It’s summertime, and that means s’mores, adventure, and summer camp! Sierra Nevada Journeys is a nonprofit that provides summer programming for kids, particularly the underserved children in our community. But this year they’re also holding a Grown Up Getaway Camp, packed full of camp nostalgia and adventure. Get all the inside info on the great outdoors at Sierra Nevada Journeys! 

We owe veterans for our freedom and safety, but so many come home from duty with trauma that leads them to substance abuse and legal trouble. Chief Justice Lynne Jones and veteran Jessica Greer share their insights into how Veterans Treatment Court can give back to those who have already given so much for their country.

In May we celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Jan Evans Juvenile Justice Center. But who was Jan Evans? What role did she play in rethinking how we detain and rehabilitate juvenile offenders?  

We know that music can make us happy, sad, hopeful, or energized. It can flood us with memories and inspire us to dance and sing. Note-Able Music Therapy Services harnesses the power of music to bring therapy to the traumatized, return memory to those battling dementia, and spur movement in those with limited mobility. 

Hunter Weiss was only 20 when he tragically passed away, but he had already decided to be an organ and tissue donor. His mom shares the story of his gift of sight through cornea donation as we celebrate National Donate Life Month in April. Register to be a donor at www.nvdonor.org/washoe.  

There are more than 600 youth in foster care in Washoe County, but only about 250 foster families to take them. This is Mariah’s story, a young woman who spent most of her childhood and teen years in foster care and is now building a new life for herself and her own children. It only takes one caring and willing adult to change a life. Listen and learn how you can help.  

Restaurant inspectors play an important role in keeping us safe and healthy. We’re joined by two inspectors with Northern Nevada Public Health to talk about what they look for in restaurant kitchens, what health ratings mean, why food safety is so important, and how we can adopt safe food handling practices at home. And yes, they still go out to eat, just very carefully.  

In this Part 2 of our conversation about Washoe County’s Specialty Courts, we talk with Judge Scott Pearson and Probation Officer Mark Wickman about the legal and law enforcement sides of addiction, recovery and rehabilitation. Learn how drug court has evolved to provide a support system for those who need it most, how it can be a liability to others, and how Judge Pearson navigates the difference.

Michael Laird was no stranger to getting clean. And then relapsing. Then getting clean again. It wasn’t until a judge believed in him and ordered him into a Specialty Court that he found the framework to rebuild his life. Michael and his mom, Angela, share their story of second chances and a saved life.  

Drug use disorder has taken a particularly dark turn with the rise of fentanyl in Washoe County and across the country. Life Change Center Executive Director John Firestone brings the issue to light and discusses how we, as a community, can save lives through treatment and prevention.