Recovery Café Network launches fifth cohort to address addiction epidemic
Indianapolis, IN; Lexington, KY and Bremerton, WA to start Recovery Cafés as communities of hope, healing and transformation for individuals in recovery from homelessness, addiction and other mental health challenges.
Seattle, WA: In April, the Recovery Café Network (RCN) launched its fifth cohort of member organizations opening Recovery Cafés in Indianapolis, IN; Lexington, KY; and Bremerton, WA to respond to the addiction epidemic and mental health crisis facing their cities. Over a two-day session, taking place from April 15-16 in Seattle, the new Café leaders learned about the Recovery Café model’s approach to provide individuals the support and stability we each need to thrive. The training focused especially on RCN’s Core Commitments and various Café components that make it unique among recovery centers. Each Café returned home excited to start communities of recovery support.
“The three groups that are beginning their journey with us to bring a Recovery Café to their communities were inspiring! From the questions they asked to the support they gave one another and the Seattle team, we all were excited to see the positive impact they will have when they return home. RCN looks forward to walking alongside them for the next two year and beyond.” – David Uhl, Recovery Café Network Director
“The energy and love this Cohort has is contagious! We’re beyond excited to welcome them to RCN and grow together on our journey ahead.” – Ashley Propes, Recovery Café Network Coordinator
During the two-day training, the new Recovery Café Network groups learned the basics of the Recovery Café’s longer-term recovery community model including:
- How to create a welcoming and healing setting for all people to thrive
- Raising up individuals to become leaders in the Café using their gifts and talents
- Peer facilitated support groups called Recovery Circles
- Providing activities as pathways to deepen recovery including classes, physical fitness opportunities, and community events
- Monitoring and evaluation of programming to demonstrate impact
This two-day training begins a two-year journey where each group is an Emerging Member of the Network. The Recovery Café Network team supports each Café as they open their doors and welcome individuals to become Members. At the end of two years, they will be evaluated and graduate from Emerging Members to Full Members.