Recreational Activities Program
Shortly after opening The Black Cat Coffee House (BCCH) will be offering weekly and monthly events. Volunteers from Alcoholics Anonymous and SMART Recovery will begin having monthly meetings to assist those in recovery from alcohol and other drugs. In addition, we plan to have weekly events such as: open mic night, book club, board games, trivia night, boxing/martial arts and yoga classes and more. We also plan to have monthly special events including talent shows, art shows, Narcan training, speed dating, Halloween parties, and watch parties for events like the Super Bowl and Wrestlemania.
How does this provide value?
According to the SAMHSA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery, “recovery is holistic” and it must address the “creativity, social networks, and community participation” needs of people in recovery. In addition, the concept of wellness has been described as more than just the absence of disease or addiction and works by comprehensively addressing the emotional, social, and intellectual wellness needs of individuals in recovery. Holistically addressing the needs of people in recovery leads to healthier lifestyle choices and empowers people to take steps to engage in sober community building activities.
Another concept that runs parallel to wellness and holistic mental health care systems is recovery capital: the interaction of internal and external resources and factors an individual possesses to sustain their recovery. Positive family/social and community recovery capital include “supportive relationships with other people in recovery, the availability of recovery-related social events, and peer-led mutual support groups” (Pennelle, 2019).
Researchers working with individuals with mental health conditions are discovering that a range of social activities, both indoors and out are having a positive effect on individuals’ mood and self-esteem and that “strategies that target family and community recovery capital can elevate long-term recovery outcomes as well as elevate the quality of life of individuals and families in long-term recovery” (White & White, 2008 & Barton et al., 2012).
By creating a supportive and inclusive community and giving people the opportunity to find meaning in their lives-beyond surviving- we are working to prevent a crisis or relapse before it starts.
How will we measure success?
How does this provide value?
According to the SAMHSA’s 10 Guiding Principles of Recovery, “recovery is holistic” and it must address the “creativity, social networks, and community participation” needs of people in recovery. In addition, the concept of wellness has been described as more than just the absence of disease or addiction and works by comprehensively addressing the emotional, social, and intellectual wellness needs of individuals in recovery. Holistically addressing the needs of people in recovery leads to healthier lifestyle choices and empowers people to take steps to engage in sober community building activities.
Another concept that runs parallel to wellness and holistic mental health care systems is recovery capital: the interaction of internal and external resources and factors an individual possesses to sustain their recovery. Positive family/social and community recovery capital include “supportive relationships with other people in recovery, the availability of recovery-related social events, and peer-led mutual support groups” (Pennelle, 2019).
Researchers working with individuals with mental health conditions are discovering that a range of social activities, both indoors and out are having a positive effect on individuals’ mood and self-esteem and that “strategies that target family and community recovery capital can elevate long-term recovery outcomes as well as elevate the quality of life of individuals and families in long-term recovery” (White & White, 2008 & Barton et al., 2012).
By creating a supportive and inclusive community and giving people the opportunity to find meaning in their lives-beyond surviving- we are working to prevent a crisis or relapse before it starts.
How will we measure success?
- The BCCH will host one Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) meeting per week and one SMART Recovery meeting per month. Attendance cannot be taken at AA meetings, but the SMART Recovery meeting will have at least five participants per month for the first year of operation.
- The BCCH will host one recreational event per week for the first year of operation with an average of five people in attendance.
- The BCCH will host three special events for the entire year with at least eight people at each event.