All are welcome: Recovery Cafe is serving up compassion six months into its mission

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GREENFIELD — They come for the hot food and warm hugs, and some even stay for the yoga.

It’s been less than six months since the Recovery Cafe opened in downtown Greenfield, and organizers are thrilled with how things are going.

Linda Ostewig said between eight to 10 people are coming to the dinners served there every Tuesday and Thursday night, and many are taking advantage of the support programs, art classes and other resources offered at The Landing Place, which hosts the cafe.

“It is just like a dream come true,” said Ostewig, who founded The Landing Place as a recovery resource for teens in 2014.

“It’s really overwhelming when I walk into the room and people are laughing, talking and playing games, meeting with recovery coaches and making recovery plans. It’s so exciting and surreal,” she said.

Throughout 2021 Ostewig worked diligently to open the Recovery Cafe, a place where those in need of support could access a warm meal and recovery resources while building sober relationships.

“We’re reaching people with all kinds of needs, not just those recovering from substance abuse,” said the cafe’s program manager, Patti Tackitt.

“Obviously, substance abuse is part of it, but the cafe is for those in recovery from absolutely anything, whether it’s addiction or grief or mental health struggles. All our services are free. We offer one-on-one recovery coaching, support groups and classes that teach all kinds of things like art therapy, communication skills and yoga,” she said.

“It’s definitely a safe place and it’s based on love.”

Life throws a lot of things people’s way, said the cafe’s manager, Becky Wilburn. The Recovery Cafe provides a safe space for people to find the support they need to navigate whatever comes their way, whether it’s substance abuse, food or other addictions, trauma, parenting, homelessness or divorce.

While some come to the Recovery Cafe for recovery support and counseling, others come for basic needs. One local homeless man stops by once a week to take a shower, as do a mother and son. Another homeless man stopped in recently for a cup of coffee and a new pillow.

“The cafe is open to all adults on this journey we call life,” said Wilburn, who is on her own recovery journey.

“Everyone that is on staff has been affected by addiction or mental health or trauma or something in some sort of way, so when we say we get it, we get it,” she said.

“Each person is different and each story is different. Whatever their story may be, we’re OK with that. If you don’t know what to do about whatever is you’re facing, we welcome you to come in and let us help you figure it out.”

In addition to free meals and recovery counseling, the Recovery Cafe offers a number of free programs and resources.

This week, Tackitt planned to teach a class on self-awareness. Last week, she taught a class on communication skills and relationships. She also loves to teach art therapy, helping others to express themselves through art.

A number of classes offered at the cafe tackle mental health issues, following programming set out by the National Alliance on Mental Health.

Ostewig is now putting together a program called Recovery Works, through which state funding from the Division of Mental Health and Addiction is allocated to help support the cafe’s outreach in the form of mental health counseling, housing and transportation.

A resource navigator at the cafe is there to help people find whatever types of programs and resources they may need.

Welburn is working to spread the word about the cafe with local community partners like the Kenneth Butler Memorial Soup Kitchen and the Hancock Hope House, so that all those serving the public can be familiar with one another, and refer those in need.

“We want to let our community partners know we’re not here to compete with anyone. We are here to collaborate with them. We want to connect, so that we all fit together like puzzle pieces,” she said. “Together we all complete this clear picture of a goal we all share, which is to serve those in need in this community.”

While it’s hard work, Welburn is inspired by those who tell her the cafe is making a real difference in their lives.

“Getting into a situation where you need support is more common than what people think,” she said.

“There’s absolutely no judgment here. We just want to see people be their best self and, if we can help, then we want to do that. Just to have someone come here and feel seen and heard makes a huge difference for them.”

For information on the Recovery Cafe and its programs, visit facebook.com/recoverycafeofhancockcounty.