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STORY AND PHOTOS BY KAREN BOSSICK The Men’s Second Chance Living has a new coat of paint, thanks to employees at Zions Bank. Employees shut the cash register and headed over to the former counseling office on the outskirts of Hailey’s downtown over three nights in June to stage their 29th annual Paint-a-Thon More than 3,000 Zions Bank employees in Idaho and Utah hold a Paint-a-Thon every year to beautify homes for seniors, disabled and veterans.
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Sonya Wilander is grateful for the work of the bank employees.
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This particular year, Zions Bank employees seized the opportunity to help spruce up a nonprofit substance-free, affordable transitional home to support the recovery of men who are being given a second chance following drug and other offences. Nearly two-thirds of all drug user relapses take place within the first six months of the recovery process. The Men’s Second Chance Living provides group counseling, assigned responsibilities and other structure to mitigate the chance for relapse. Sonya Wilander, who has worked with the Blaine County Adult Drug Court, spearheaded the establishment of the home, which was outfitted with IKEA furniture paid for by a $9,500 check from 100 Men Who Care. “This is fantastic because we were thinking that this house needed work but taking care of the men was our first priority,” she said as she watched several women work on the century-old home with its gingerbread trim.
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Morgan Timoney helped paint the porch, which was not all that easy to do given the narrow slats.
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The home has served 12 men since opening in November 2018. Seven are currently staying at the safe and sober house. “We’re trying our best to get them their driver’s licenses, better jobs, improve the way they dress, the way they feel about themselves,” said John Inman, the house manager. Zions Bank’s Paint-a-Thon was launched in 1991 for a dozen homes across Utah’s Wasatch Front. Since, employees have painted 1,181 homes throughout Idaho and Utah. Not counting the dollar value of volunteer hours, the bank has donated more than $1.3 million towards beautifying homes. Founded in 1873, Zions Bank operates 23 full-service branches in Idaho and 98 in Utah and Wyoming.
“This is our 10th year doing projects locally, said Jeffra Syms. “It’s just a way to give back to the community.”
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