Vancouver Recovery Café offers one-of-a-kind supportive space

Canada’s first Recovery Café, which opened in East Vancouver this past September, has marked a milestone.

According to the café’s manager, the site welcomed its 50th member last week.

The facility is meant to provide a safe and supportive place for people recovering from substance use, mental illness, and those experiencing homelessness.

“For those of you that don’t know, the Recovery Café model started down in Seattle, and we now belong to a network of about 50 other cafes across the United States. We’re very proud to be the first one here in Vancouver, Canada,” explained Damian Murphy.

The Recovery Café in East Vancouver is meant to provide a safe space for people recovering from substance use, mental illness, and those experiencing homelessness. (OMNI News Image)

The Recovery Café in Vancouver is operated by The Kettle Society in collaboration with StreetoHome and the 625 Powell Street Foundation.

Despite being around for a few months, the café launched its official opening this week at the corner of Clark Drive and Frances Street.

“Membership continues to grow since we opened the doors to this beautiful space on Sept. 12,” said Murphy.

“I look forward to the day when other cafes open in other communities and continue the work in providing a safe, supportive place of belonging for those seeking to achieve and maintain their recovery everywhere in the province and maybe even across the country.”

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According to the groups that run the café, the space allows for members to “feel grounded and secure in a warm, welcoming environment that builds stability, strong relationships, and a sense of belonging.”

The café offers a range of services, including “facilitator-led recovery circles,” free meals, access to computers and phones, as well as the ability to be connected with resources and programs.

“This program fills a crucial gap in the support provided to people recovering from substance use, mental illness and homelessness,” Nancy Keough, executive director at The Kettle Society, is quoted as saying on the group’s website.

-With files from OMNI News