A new recovery-focused organization is inviting community members to stop by and learn more about the programs available.
Recovery Café Columbus will be hosting several open house events this weekend and next week. The cafe, located at 1412 Sycamore St., welcomes visitors during the following hours:
- October 14th: 11am to 1pm
- October 15: 2pm to 6pm
- October 16: 2pm to 6pm
- October 21st: 11am to 1pm
- October 22nd: 2pm to 6pm
- October 23rd: 2pm to 6pm
Executive director Alison Grimes said the space is still in development and organizers hope to have a soft opening the last weekend in October, followed by a grand opening in November.
“We also believe that everyone recovers from something,” she said. “It’s not just drugs and alcohol. It’s sadness, loneliness, trauma, anything that hinders our growth.”
The first Recovery Cafe was started in Seattle about 20 years ago, Grimes explained. Many communities wanted to replicate this model, which led to the creation of the Recovery Café Network. The network currently includes around 60 cafes across the country.
Grimes said We Bloom serves as a financial sponsor for the local cafe and has applied for its own 501(c)(3) designation. Reconstruction Café Columbus also receives support from the Café Network and will become an “emerging member” for two years.
The Recovery Café model is membership-based.
“There is no financial cost to membership, but there are three major commitment costs,” Grimes said. “And that means we agree to ban drugs and alcohol in our spaces. Members participate in a one-hour weekly recovery circle at the same time, and that means we all agree to prohibit drugs and alcohol in our spaces.” Because we believe they deserve to be known and loved, and because it gives them the opportunity to know and love others deeply.And finally, (the last promise is) a cafe space, or a cafe. It’s about giving back to the community, because this doesn’t belong to any of us. It belongs to all of us.”
Whenever the cafe is open, members will be in a safe and calm space, she said. In addition to coffee, the cafe also serves hot meals daily. It will be open from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturdays and from 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. on Sundays and Mondays. Grimes said the organization is trying to fill a gap in time for recovery efforts and hopes to expand its hours as its membership grows.
Additionally, organizations provide opportunities for connection and growth. Members have access to School for Recovery, which are one-hour classes that run for four to eight weeks and focus on a subject of the member’s choice.
These could include a variety of topics, including life skills, budgeting, art and trauma-informed yoga, Grimes said.
“Our members vote on whatever they want to learn and do, and we do everything in our power to deliver it,” Grimes said. “We also receive member funding. This is a pilot program that Recovery Works is running for Café members. This is helping them connect with all kinds of community resources that they need. His resources are his coordinator.”
In addition, we plan to hold monthly social events at the cafe where guests can also participate.
Those who are undecided about becoming a member are welcome to visit up to three times without making a decision, Grimes said.
“And if after three times they’re still not sure, we don’t say, ‘Oh, you can’t come back now,'” she said. “Whatever it takes for people to decide they want to be a part of it.”
Grimes said other ways to get involved with the organization include volunteering as a “café buddy” for people at the center who need someone to talk to.
The cafe is also looking for donations of furniture and miscellaneous supplies, with a list posted on the group’s Facebook page.
Grimes said the cafe is not intended to replace treatment programs or service providers, but rather to accompany anything else a person might do as part of their recovery. added.
“We experience all kinds of hurt throughout our lives,” she said. “And again, life is difficult in general. And especially since COVID-19, many of us have become even more isolated than before. And especially from drugs and alcohol. It’s hard when you’re trying to distance yourself or when you want to make a healthy connection with someone. There are a lot of people working from home right now. It’s hard to make friends. It’s hard to get that connection. It’s difficult. What we’re here to do is create a place where you can meet other people.”
Where to learn more
For more information about Recovery Café Columbus, visit recoverycafecolumbus.org and the organization’s Facebook page.