RECOVERY CAFE WEST SAC

Restorative, adj: the power to give back something previously stolen, taken away, or lost.

“I’m recovering from 20 years of drug abuse.”

“I’m recovering from childhood trauma.”

“I’m recovering from homelessness and addiction.”

“I’m recovering from mental-health struggles.”

“I’m recovering from traumatic loss.”

They roll in through the doors every day: young and old, every race, every gender, every story. They know trauma - whether substance-use disorders, homelessness, mental-health struggles, domestic violence, or PTSD. They also know what restorative community looks like. THEY ARE IT.

In adjoining rooms, members take part in weekly recovery support groups, or in specialized art, exercise and life-skills classes as part of a School for Recovery. Everything is free. Everywhere you look speaks welcome, worth, and warmth.

Welcome to the Recovery Cafe West Sac, a stirring corner of restorative community unveiled by the Mercy Coalition in 2022. It’s a safe, healing space, launched in partnership with the nationwide Recovery Cafe Network, currently comprised of 60 sites around the country. The Recovery Cafe concept centers around a free midday meal in a community space that is drug-and-alcohol-free, and which employs a peer-driven model of accountability, belonging and growth.

“As a long-term mental-health strategy, it could be a game-changer for so many,” said Don Bosley, Mercy’s executive director. “The minute we saw the Recovery Cafe model, we knew it was the perfect box in which to package all the restorative community programming that we’ve wanted to do - and a whole lot more.”

“It’s an evidence-based approach,” said West Sacramento Mayor Martha Guerrero, who along with Mercy staff and board members toured the Recovery Cafe site in San Jose on March 2022. “This model was chosen because it effectively and compassionately earns the trust of unsheltered individuals who are additionally challenged by vulnerabilities such as chronic illness, trauma and substance-use disorders.”

RECOVERY CAFE WEST SAC FACT SHEET

WHAT IS IS

Recovery Cafe West Sac is a restorative community supporting individuals who have suffered trauma, homelessness, addiction and other mental-health challenges.  It centers around a community space that is drug- and alcohol-free, embracing, and healing, and which employs a peer-driven model of accountability, belonging and growth. 

SITE: Community Lutheran Church, 920 Drever Street, West Sacramento. **Although grateful for the ongoing support and partnership of
Community Lutheran Church, the Mercy Coalition of West Sacramento and the Recovery Cafe programming have no religious affiliation.

HOURS OF OPERATION: Weekdays from 11:30am-3pm (Lunch served from 12 to 1:30pm)

PARTNER | MODEL: Mercy Coalition is a member of the nationally-recognized Recovery Cafe Network, currently comprised of 60 sites around the country.  All RCN sites subscribe to a baseline person-oriented model that includes the following core components:

• The creation of community space that is drug- and alcohol-free, embracing, and healing.

• Nurturing structures of loving accountability called Recovery Circles

• The empowering of every Member to be a contributor.

• The raising up of Member leaders

• Ensuring responsible stewardship

• Working to end systemic racism and socioeconomic inequality so every person can thrive

MEMBERSHIP

Per the RCN model, membership is free, and open to all.  The requirements to maintain one’s membership are:

• Be drug- and alcohol-free for 24 hours before entering the cafe.

• Attend your Recovery Circle each week

• Give back by participating in cafe chores (cleaning, serving meals, etc.)

FOOD & BEVERAGE

All of the cafe’s food and beverage offerings will be free to members, including coffee available throughout the day.  Cafe staff will provide a hot meal at lunchtime for all, and Members can enjoy the flavored latte of their choice during Latte Hour in the afternoon.

PROGRAMMING

Recovery Circles:  The only compulsory programming at the cafe, our weekly Recovery Circles are Member small groups that gather with a trained facilitator for the purpose of supporting one another’s recovery journey.  Recovery Circles act as points of accountability, encouragement and shared resilience.

School of Recovery:  This RCN model features non-compulsory courses 6 to 8 weeks in length, each focused on a particular aspect of recovery/addiction, inner healing and healthy living.  Mercy Coalition’s early menu of topics includes Building a Strong Recovery Foundation; Healing Grief; Healthy Relationships; Mindfulness; Writing for Recovery; and more.

JAM Academy:  Mercy Coalition’s existing workforce development program, the Job And Mentoring (JAM) Academy, finds a natural fit in the Recovery Cafe, with a number of cafe positions filled by JAM trainees who are themselves members of our priority population. Levels 1 and 2 of the JAM Academy focus on basic employment skills and vocational goals, while Level 3 includes opportunities for peer mentoring.

November School 4 Recovery

~ Book club: Atomic Habits ~

James Clear, one of the world's leading experts on habit formation, reveals practical strategies that will teach you exactly how to form good habits, break bad ones, and master the tiny behaviors that lead to remarkable results.

~ Breathing for Recovery ~

Tune into your breath. Increase Awareness. Practice de-stressing.
Examine your thoughts Learn how to do these and practice merging your mind and body into a more holistic person.

~ KOOKING W/ KENYATTA ~

Learn affordable whole foods and healthy ways of meal preparation.

Transgender Awareness Week (Nov. 13 to Nov. 19)

Transgender people come from all walks of life, and it is estimated that there are more than 2 million across the United States. They are parents, siblings, and kids. They are your coworkers, your neighbors, and your friends. People who are transgender and nonbinary (and their affirming families) are under attack – in state legislatures, in the media, and in schools. There has never been a greater need to have educated and engaged allies fighting for https://pflag.org/resource/pao-supportingtranslovedones/ Is a great resource so you can see how you can support our friends and loved ones.

Native American Heritage Month

In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations, under variants on the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”), have been issued each year since 1994. Please join us as we celebrate and learn more about the experiences, histories, and heritage of Native and Indigenous communities. The theme for this year’s celebration is “Storytelling”; what stories go untold and what stories need to be told? To participate in Native American Heritage Month, individuals can: Attend local events or virtual celebrations. Engage with Native American communities and learn about their histories and cultures. Support Native American artists and businesses. Educate themselves and others about the significance of the month and the ongoing issues faced by Native communities.

National Hunger & Homeless Awareness Week (Nov. 17 to Nov. 25)

The struggle to fulfill basic needs can be difficult for many Americans who live paycheck-to-paycheck. An illness, injury, or job loss can easily lead to poverty, hunger, and homelessness. Data shows that about 43 million Americans live below the poverty level and one in five children is afflicted by poverty. Approximately half a million Americans are without a home. Organizations help out by providing food, a place to sleep, medicines, and more. Celebrate the week by supporting local organizations that help people find jobs, permanent homes, and medical facilities. For assistance with food, text GRAPE to 888777 for local food pantries.