Building Community, Enhancing Recovery.
Creating a happier life.
The Happier Life
A recovery community organization
The Happier Life Project is a Recovery Community Organization that shifts perspective, reduces stigma, and provides hope around recovery. Our foundation of peer-to-peer relationships lets us meet people on their chosen pathway of healing and support them in discovering the answers to their wellness.
Combining evidence-based practices with a holistic approach,
We connect our peers to a reliable network of services and share our lived experience that recovery is possible and everyone can achieve a happier life.
Why are we here?
The Challenge
5.1 million
87%
23%
32%
Our solution
Peer-Based Recovery Support
Our foundation of peer-to-peer relationships lets us meet people on their chosen pathway to recovery. Combining evidence-based practices with a holistic approach, we connect our peers to a reliable network of services and share our lived experience that recovery is possible and that everyone can achieve a happier life.
Our Peer Support Services
- Peer Recovery Support Services
- Multiple Recovery Pathway Support Groups
- Harm Reduction/Narcan Distribution & Training
- Re-entry & Reintegration Programs
- Family Support
- Recovery Community Resource Linkage
- Recovery Education & Training
- Workforce & Life Skills Development Programs
- Recovery Advocacy
our mission
Everyone can achieve a happier life
The Happier Life Project is a Recovery Community Organization that shifts perspective, reduces stigma, and provides peer-based recovery support services. Though community outreach, education, and advocacy, we are making long-term recovery accessible to all.
The Happier Life Project Trajectory
four phases
Establish Recovery Community Organization Providing Peer-based Recovery Services
Partner with local organizations to ensure recovery resource equity for all marginalized groups
Become a voice for the recovery movement to inspire change in the community and influence policy change
Local Recovery Community Organization
peer support
What Is Peer Support?
A peer-support specialist is a person with personal lived experience in recovery from substance use or a mental health issues or challenges who provides non-clinical support services to individuals experiencing the negative effects of substance use.
Meet Our Board Members
Carolina Ayala
FOUNDER / EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Leah Shirley-Seykoski
CHAIR
Madeline Hodges
TREASURER
Pattie Vargas
SECRETARY
Recovery Community Organization
What is RCO?
(RCO) is an independent, non-profit organization led and governed by representatives of local communities of recovery. These organizations organize recovery-focused policy advocacy activities, carry out recovery-focused community education and outreach programs, and/or provide peer-based recovery support services (P-BRSS). (Valentine, White, & Taylor, 2007).
Your Words Matter
Help Us Fight Stigma
The Happier Life Project is the first RCO in Riverside County and plans to lead the state as a voice for the entire nation.
Recovery capital
What is recovery capital?
It is the internal and external resources an individual can access to initiate and maintain recovery.
Latest Recovery News
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A study conducted in two rural Massachusetts jails found that people with…
New York City will install 10 vending machines that dispense Naloxone and clean needles to help fight the opioid crisis
Source: businessinsider.com New York City health officials are launching a pilot program…
Senator Wiener’s Legislation To Legalize Overdose Prevention Programs — Also Known As Safe Consumption Sites — Passes Assembly Health Committee
SACRAMENTO – Senate Bill 57, authored by Senator Scott Wiener (D-San Francisco), has…
Alyssa Murray, the administrative assistant at The Happier Life Project works in the background helping The Happier Life Project run smoothly. Alyssa has had both personal and professional experience working with the recovery community which provides her with a unique ability to empathize and connect with those who are affected by addiction as well as mental health conditions.
Carolina Ayala, the founder and executive director of The Happier Life Project leads the organization as a trauma-informed certified peer coach, facilitator, and advocate for the recovery community in Riverside County. Carolina’s unique approach combines her years of business administration experience with her direct experience as a justice-involved woman in long-term recovery.
A founding board member with lived experience. As an early team member of Happier Life Project, Madeline is devoted to reducing stigma around Substance Use Disorder and Mental Health Disorders and helping connect people in need to resources. While pursuing a degree in Psychology, she is a Certified Mindfulness Meditation teacher and is constantly exploring the intersection of nature and therapy though studying family constellation therapy, equine therapy, sustainable living practices, and permaculture. Madelina Collective is a network of women around the world who collaborate with the shared goal of bringing change, inspiration, and perspective to the world through art and innovation. She is actively engaged in fostering creativity and connection amongst women from diverse backgrounds in an effort to be a light for other seekers.
Leah is first and foremost a relationship builder who recognizes the significance of working in a collaborative and welcoming environment.