Pura Vida is proud to provide both internal scholarships and access to external scholarship opportunities. These can help offset the cost of a prospective clients move-in costs, monthly rent and living expenses, as well as the cost of treatment. Through our internal fund and external partners we have helped hundreds of struggling addicts and alcoholics take the first step towards recovery. Every new client is made aware of these opportunities, and it is rare that we are not able to help everyone receive some sort of financial help.
In addition to scholarship opportunities, Pura Vida provides a range of no-interest financing options and payment plans that can ease the burden of the cost of treatment and make taking this important step easier.
Memorial Scholarships
Pura Vida Sober Living Homes, the Calder Family, and the Hamlow-Sawyer Family, are proud to announce scholarships in the names of Casey Calder and Micah Hamlow-Sawyer.
These scholarships will cover housing costs for 6 weeks for new residents at Pura Vida Sober Living Homes.
Scholarships will be awarded on a rotating basis, with every other scholarship being in the name of Micah or Casey.
If you are a prospective resident in need of sober living, but cannot afford it, please click the button below.
You will be directed to a page with a form to fill out explaining why you need a scholarship and how it will benefit your recovery.
Kian was a beloved friend and counselor who touched the lives of thousands of fellow travelers in the recovery community. He was taken from us by the disease of addiction after a sudden relapse last summer. Kian’s family has decided to honor his legacy by creating a scholarship in his name, which will be given to individuals who have completed addiction treatment and are ready to move into a sober living environment (SLE) but need financial support to do so. We are partnering with Pura Vida Recovery Services/Sober Living Homes, an organization that played a crucial role in Kian’s own recovery journey.
Kian was a strong advocate for sober living homes. He believed that SLEs can help people maintain sobriety when the support provided during treatment quickly falls away (medical supervision, counseling sessions, medication management, and peer support, to name a few). Kian once said “Rehab helped me get sober, but Pura Vida helped me stay sober. It helped me learn how to live without drugs or alcohol.” Sadly, Kian was making plans to return to a sober living home at the time of his death in July 2022.
The most vulnerable time for a person in recovery is immediately after completing rehab treatment, as most have lost their jobs, financial stability, and/or support network. Many are forced to return to their former living environments, where there is a high risk of returning to old behavior patterns.
Kian often encouraged others along by passionately exclaiming, “C’mon! Who’s gonna carry the boats with me?!” This scholarship is our way of demonstrating that together, motivated by Kian’s courage and love for others, we will help carry those boats and carry his gift forward.
Pura Vida has agreed to match 100% of contributions.
John had a kind heart hidden behind a tough exterior. He loved to joke around and always wanted others to be happy. John would have wanted for some good to come out of this tragedy and for someone to be helped from it. John grew up with one of the founders of Pura Vida and creating a scholarship that could help save someone’s life would be something that he would have liked.
We miss him every day and in our hearts we know that John is free.
Casey cared about others more than he did for himself. He would do anything to see others laugh and wanted the best for those around him. In the end, he was not able to ease his own pain from this disease. Our hearts are broken, but our souls know that he is finally at peace.
The Calder Family remembers fondly the time that Casey lived at Pura Vida Sober Living Homes. In their words, “It was the happiest we had seen Casey in years.”
In an attempt to help other people achieve the same level of happiness, the Calder Family and Pura Vida are proud to offer this scholarship to worthy candidates.
To contribute click the donate button next to Casey’s picture. This account is administered by Pura Vida Sober Living Homes and the Calder Family.
Because we are not a non-profit company, we cannot accept “donations.” As such, your contribution to this scholarship fund will purchase a portion of a scholarship for a new resident to gain entry to Pura Vida.
PayPal charges a small fee to process your contribution, but Pura Vida Sober Living Homes will match this amount as a gift so that 100% of your contribution goes directly to a scholarship.
Scholarship applications will be reviewed by Pura Vida Staff and the Calder Family.
Micah always gave everyone the biggest bear hugs, he had the biggest heart, infectious smile and was everyone’s big brother. His laugh was like no other, always the joker and made a huge presence every time he walked in a room. Not a day goes by that the family does not miss him and think of him, we are deeply saddened that addiction took him from us far too soon.
Our 22-year-old son Micah died of a drug overdose. After he passed many families asked us to be honest and tell his story. Our hope is to help someone else and make them feel less alone. We decided to form a nonprofit called “Micah’s Hugs” Our mission is to help break the stigma on addiction, bring awareness, and to help those in need.
Micah’s Hugs is offering the Micah Hamlow-Sawyer Scholarship to help individuals who fight every day to overcome the devastating effects of addiction.
Because Pura Vida is not a non-profit company, it cannot accept “donations.” As such, your contribution to this scholarship fund will purchase a portion of a scholarship for a new resident to gain entry to Pura Vida.
PayPal charges a small fee to process your contribution, but Pura Vida Sober Living Homes will match this amount as a gift so that 100% of your contribution goes directly to a scholarship.
Scholarship applications will be reviewed by Pura Vida Staff and Micah’s Family.
CLEAN Cause provides sober living scholarships to help reduce potential financial obstacles for those seeking recovery. These allows individuals in recovery an opportunity to re-integrate in to their local community.
Click below to apply for the CLEAN Cause scholarship. When prompted, include Pura Vida Sober Living as the sober house you are applying for.
California Department of Health Care Services Program Certification #: 490041AP Exp: 4/30/2025
California Department of Health Care Services Detoxification Facility License #: 490041BP Exp: 7/31/2025
