Community organization 517 Living (517Living.com) has been promoting goodness in the Greater Lansing (517) Michigan Area since 2014. Founded by Sarah Pierce, the website and social platform uses its ONE Calendar to build awareness of the Best Events happening throughout the year.
In 2022 Pierce introduced the prestigious merit 517 Living Community Member of the Month, bestowing the honor to Alyssa Turcsak of Sober In Lansing in February of 2023.
In this interview Alyssa shares details about who she is, what she does, and what she loves about living in the Greater Lansing Michigan Area.
Who are you?
I was introduced to the vitality of the nonprofit sector as a child. While growing up in Iowa, I was diagnosed with leukemia which led me to be the recipient of several nonprofit organizations like Make-a-Wish and Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals. Entering college, I lived in a nonprofit run apartment program for teens who were unhoused. I’m a proud first-generation college graduate with a degree in nonprofit management who graduated in 2015 from the University of Northern Iowa.
Sometime around 2018, I finally accepted that I had an unhealthy relationship with alcohol (a substance use disorder) that wouldn’t go away without serious help. I had been struggling since I graduated from college. I went to Brighton Center for Recovery twice and then later to Mid-Michigan Recovery Services (another nonprofit organization in our community) who helped me get into a nonprofit inpatient women’s rehab facility in Lansing that has unfortunately since closed down. I’ve been alcohol-free since January 8th, 2020.
Nonprofits really are the reason I’m here today.
I can likely be found outside in nature, eating at local restaurants, drinking coffee (SO MUCH COFFEE), purchasing a case of sparkling water, playing my Nintendo Switch, and tuning in to the local city council meetings. I live with my partner (of almost 10 years) and our beloved cat who was adopted from the Ingham County Animal Shelter.
Quick shout-out to my therapist for keeping my mentally ill brain in functioning shape – especially in the winter! If you read this and struggle this time of year, you’re not alone. I know it’s a cliche but I mean it.
If you own or represent a business or organization, tell us about it (or them).
I am the volunteer admin of Sober in Lansing. “Sober in Lansing” is a local chapter of the #SoberCityMovement community started on Instagram. You can find us on Instagram here. There are Sober Cities all over the country. We have a few other cities here in Michigan, too – Sober in Detroit, Sober in Grand Rapids, and Sober in Kalamazoo.
Events are open to anyone looking to change their relationship with alcohol. I believe that recovery is defined by you. This group believes in harm reduction and inclusivity. It is also open to anyone choosing not to have alcohol in their life for any reason (religious, health, etc) and may not use the word “recovery”. Please note: this is not a peer recovery support group. It is purely a social opportunity. I am not a trained professional in addiction or substance abuse and cannot provide treatment assistance.
My day job is working as the Outreach Coordinator for Nonprofit Network, a nonprofit capacity building center that walks alongside nonprofit organizations to strengthen nonprofit governance. I love my work because I have the honor to provide resources and support to so many different missions in our community. I wouldn’t be doing my job well if I didn’t mention that here. You can connect with me on LinkedIn, too.
Tell us about a recent uplifting experience you had in the Greater Lansing Area.
I participated in the 517 Living gift exchange during the holiday season and got randomly matched (and gifted) with folks from our community. I loved being connected to people I didn’t yet know.
I used to participate in RedditGifts because I love the way it makes the world feel a little smaller. They sadly ended it in January 2022. I was missing that connection this year so when I saw that 517 Living was offering a similar opportunity in my own community, I couldn’t miss it.
The person who gifted to me took my “love of local” very seriously and shared many locally purchased goodies. We were able to connect for coffee a few weeks later. We are still in touch and I’m borrowing a few books from them now!
What’s the most recent “new” (to you) local business or organization you’ve enjoyed discovering?
I am a BIG lover of food. There are too many incredible local restaurants to pick just one but seriously, eat local. I’d love to see more local restaurants offering mocktails or alcohol-free drinks other than just soda to their menus, though.
The headshot I’m sharing here was done by Lost Girl Vision. I have loved watching KyLee’s art evolve. If you need someone to make you feel powerful and seen, book time with her.
I’ve recently attended two different events by The Poetry Room at The Robin Theatre. Those folks are way better with words than I could ever hope to be so it’s hard to describe what it’s like. Just go to one and thank me later.
What is one thing (big or small) that you love about living in the Greater Lansing Area?
I moved to the area in 2016 from Iowa. I previously lived in East Lansing until 2018 but observed the closeness of the community in Lansing that was extra special. I’ve truly fallen in love with Lansing. I’ve heard it described as a “little big city” and I think that’s an excellent description. There is so much passion in the people who live here. You see it all over the community and feel it in every conversation – even in the disagreements. My favorite part of living in the Greater Lansing area has been making new friends. It’s hard to make friends as an adult but I feel pretty lucky with the people Lansing has gifted my life. | By Sarah Pierce
Sarah Pierce is the founder of the website and social platform 517Living. Promoting goodness and the best events in the Greater Lansing (517) Michigan Area, the process of building the platform helped Pierce overcome social anxiety, gave her a more purposeful life, and introduced her to the fascinating behind-the-scenes movers and shakers of her community who are much more “walk” than talk! 517 Living has enriched Pierce’s life, and she hopes it does the same for you.
