Mike's Experience
With a burning desire to help others either on the road to recovery or grieving a loss, Mike has put his journalistic, fundraising and speaking skills to work both as a Public Speaker and in co-founding Leah's Legacy.
Mike earned his communication-journalism degree from Shippensburg University and his master's in Integrated Marketing Communications from Eastern Michigan University. He serves as the Executive Director of the Foundation at a small rural hospital in South Central PA and is the co-founder of Leah's Legacy.​
Public Speaking
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Congressional Sub Committee
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Recovery Advocacy Day at PA State Capitol
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PA Department Drug and Alcohol (DDAP) The Phoenix Makeover at PA State Capitol
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Workshop Presenter (Bereaved Parents of USA among others)
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Colleges, high/middle schools
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Civic/community organizations
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Guest speaker at sober living homes and agencies that support women in recovery
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Podcast guest speaker (Life Unite Us, Our Hearts Are Home, United We Listen, among others)
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Guest speaker on various radio programs (including syndicated host Wendy Bell)
Community
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Parent Panel Advisory Committee (PPAC) through PA Department of Drug and Alcohol (DDAP)
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Franklin-Fulton Drug & Alcohol Advisory Committee
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Project SAAFE Advisory Committee (Fulton County)
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Franklin County Human Services Block Grant Voting Committee
Author
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The CALLing by Michael L. Straley - The Calling is a heartfelt piece that takes you on an emotional journey of parents struggling to understand their daughter's battle with addiction, the grief of losing a child and their valiant efforts to make a difference in the lives of others fighting the same addiction. (Buy Now)
Collection of Speaking Engagements and Interviews
Videos
Podcasts and Audio
Leah's Legacy- A Conversation About Addiction, Recovery, and Support
We're joined by Mike Straley and Sarah Fisher of Leah's Legacy, a nonprofit built on providing support for people in recovery. This episode brings to light the struggles of addiction through multiple perspectives and provides guidance for giving and finding support.
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Warning: This episode is emotional and could be difficult for some listeners.
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Click to listen via RSS, Spotify or Apple!
EPISODE 28 — LEAH’S LEGACY — MIKE STRALEY
Today we welcome to the podcast, Mike Straley, a dad, author, and along with his wife Robin, founder of Leah's Legacy. An amazing and talented young woman, Leah suffered from addiction for many years. After she passed, he and Robin started an organization to help women in recovery. Incredibly, a few years after Leah died, they lost their son, Christopher, in a car accident. In the midst of the unfathomable grief of losing both children, Mike can testify to the goodness of God in holding them and strengthening them through the devastating days of grief. Click to listen via Spotify or Apple!
WRGG 93.7 FM - Around Your community
Lois Steichen
Host, “Around Your Community”
Interview with Michael Straley about "The CALLing" and Leah's Legacy Foundation.
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Articles
WellSpan grant honors daughter’s legacy while supporting women in recovery
When Mike and Robin Straley lost their daughter, Leah, to Fentanyl poisoning in 2018, they wanted to do something to keep her memory alive while serving others – particularly women in recovery. One year later, Leah’s Legacy was formed, serving more than 1,200 individuals in need to date.
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House subcommittee hearing on opioid crisis held in Gettysburg
“She is forever 26,” said Mike Straley, whose daughter Leah’s legacy lives on through a foundation he and his wife, Robin, created to assist women in recovery in her memory. Straley, the founder of Leah’s Legacy Foundation, was among four witnesses to present opening statements and answer questions...
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Leah's Legacy Operations Center provides bags of hope for women in recovery
Just months before she died of a fentanyl overdose, Leah Straley called her parents from a sober living home and excitedly told them about the Christmas gift bag she received from a church group...
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Leah’s Legacy adds gathering place, bake shop to help women in recovery
As the footprint of Leah’s Legacy Foundation continues to grow, Mike and Robin Straley never lose sight of their mission. They offer love, hope and support to women in recovery in memory of their 26-year-old daughter, Leah, who they lost to a fentanyl overdose on Valentine's Day in 2018...
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