Gray Wolf Ranch in Washington state helps young men recover from substance use by emphasizing community service as part of the recovery process, the Port Townsend & Jefferson County Leader reported on July 12.

Gray Wolf and its volunteer community service program began in 1997 'as a way for the guys to give something back, and out of a desire to build a strong, positive relationship between the ranch and the Port Townsend community,' said Director Peter Boeschenstein.

'The ranch has a 12-step philosophy of recovery, and one of the steps is to focus on others as a way to work on sobriety,' said Gray Wolf Program Director Woody Bernas. 'The nature of addiction is to be self-centered, and the antidote is to reach out and focus on other people's needs. Volunteering in the community is one way to make a contribution.'

About 100 males, ages 14 to 25, come to Gray Wolf annually, staying for 4 to 6 months each.

Residents serve individuals and small businesses throughout the community by performing such jobs as landscaping, lawn mowing, trash removal, moving and painting.

Some residents can take paid positions, saving their earnings in an account that they can access upon completing the program.

Gray Wolf has a long-standing relationship with Grant Street Elementary School, which regularly provides work for the recovering volunteers.

'The [Gray Wolf residents] bridge a really critical gap for some of our kids,' said Principal Steve Finch. 'We've had such a long track record with these boys that I'm able to say, with confidence, that they really help us.'