| Special to The Desert Sun
Have some free time? These Palm Springs area nonprofits need volunteers
Here’s our latest roundup of Coachella Valley nonprofits that are seeking volunteers (as of July 2024).
When health care professionals from Japan arrived at The Ranch Recovery Centers Inc. in Desert Hot Springs in September, they came to experience a recovery philosophy unlike anything at home.
Over two days, the visitors immersed themselves in workshops led by Ranch staff, toured both the men’s and women’s campuses and took part in candid discussions about treatment approaches.
In Japan, treatment for substance use disorder leans heavily on hospitals with detox and psychiatric treatment at the forefront. At The Ranch, the delegation saw a different model — one that blends behavioral therapy, peer recovery networks and holistic practices into ongoing care beyond detox. Presenters shared case studies and emphasized the value of early intervention, steady follow-up and collaboration between medical providers and social services.
“It’s exciting,” said Rick Mesa, president and CEO of The Ranch Recovery Centers. “They really like the way we have our operations, so this is an opportunity to pass on the things we’re doing and the education we bring. It’s all about opening doors to new perspectives.”
For many participants, the visit also carried cultural significance. In Japan, addiction remains a stigmatized topic, and community-based recovery networks are rare. Observing U.S. practices offered them practical, real-world strategies to adopt back home.
One visitor, psychiatrist Yoichi Nakata, himself in long-term recovery from alcoholism, spoke openly about the challenges. “The treatment of addiction is so advanced in this country compared to Japan,” he said. In the U.S., he explained, programs often include medications to reduce cravings and aid recovery. In contrast, fear of being stigmatized can discourage people in Japan from seeking help at all.
The study tour, organized by the Healing and Recovery Institute of Yokohama City and supported by Phoenix International Consultation, has brought Japanese professionals to Desert Hot Springs for 12 years with only a pause during the COVID-19 pandemic. The exchange continues now to build a bridge between two distinct approaches to treatment.
Mesa, who has also toured recovery facilities in Japan, noted the difference in philosophy.
“I think what these visitors appreciate about our approach is the holistic view of recovery,” he said. “Not only the medical aspects, but the psychological, emotional and spiritual aspects too, so they can take care of the whole person.”
Family involvement is another key contrast.
“The family component is critical, because the more that people understand how addiction affects the entire family, the more support there can be for the person in recovery,” Mesa said.
As the delegation prepared to return home, their notebooks were filled with a broader vision of what recovery can mean. For The Ranch, the visit underscored its role as a resource not only for the Coachella Valley, but globally in addressing the challenges of addiction.
David Romo, founder of Phoenix International, who has facilitated study tours for more than 30 years, described the exchange as a “two-way street” of learning.
“Our success comes from relationships with places like The Ranch,” he said. “It’s about sharing practices but also building connections that last.”
The Ranch Recovery Centers Inc. is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that has helped people overcome alcohol and drug dependency since 1972. Licensed by the State of California Department of Health Care Services, The Ranch operates four facilities in Desert Hot Springs, including separate residential programs and transitional living homes for men and women. About 450-500 people receive services from The Ranch each year, with about 100 family members also receiving support.
For more information, visit ranchrecovery.org or call 760-329-2924.
Maggie Downs is a desert-based journalist and the author of “Braver Than You Think,” a travel memoir, and “50 Things to Do Before You’re Five,” a family guidebook. Her writing has appeared in publications such as The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, National Geographic, Palm Springs Life, Travel + Leisure, The Washington Post and others.
