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SALT LAKE CITY — Motorcyclists will take to the road Saturday to help former inmates struggling with addiction.
The “Free At Last” benefit ride was designed to benefit men recently released from jail for substance related offenses. It is being hosted by MentorWorks, an organization that runs a sober-living group home with mentors to help the men recover from addiction when they return to mainstream life.
“What is interesting is we meet a lot of people who are in prison and jail who are very motivated and want to get their act together and get out and get on the right path,” said organization founder Joseph White. “But when they get out they don’t have many options, so they end up back wherever they’re from and hang out with the same friends in the same environment. The result is pretty predictable.”
The Salt Lake County Jail has a 72 percent recidivism rate after one year, he said. The MentorWorks program aims to reduce that number by providing a sober place for the men to live and mentors to help them find a job and reconnect with family.
The program has a 17 percent recidivism rate after one year for those who stick to the program for the three months they are asked to commit to, according to White.
When they get out they don't have many options, so they end up back wherever they're from and hang out with the same friends in the same environment. The result is pretty predictable.
–Joseph White, MentorWorks founder
“Our program is based on agency and love,” he said. “They are free to choose and do whatever they want — maybe guys will choose to use and they go back out and get in trouble and go back to jail — but if they are serious and they commit to (the program), they do well.”
A federal second chance grant from the Department of Justice helps to cover MentorWorks costs, but White said it doesn’t take care of housing for the men. He said the funds raised* by the benefit ride will be used to provide housing scholarships for men who need it in their first few weeks out of jail.
Registration for the ride starts at 8 a.m. at the Intermountain Harley Davidson in Salt Lake City, located at 2928 S. State Street. The race will begin at 9:45 a.m. after a pancake breakfast and travel past the Salt Lake County Jail on the way to the Brighton Ski Resort.
The ride will end in Salt Lake City and be followed by a silent auction, raffle and lunch. Wristbands for the event cost $20 per driver and $5 per passenger.
White said the organization is always looking for people to become a mentor or support the program. Those who are interested can contact MentorWorks by emailing info@mentorworks.info or going to the organization’s website.
Sobriety can benefit everyone, White said. He said his organization has a special focus on helping men reconnect with their families and become the responsible, engaged father they can be.
“I got sober a long time ago — 30 years ago — so this program is a chance for me to give back and help people find true sobriety,” White said. “My phrase is that true sobriety is a gift — it is a gift we can give to ourselves, our family and our community. When we have true sobriety we’re much more able to hold a job and be a better father.”
