Life on the Line Utah

Getting the homeless, recovering addicts and those struggling with suicide out into nature and using fishing as a means to recovery and healing.

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Where do I begin? This all started about five years ago. I was a year into recovery after a long stint of heroin addiction and homelessness. I was able to find my recovery through doing things that were healthy and service to others. Working with others who were homeless and others that were less fortunate helped me see how fortunate I truly was. One of the activities that helped me truly recover was getting outdoors and fishing. When I was outside, in a safe place of healing, it was like bringing myself back to a place of calm before all the trauma started. I knew how much this helped me through my dark and difficult times so when I met others who I knew were struggling, I would extend an invitation to go fishing. Every time they would say "yes". I enjoyed that. 

I always like having friends to fish with, especially people who I can relate to and serve with my life experiences. I noticed when I took individuals up to the mountains, their whole demeanor changed. It was if all their fears and worries melted away. This led to some of the best conversations I have ever had. Through these moments I started to realize that fishing and being outdoors gave me an opportunity to have a genuine conversation, something most new friends, hadn't had in a long time. 

Fishing opens the door to having meaningful conversations and allows me an in, so I can help others who are struggling heal. If only these people could be prescribed a prescription... for human connection, doing something with someone who is positive. I think if this were to happen we could change a lot of what I see is going on in our country. I’m am simply trying to put my experiences into play to lift others and facilitate the type of experience with a friend. I want to help as many people as I can, calling on others fisherman to share their passion and be a friend to someone.

I believe as a community we can make big changes by giving someone an opportunity they normally wouldn’t have, putting them in a safe place and having a genuine conversation. It just takes putting down ones phone and getting outdoors away from the noise and connecting person to person, doing something fun.

Jessie Campbell

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Addiction, suicide and homelessness are to epidemic levels never before experienced. Everywhere. I've been there and I know how it is to try to get back on my feet. I needed, and still need, help from those around me. Fishing and the outdoors was one of the key elements of me kicking my addiction, staying clean and staying off the streets. It's not easy, for sure, but I am so grateful for where I'm at and for all the incredible help received through the years. It's time I gave back as much as I possibly can and share with others what ultimately gave me the strength to overcome. The homeless, the addicts, the ex-convicts, those struggling with suicide are all hurting in deep, deep ways. But the common need of human connection in a healing environment can make all the difference. With Life on the Line we can and WILL literally save lives, help addicts get clean, ex-convicts get back into society and make this world a better and safer place. We need to get this into a functioning business that can maximize it's potential. That takes equipment, transportation, supplies and money.

We hope this campaign can raise at least $20k to establish our LC3 and get the resources needed to get off the ground and scale.

We're shooting to start with two outings a week that include breakfast, haircut and cleanup, a fishing outing, a bag of groceries to leave them with, and a change of clothes (as needed) for every guest. We'll strive for strong follow up connections with each of them to make sure we maximize their ability for true change.

Thank you so much for this opportunity to get the word out and harvest everything we need to get started.