Last Wednesday, the Social Gaming Leadership Alliance announced a $10,000 donation to the Second Story Foundation to support the development of 2nd Story Ranch, a 68-acre recovery community in Crete, Illinois, which helps people recovering from substance use disorder build stable, independent lives through housing, meaningful work, peer support and community.
Located on a former harness racing training facility, 2nd Story Ranch provides people who have completed treatment with long-term housing and the opportunity to live and work on a working horse farm, where caring for horses and the property is meant to provide daily structure, responsibility, and meaningful work as they continue their recovery.
Ostrow: Supporting 2nd Story Ranch was no-brainer
“Almost everyone has a connection to someone whose life has been impacted by addiction or substance abuse,” Sean J. Ostrow, Executive Director of SGLA, told Sweepsy. “When we heard about the great work Second Story Ranch is doing and its ambitious plans to further expand its reach, we were struck by their earnest dedication to helping people along their recovery journeys. Supporting that mission and making this contribution was a no-brainer for SGLA.
“Second Story Ranch is taking an innovative and deeply practical approach to a challenge that affects families and communities across Illinois and the country. By bringing together Illinois' rich harness racing tradition with stable housing, meaningful work, and a strong recovery community, the Ranch is creating an environment where people can build the skills, stability and confidence to move forward. SGLA is proud to contribute $10,000 to support that mission and an organization making a real difference in Illinois."
The Second Story Foundation focuses on a critical period in the recovery process, what happens after an individual completes treatment. People leaving treatment can face immediate challenges in finding stable housing, employment, and the support systems necessary to sustain their recovery.
Second Story works to address those challenges through recovery housing, workforce development, and community-based support. The program provides housing free of charge and allows residents to stay as long as needed. The program is already operational, and groundbreaking on the first phase of construction that will provide significant expansion is anticipated this fall.
"The 2nd Story Ranch Recovery Home and Jobs Program is being built around horses, hard work and people showing up every day to take responsibility for something that depends on them," said Jim O'Connor, CADC, founder and executive director of the Second Story Foundation. "Those same things have real value in recovery. At 2nd Story Ranch, people will have a stable place to live, meaningful work to do and the time they need to rebuild their lives and return to the workforce. SGLA's contribution supports that work, and we're grateful to have them behind what we're building."
MODO supporting veterans with K9s For Warriors
SGLA and their member companies plan to continue supporting communities in various areas of need.
“Our members already have a strong track record of giving back,” Ostrow said. “This includes Modo (operated by ARB Interactive), which is in its third consecutive year of supporting veterans through its work with K9s For Warriors. ARB has donated over $300,000 to the organization, sponsoring six service dogs to date, with a seventh dog and an additional $50,000 donation arriving this Veterans Day. ARB has also amplified the cause on a national stage by featuring K9s For Warriors on its NASCAR paint scheme at the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day. VGW has provided significant support for cancer research, prevention and early detection as part of its long-standing corporate philanthropic activities across several charities and communities.”
Ostrow said SGLA is proud to build on those efforts and will continue looking for meaningful opportunities to support their local communities.