Lynn Zielasko Unfiltered — Episode 6: Stuffing Envelopes to Saving Lives with Eric Velez

In this episode of Unfiltered and Dare to Level Up, host Lynn sits down with E. V. to discuss his journey through a decade of heroin addiction, incarceration, and his path to over ten years of sustained recovery. Moving from Wisconsin to Washington for a fresh start, E. V. shares how he progressed from entry-level employment to working as a counselor, recovery technician, and drug court coordinator.   The conversation reframes recovery as the active pursuit of a self-directed life—focusing on personal milestones like education and homeownership rather than just abstinence. E. V. highlights the limits of one-size-fits-all programs, emphasizing that real healing requires examining a person's unique environment, relationships, and routines after treatment.   Finally, the episode dives into the systemic side of addiction support, detailing the critical need for coalition building among housing, transportation, and healthcare providers. E. V. and Lynn stress the importance of using plain language instead of confusing jargon to help overwhelmed families navigate services, reinforcing that resilience and community support are the true keys to long-term success.   For more information, visit:  https://kennedysplace.org/