Community honors Jenefer Mitchell’s legacy of hope and recovery
IDAHO FALLS, Idaho (KIFI) — Hundreds of people came together at the Brickyard Event Center to remember a local woman who saved their lives. Jenefer Mitchell passed away June 20, 2026, in a tragic car accident along Highway 26 near Ririe, Idaho.
Although Jenefer has passed on, her legacy has not, and many came out to speak about how she changed their lives.
"If you look around this room today, you'll probably notice something," said Jenesa Sasinouski, Jenefer's sister. "They are softball friends, people from recovery, coworkers, friends, family, neighbors, kids she cheered for, people she argued with, people she laughed with, people from the different parts of her life. She had this incredible ability to make you feel like you matter. She believed in people long before they believed in themselves."
Recovering from Addiction
Friends and family said one of Jenefer's greatest passions was helping people overcome addiction and find recovery.
Jenefer believed anyone could find the courage to recover from addiction, and she fought every day to show others who struggled with addiction that they could overcome it too. She answered phone calls, gave rides, sat with people through difficult times and reminded them they were capable of more than they believed.
Anyone who hasn't experienced addiction may struggle to understand how someone could become addicted. They may believe those who use drugs lack moral principles and willpower when, in reality, addiction is a complex disease. These substances can rewire the brain in ways that make quitting extremely difficult, but not impossible.
Most addictions affect the brain's reward circuit, causing increased levels of dopamine to flood the brain. As a person continues to use drugs, the brain adapts by reducing the ability of cells in the reward circuit to respond. This can lessen the feeling of pleasure or the "high" the person once experienced. To try to regain that feeling, a person may begin using larger amounts of the substance and fall deeper into addiction.
Much like other chronic illnesses, there is no cure for addiction. However, it is treatable and can be successfully managed by people in recovery. Getting help and support and knowing you are not alone can make a difference.
Jenefer was heavily involved with The Center for Hope Peer Recovery Center.
The Center for Hope is a non-profit Community Recovery Center in Idaho Falls providing free addiction and mental health recovery support services to adults.
They offer:
- Conversations and Connections Discussions
- Community Support Groups
- Recovery Coaching
- Peer Support
- Access to computers, internet, WIFI
- Social Activities
- QPR 90 minute suicide prevention training
- Community Resource Training
- Educational Opportunities
- Re-entry services following incarceration
Help is always available. If you are in crisis, call the Suicide and Crisis line at 988. You can speak with someone anytime.
Idaho Falls Recovery Centers:
Rexburg Recovery Centers:
Pocatello Recovery Centers:
Jackson Hole Recovery Centers:
