El Rancho De La Vida

03/14/2026

𝐀 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐲 𝐨𝐟 𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐞𝐦𝐩𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐰𝐞'𝐫𝐞 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐝 𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐞.

At 23 years old, Tom I. believed his life was over.

Sitting in a jail cell in Flint, Michigan, Tom faced the consequences of a drunken blackout that tragically took two innocent lives. Sentenced to 5–15 years in Jackson Prison, he believed his life was finished.

But inside those prison walls, Tom 𝐰𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐟𝐢𝐫𝐬𝐭 𝐦𝐞𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐨𝐟 𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐨𝐡𝐨𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐬 𝐀𝐧𝐨𝐧𝐲𝐦𝐨𝐮𝐬.

There he found a sponsor, the Twelve Steps, and a spiritual awakening that changed everything.

Tom got sober on February 2, 1957.

After his release, Tom dedicated his life to helping other alcoholics — especially those still incarcerated. Over the next 39 years, he rose through the ranks of the North Carolina prison system until he eventually became a prison warden, helping thousands discover recovery and a new way to live.

𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐭… 𝐭𝐨 𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐞𝐧… to a man whose message of recovery helped countless people.

Tom I. of Southern Pines, NC passed away on September 2, 2022, just weeks before his 90th birthday, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of service and hope.

Today we are honored to share something special.

With the permission of Tom’s family and close friends, Recovery Speakers has been entrusted with a collection of Tom I.’s recordings.

Beginning this week we are launching:

𝐓𝐨𝐦 𝐈. 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲𝐬

𝐄𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐮𝐫𝐬𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝐰𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐨𝐦’𝐬 𝐭𝐚𝐥𝐤𝐬 𝐬𝐨 𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐮𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐥𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐩𝐞𝐨𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐟𝐨𝐫 𝐠𝐞𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐞.

🎙 Listen to the collection as they are released here:
https://youtube.com/

And subscribe to our YouTube channel to hear future releases.

No one is beyond redemption.

03/14/2026

We are a member of National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers NAATP

03/14/2026

The Family Restored offers a 4-week intensive workshop designed to help family members learn the 12 Steps to find their own recovery while navigating the challenges that come with a loved one’s addiction. Guided by people in recovery, participants will be introduced to the 12 Steps through the Book of Alcoholics Anonymous and begin their own step work.

We believe in the power of the 12 Steps to help family members re-focus on their own growth and recovery—helping break unhealthy patterns, regain balance, and find hope, strength, and peace. No prior experience or specific beliefs are required—only a willingness to try.

💚 Register here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdVImQhzrCC8VfQMoJP_-QUvobybvUrTwhHjzaI4-DSEVYgGA/viewform?usp=dialog

03/14/2026

Bill W. Documentary

A moving documentary on the founder of Alcoholics Anonymous and his quest for conscious contact with a higher power.

03/14/2026

Kathy and I - and all Staff and Residents from El Rancho De La Vida - Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence and all of our El Rancho de la Vida Alumni wish our newest staff member and El Rancho de la Vida Alumni -Nicholas W., a Very Happy Birthday!

03/14/2026

This Monday evening - Eat at Joe's Flat Iron Café

March 16th will be another community dinner! We will be serving meatloaf. Dinner will start at 6 pm. If you are interested in volunteering, please arrive at 5:30pm

03/11/2026

El Rancho De La Vida residents and all staff want to wish Shane congratulations for completing and graduating our 6 month SUD program. Congratulations to Shane and good luck at Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence as you are a El Rancho de la Vida Alumni now.

03/08/2026

Very cool

Embrace your journey with our 1 to 65 Year Sobriety Mint Winding River Gold Plated AA
Medallion. This beautifully crafted medallion symbolizes the path of recovery with its
flowing river, mountains, and sun, representing cleansing, growth, and renewal. Available
for milestones from 24 hours to 65 years, each touchable detail serves as a reminder of
your achievements. Let this medallion guide you towards a new and wonderful world.

03/07/2026

A great evening for our staff and residents El Rancho De La Vida and El Rancho de la Vida Alumni Page and Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence to go out Bowling!
Thank you Doug and Nick and Central Maine Family Fun in Skowhegan for hosting us!

03/07/2026

A great evening for our staff and residents Rancho De La Vida and El Rancho de la Vida Alumni Page and Shiller Ranch Recovery Residence to go out Bowling!
Thank you Doug and Nick and Central Maine Family Fun Bowling for hosting us!

03/04/2026

https://journey-magazine.com/recovering-at-el-rancho-de-la-vida/

Livin’ La Vida Loca to Recovering at El Rancho de la Vida Many of us have heard the saying “it takes a village to raise a child.” It also takes a village to support and encourage someone who is on the early path to recovery from alcohol and other substances. This idea is the