A Voice for the Good: Recovery Café
3Rivers is proud to support so many of the non-profit organizations that are committed to making our community a better place to live, work, and play, and we want to help spread the word about the difference they're making in our region. We’ve teamed up with 97.3WMEE to bring you A Voice for the Good, a series in which we feature local organizations on our website in the form of an informative articles as well as on-air segments highlighting the non-profits’ missions.
This article features Recovery Café, a local non-profit on a mission to “support all people on their unique journeys. Whether you are new to recovery, moving through a difficult transition, returning to recovery, experiencing mental health challenges, trauma, or homelessness, or are now wanting to give back in service to others – [they] welcome you to join [them] in recovering your true, authentic self!”
We talked with Ryan Marsden, Executive Director, to learn more about this organization and the work they’re doing in our community.
How did Recovery Café come to be? What’s the history/story behind how the organization initially got started?
We launched the Recovery Café after visiting another Café in Lafayette. We were instantly drawn to the inclusivity and love that were shown. I learned later that there were over 60 Recovery Cafés nationwide and that they all were part of a model that was started in Seattle in 2016. After launching the first several Cafés in Seattle and seeing the results, the Recovery Café Network formed, and many other Cafés were soon launched across the country!
What is the official mission of Recovery Café, and how is it currently being put into play?
The Recovery Café Fort Wayne “operates on the belief that everyone is in recovery. We will provide a safe, compassionate, and non-judgmental space to nurture healing and bring empowerment to our members through education, support, and unconditional love.”
We carry out this mission through dedicated staff who are culturally competent and trained as peer support through the state of Indiana. In addition, we have member committees in the areas of inclusivity, activities, and retention. Through mealtimes, meetings, activities, assistance, and the space, we continue to nurture supportive community relationships that are crucial to long-term recovery.
How do you see the mission and vision of Recovery Café evolving in the future in the Northeast Indiana community? Where do you see your organization a year from now, or even five years from now?
We plan to open another location within the next five years! Until then, we are focused on building the culture of the community that we have.
Are there any exciting new developments, updates, or changes that have recently taken place at Recovery Café?
Recovery Café is moving into a larger space and will be located at 3020 South Calhoun Street! We are excited to expand our operations to better serve our community members.
Could you share a standout story or two that really illustrates the impact Recovery Café and/or its programs has on people in our community?
In the three years that we have been open, we have impacted many folks and have had the pleasure of walking alongside of some very cool people.
One of our members came from homelessness, addiction, and separation from her child. She now works for the Café after having joined and been a part of our community for the past two years and has her own home and is reunited with her son!
We have also had the pleasure of walking alongside a member who had recently lost a spouse due to a medical emergency and has leaned on the support provided by Café community. She remains drug-free and attributes her support system to this victory.
These stories are countless.
How can those interested in your services go about getting started or getting in touch?
Simply call or stop in for a tour and you will be greeted by Zach, our radical hospitality specialist!
Are there other local non-profit organizations that Recovery Café works/partners with to enhance their programs?
We partner with MANY other amazing local social services organizations including LSSI, HART, Avenues, Fort Wayne Recovery, Project.Me, and more.
Are there opportunities for community members to volunteer at Recovery Café—and if so, how can they go about learning more?
Absolutely! We encourage all members to give back in one way or another. In fact, it is one of our guiding principles. If someone is interested in volunteering they may call, email, or stop in to visit!
In what other ways can community members support Recovery Café—be it through monetary donations, material donations, education, etc.? Do you have an itemized wish list of any kind or utilize options like AmazonSmile to raise funds?
Time, Talents, or Treasures! The best way to give back is through volunteering or making a monetary contribution through the donation link on our website. This helps our community to be strong and beneficial to those we serve.
Where can our readers learn more about Recovery Café or about getting involved?
Check us out at recoverycafefw.org or stop in and see us! We love new faces!
Is there anything else you’d like our readers to know about Recovery Café?
We are one-of-a-kind here in Fort Wayne! Based off the simple fact that we all need to feel a sense of belonging, regardless of our past mistakes, trauma, or current struggles and that the opposite of addiction is human connection, we will go the extra mile to make sure that you are welcomed and safe!
Interested in featuring your non-profit on our website and on 97.3WMEE’s A Voice for the Good? Text "VOICE" to 46862! Please note that this may lead you to incur standard text messaging rates or other applicable charges consistent with your wireless carrier/mobile phone plan.