As in the past, this year, instead of exchanging gifts, my charity selection is to support The Phoenix, a national sober-active community that has helped more than 1 million people find hope, human connection, and a path to recovery and sobriety. (And spoiler alert: Katie is their head of Marketing).
Right now, more than 48 million Americans are living with a substance use disorder, and 1 in 3 people in our country face either a substance use or mental-health challenge. The Phoenix addresses both — offering fitness, mindfulness, arts, social events, and a powerful sense of belonging that helps people heal together rather than struggle alone - and the only cost to participate is 48 hours of sobriety.
The Phoenix model works: members report dramatically higher well-being and meaning in life, and more than 80% of participants stay sober within the first 3 months of joining. Most powerfully, the program is community-led — volunteers are now running thousands of activities across the country, creating a snowball effect of people helping people.
If you want to see what this movement looks like, watch the trailer for SOBER, a new documentary about the lives transformed through The Phoenix.
SOBER Trailer: https://www.soberfilm.com
And here are a couple of short Phoenix stories that bring the mission to life:
The Phoenix YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@riserecoverlive
