Every Café begins as an Emerging Member and, as they grow through training and experience, ultimately progress toward becoming a Full Member Café.
Once an application is accepted, new Cafés join a cohort launch with a group of other teams, beginning the journey together. Launch is held virtually and takes place twice a year, in the Spring and Fall, and marks the official start of the Emerging Membership phase.
Beginning the week after launch, teams participate in weekly virtual Learning Series sessions for about six months, which introduce the values, programs, and tools that bring the Recovery Café Model to life. We also offer some nonprofit basics courses on topics like fundraising and board development to help you ground your organizational home.
Many groups find it helpful to visit other active Recovery Cafés to witness what the Recovery Café Model looks like in action. The Network assists newer Cafés in setting up immersive visits to learn firsthand from the Network’s Full Member Cafés.
Once initial training has been completed, teams begin to practice and implement the Model in their communities. In preparation, groups may search for operational spaces, build relationships, and grow their stakeholder engagement.
Typically within one year of launch, many Cafés secure a physical space, open their doors for service, and begin welcoming Members into a healing community space.
As Cafés implement the Model and navigate the on-the-ground experience of operating a Recovery Café, they receive consistent support from the Network. In part, this includes monthly cohort check-ins with other Cafés, individual team check-ins, continued access to training materials, and guidance from a dedicated RCN staff member.
Once a team feels ready, RCN staff visit Emerging Member Cafés and assess their adherence to the Membership Agreements, Core Commitments, and key elements of the Recovery Café Model. Completion of this step leads to becoming a Full Member Café.
Both Full Member and Emerging Member Cafés have several opportunities to come together and learn from one another. One highlight is the Network’s biennial in-person gathering called Rendezvous that brings together hundreds of Café leaders from around the U.S. and beyond for connection and collective wisdom.