose a major source of partnership, education, and hope. What keeps me hopeful is seeing people maintain long-term recovery and knowing resources like SAC are there to help others do the same.”