Jim O’Connor wins IABH award as Second Story Ranch fundraising ramps up

The Illinois Association for Behavioral Health honored Second Story Foundation founder Jim O’Connor for pushing long-term recovery supports beyond treatment. The recognition comes as the organization seeks private funding to finish its 68-acre recovery campus in Will County after Illinois set aside $2 million in the fiscal 2027 budget.

Why it matters: - O’Connor’s work centers on the gap between addiction treatment and stable long-term recovery. - The Second Story Foundation is building a model that combines housing, work, peer support and daily structure for men leaving treatment. - The project needs more private money to finish the residential and recovery infrastructure.

What happened: - Jim O’Connor, CADC, founder and executive director of The Second Story Foundation, received the Illinois Association for Behavioral Health’s Dr. C. Vincent Bakeman Memorial Award on Thursday. - The award recognized leadership and advocacy for stronger, long-term pathways to recovery in Illinois. - O’Connor’s nonprofit is developing the 2nd Story Ranch Recovery Home and Jobs Program on a 68-acre property in Will County. - Illinois included $2 million for The Second Story Foundation and the 2nd Story Ranch in the state’s fiscal year 2027 budget in June.

The details: - The Dr. C. Vincent Bakeman Memorial Award honors people who present a vision for behavioral health, communicate that vision consistently and show persistent leadership. - O’Connor has pushed for a broader recovery continuum that includes stable housing, meaningful employment, peer support, daily structure and recovery capital. - The 2nd Story Ranch is being designed as a long-term recovery community for men leaving substance use disorder treatment. - The model is intended to create a pathway from treatment into stable work and independent living. - O’Connor has promoted the approach through meetings with state legislators, behavioral health leaders and recovery organizations. - He has also used media interviews, opinion pieces, policy discussions, podcasts and conference presentations to advance the message. - The state appropriation followed years of outreach and growing bipartisan support for the project. - The Second Story Foundation says additional funding is still needed to complete the residential and recovery infrastructure. - The organization is seeking support from individuals, foundations, businesses and philanthropic partners. - Private contributions will fund the Ranch’s residential facilities and the infrastructure needed to expand recovery and employment programming. - The Foundation is also seeking major donors, corporate partners and other supporters to help complete the project. - O’Connor said, “Recovery doesn’t end when treatment ends.” - O’Connor said people need housing, work, supportive relationships and a reason to keep building their lives. - O’Connor said the award is meaningful because Bakeman understood the need for a clear vision and persistence in behavioral health.

Between the lines: - The award gives O’Connor and the Second Story Foundation added credibility as they ask donors to help close the capital gap. - Illinois’ public investment signals political momentum, but the project still depends on private fundraising to become fully operational. - The Ranch is positioned as a shift from short-term treatment to a longer recovery infrastructure, which is the core policy argument O’Connor has been making.

What’s next: - The Second Story Foundation is now making private fundraising a central priority. - The organization wants to convert state support into private commitments from donors and partners. - Funding discussions can be directed through the Foundation’s website, by email at giving@2ndStoryFoundation.org or by phone at 74-SADDLE-UP ext. 3 (747-233-5387 ext. 3). - The 2nd Story Ranch will continue moving toward completion as fundraising advances.

The bottom line: - O’Connor’s award recognizes a recovery model built around life after treatment, not just treatment itself. - The next hurdle is money: finishing the Ranch will require private capital to match public support.