March 4, 2026
9:30am-3pm
University of Wisconsin Oshkosh Culver Family Welcome Center
625 Pearl Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901
The 2026 We Heart You: Recovery in Our Community event focused on bridging the recovery community with the broader community to break the silence, reduce stigma, and save lives. In light of federal funding cuts and the uncertain future for many local programs, we saw this as a powerful opportunity to return to our roots and uplift the inspiring stories of recovery happening right here in our own backyard. The event featured a mix of local and statewide voices whose lived experiences and professional expertise inspired, educated, and united those in attendance. This approach honored the incredible work being done within our own community, strengthened our connections, and celebrated the resilience that defines us. By focusing on the assets we already had, we moved forward together with renewed purpose and pride. Through these efforts, we worked to stop the shame and stigma around addiction, which have contributed to increased substance use and overdose deaths. The support we received helped us continue building a community where recovery is celebrated, stigma is replaced with understanding, and lives are saved.
Thank you to our sponsors for making this event possible:
Lead Sponsors: Nova Counseling and JEK Foundation
Champion Sponsors: Vital Strategies, Konrad-Behlman Funeral Homes, Breakwater, Rogers Behavioral Health, ThedaCare, Fox Valley - HERC, and Support Provided by the Medical Staff at Aurora Medical Center Oshkosh/FDL, and the Overdose Response Network
Community Sponsors: Apricity, Recovery.com, Govani Gives, Oshkosh Area Community Foundation, Wisconsin Wellness, Mirrorless Productions, Ascension, Collaborative Wellness, Solutions Recovery, and Winnebago County Human Services
For any questions about the event email Jennifer at jskolaski@winnebagocountywi.gov
The Secret Sauce: Five Secret Ingredients For Helping Clients Sustain Substance Use Recovery Long Term
Mark Sanders, LCSW, CADC is an international speaker and consultant in behavioral health whose presentations have reached thousands throughout the United States, Europe, Canada, West Indies and Guam. He is the recipient of four lifetime achievement awards including the prestigious NAADAC Enlightenment Award. He was one of three finalists for the National Association for Addiction Professionals 50th Anniversary Legends Award. Mark is also the recipient of the Illinois Certification Board's Professional of the Year Award, The Illinois Certification Board, Jessica Hayes Lifetime Achievement Award and The Barbara Bacon Award for outstanding contributions to the social work profession as a Loyola University of Chicago alumni.
Mark is the author of five books on behavioral health recovery. Recent writings include: Slipping Through the Cracks: Intervention Strategies For Clients With Multiple Addictions Disorders and Relationship Detox: A Counselors Guide To Helping Clients Develop Healthy Relationships In Recovery. He was lead writer on a trauma informed gun violence prevention curriculum which is being implemented in several large cities in the United States. His groundbreaking monograph Recovery Management co-authored with historians William White and Earnest Kurtz helped shift addictions treatment and recovery from the acute care model solely towards a Recovery Oriented System of Care. Mark has had two stories published in the New York Times bestselling book series, Chicken Soup for The Soul.
Mark has also had a 30 year career as a university educator having taught at The University of Chicago, Loyola University of Chicago and Illinois State University School's of Social Work. He is co-founder of Serenity Academy Chicago, a program which sponsors recovery-oriented peer groups in local high schools.
Keynote: Mark Sanders
Emcee: Tom Farley
Tom Farley grew up in Madison, WI, and graduated from Georgetown University with a degree in Marketing. He began his career in banking and finance before running The Chris Farley Foundation (1999–2012), a nationally recognized nonprofit focused on substance abuse prevention. Through humor-based programs, he helped young people build communication skills and create supportive environments.
In 2008, Tom co-authored The Chris Farley Show, a New York Times bestseller about his late brother, comedian Chris Farley. He has appeared on The Today Show, Good Morning America, and Larry King Live to discuss addiction and recovery.
Now in recovery himself, Tom is a passionate advocate for mental health and addiction treatment. He works at Recovery.com, connecting people with the resources they need to heal. As a speaker, he shares his journey to break stigma, inspire hope, and foster connection. Tom lives in Madison, WI.
The event included Breakout Sessions on:
Families in Recovery: Challenges, Strengths, and Community Voices.
This breakout session explored the unique experiences of parenting while in recovery, highlighting both the challenges and the strengths that come with rebuilding family connections and navigating community systems. Building on the 2023 Winnebago County Health Department’s community conversations with parents in recovery, the session shared key findings from those discussions, including common barriers, local gaps in support, and what parents envisioned for a more recovery-friendly community.
Drug Trends and Awareness in Northeast Wisconsin: A Community Wake-Up Call.
Jerimiah Winscher delivered an insightful and powerful presentation on current drug trends and awareness across Northeast Wisconsin. His session highlighted the evolving landscape of substance use in our region and offered data-driven insights on emerging substances, local overdose patterns, and the community impact of shifting drug availability.
With a focus on prevention and early intervention, Jerimiah emphasized the importance of collaboration among public health, law enforcement, treatment providers, and community partners. Attendees left better informed and motivated to take actionable steps toward saving lives and supporting recovery in their communities.
Beyond Drugs and Alcohol: Understanding Cross Addictions.
Addiction extended far beyond substances, touching many aspects of modern life. This session, Beyond Drugs and Alcohol: Understanding Cross Addictions, explored the growing prevalence of behavioral addictions such as gambling, digital and technology dependence, eating-related disorders, and other compulsive behaviors that often went unnoticed.
Participants gained insight into how these addictions developed, their connections to mental health and substance use, and why they were often under-discussed, under-assessed, and under-diagnosed in behavioral health and medical settings. The session highlighted practical screening tools, warning signs, and strategies for providers, families, and communities to better identify and support individuals struggling with cross-addictions, ultimately promoting a more holistic understanding of recovery and wellness.
