Sober Living Home Support

Sober living homes are houses available for those recovering from an addiction. After watching Zach persevere through treatment, recovery and intermittent relapses; we recognize the critical need to support individuals focused on sustaining their sobriety post treatment. Sober living homes are an important component of addiction treatment and the recovery process.  

Most of these homes are privately owned.  These homes generally offer a place for those in recovery often transitioning from inpatient detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation or outpatient programs.  Sober living homes provide an environment that is conducive to recovery as all residents are focused on maintaining sobriety.  Residents experience some structure such as curfews, accountability for household chores and routine drug testing.  

Zach benefitted from the development of a group of friends committed to sustaining their sobriety. He met several individuals who became close friends that he could rely on to cheer him on while he stayed clean and be there for him when he relapsed. We are so thankful to these friends who helped and made Zach’s life better during a very difficult time. We feel sure that Zach would want us to return the favor. We deliver a monthly care basket to sixteen local sober living homes every month.  Provided are treats, goodies, refreshments, games, puzzles and a whole host of other items that serve to inspire and support residents.  We attempt to incorporate holidays and special occasions.  

Zach would have turned 21 on October 18, 2021.  In his honor, we hosted a celebration for the recovery community complete with a taco truck, music and fun.  We have decided to make this an annual event.

Podcasts

Jim became enamored with the use of podcasts to share a combination of information and firsthand experience to reach out and help others. Talking about substance use, addiction, recovery, resources, etc. are a critical part of breaking the stigma of addiction. Jim designed and developed the podcast studio located in our home in early 2021.

• The Zachary Horton Foundation official podcast series is titled Zach’s Story: A Story of Love, Addiction, Loss, Grief & Recovery. 

  Listen to all available episodes here.

Other podcasts:

• Four podcasts created and produced by PAIN’s Don’t Hide the Scars titled:

  • “The Short Life of Zachary Horton” (3 part series: recorded on March 30, April 6, & April 13, 2020)

  • “Jim Horton Returns to Discuss his Work on the Zachary Horton Foundation” (recorded on September 14, 2020)

• Redefine Recovery by Keith McCann and Brandon Davison titled “The Other Side of the Story” (Episode 54 recorded on June 22, 2020)

Speaking Engagements

Jim and Lynn are available to speak to interested groups, schools, churches, recovery programs, etc.  Needless to say, opportunities have been scarce due to Covid-19 precautions which began shortly after Zach passed away.  They are also available to talk privately with those that are looking for support or resources.  

A few examples are noted below:

• Jim has spoken to Fresno State University classes focusing on grief at the request of Kathleen Cromwell, professor. Kathy shared very positive feedback from students in attendance.

• Jim spoke to the Redemption House (sober living home). He shared Zach’s story and discussed plans for the Foundation.

• Jim & Lynn spoke to an open meeting sponsored by My Time Recovery. They shared Zach’s story and participated in a great discussion with those on the call. Approximately 100 people were on the call and received a lot of great feedback.

• Jim has spoken to several community groups such as the Kiwanis Club and the Optimists Club sharing information about the foundation and its mission.

Break the Stigma Golf Tournament

The Foundation sponsored its first major fundraiser in April 2022. The golf tournament held at Copper River Country Club was well attended. We attracted several key sponsors and funds were raised to support our work throughout most of 2022. We are grateful to all who attended as well as our sponsors. This will be an annual event going forward.

Thank to our key sponsors for supporting this great event and our mission:

• My Time Recovery

• Private Wealth Advisors

• Freedman Law

• Rapport | Warrior Circle 1

• First Steps Recovery

• Sierra Meadows Behavioral Health

California Naloxone Distribution Project

The Zachary Horton Foundation is is an approved distributor of the California Naloxone (better known as Narcan) Distribution Project. This allows the Foundation to educate community members about the use of Narcan to aid in potentially reversing opioid overdoses. Narcan acts as an opioid antagonist that can literally be used to save a life from overdose. Narcan is provided free of charge and should be available in homes, schools, health care facilities, etc. throughout our community. Contact us if you would like to learn more or set up a training on Narcan use.

Social Media 

Board Member, Amy Berner launched our social media accounts to further support our Foundation’s mission. Our posts and campaigns aim to raise awareness of the disease of addiction, encourage our community to dive deeper into how it affects the circles around us, and inspire those affected by addiction.

Please follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

Special Events

Our Foundation participates in community events that support substance use, addiction, recovery awareness and education.  

• The Foundation participates in the annual Recovery Family Run sponsored by Total Life Change.

• Participation in the Fresno and Clovis Recovery Summit is another great event in which the Zachary Horton Foundation was included.

• We will host an annual event in honor of Zach’s birthday (October 18, 2000) every October. The party honors Zach but is truly about celebrating the recovery community.

• The Foundation hosted an appreciation dinner and roundtable with several treatment programs at the end of 2021. The intent of the dinner was to share our appreciation for their contributions to the community. In addition, we engaged in discussion about the gaps in services within the community in terms of substance use disorder treatment and recovery. The Foundation is invested in looking for opportunities in which we can make a difference. We will make this an annual event and plan to continue with these conversations throughout the year.