GOOD CLEAN FUN: Drug-Free Entertainment Zone
A Drug Free Entertainment Zone dance
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Imagine a club that has DJ dances, live music, bingo and Monte Carlo nights, karaoke, pool, Ping-Pong, darts and other games, sports television, food and beverages to consume, and rooms that can be used for local community groups to meet or for people to just hang out and share good company and conversation. Sounds like a great time, right? Well, get this; it doesn't serve any alcohol or tolerate any drug use and has a child care room available. Why on earth would anyone want to party and have a good time at a place like this? The primary goal is to provide a safe place for people who are recovering from substance abuse issues and can not afford or do not wish to hang out in places that may contain triggers to use or threaten their recovery in any way. No shady characters lurking around the corner; no drunken predators slurring pathetic pick-up lines; no fights; no police; no threats to the safety of its patrons, and hey, no designated drivers, DUI's, or hangovers. Those of us in the recovery community also know many of our friends, family, co-workers and neighbors who fully enjoy having good clean fun in a family-friendly environment that doesn't serve alcohol. We feel that a club like this could serve a dual purpose in serving both the recovery community and the broader community as a whole.
Some recovery groups put on potlucks and dances on a periodic basis, usually as fundraisers for campouts and conventions, but there aren't any consistent, daily or even weekly activities or events that provide some place to go and something to do for the thousands of recovering individuals in the metro area. Another inconsistency is the venue; these groups rent local grange halls or churches, but it is hard to keep track of where and when the next function is taking place without a great deal of flyers, time and volunteer effort, and inevitably many never hear about them despite all that. The idea of his clean club or drug-free entertainment zone is to have a permanent home, someplace consistent that people know about and know that there will always be something going on there. Online calendars and someone always available to answer calls at just one phone number would make planning weekly activities a breeze. Another benefit is that they can bring their children, parents, grandparents; anyone is welcome as long as they are sober and behave in a respectful and responsible manner, and you can save the babysitter money for drinks at the coffee or juice bar.
A lot of people like the atmosphere of a tavern, pub or club because of the lighting, music, karaoke, dancing, and games. While certain activities on certain days and in various areas of the building would be more business-like or quiet, intimate and perhaps better lit, unwinding in a chill, musical, festive ambiance and environment is appealing to many. There are hardly any entertainment or activity venues in the metro area that offer these services that don't sell alcohol or liquor, and, although sad but true, often where there's smoke there's fire; meaning that where alcohol is served, drugs are never too far away. Recovering individuals don't need those temptations, nor do children or teenagers, and many college students and adults as well desire a fun yet safe place to socialize, listen to good live music or just relax where drinking and all that comes with drinking isn't an issue. Don't get me wrong, many people enjoy unwinding with a few drinks, and many handle it just fine, but some don't and those that don't often wind up being victims or perpetrators. We wish to avoid all that goes with alcohol, hoping that patrons discover that getting high on life can be even more satisfying if given the right environment.
When I first got clean back in 1994, there was this recovery club that had live music and dances every single weekend. It was called the URS Club (unity, recovery, service) and they were also open every day for food, pool, pinball and recovery meetings. I tried going back to bars at first, but I felt like a fish out of water. I lacked the liquid courage to socialize or dance, and it seemed like as the night went on people either wanted to fight or make insulting passes at me, and in their inebriated state neither seemed too appealing. Besides, if I kept going to the barber shop, sooner or later I would get a haircut; meaning that I was tempting a fate that could be devastating for me. How long could I avoid drinking and drugs while hanging out in that chemical lair? It didn't take long to make the URS Club my new hangout, and many nights that place kept me from giving in to the boredom or insanity between my ears and going back out drinking or drugging. The URS Club still exists, but has moved a couple times, downsized and no longer has pool tables or any other games, dances, or adequate room or ambiance to just hang out comfortably.
Years passed by since the original club closed around 2000, and besides the aforementioned sporadic dances of the recovery groups, there was little to do that involved music or dancing that wasn't at a bar or club that served alcohol. I can't count the scores of recovering individuals that succumbed to the boredom and temped fate at such clubs to demoralizing and destructive ends that often included full blown relapses resulting in homelessness, jail or prison and even death. The need for an alternative was apparent to us, but to those providing other recovery services it seemed off the radar. Their focus was on more traditional services like prevention, detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, housing and the rising mentor programs. All these services are pertinent on the continuum of care, but what about retention? How do we keep people in recovery? After treatment they just tell people to go to 12 step meetings and use what the learned at their cognitive/behavioral or moral recognition therapy sessions. We needed something else at the other end of the spectrum; a place to go and things to do to break up the monotony and isolation of everyday life. Recovering individuals often require more stimulation than the average person; they are often thrill-seekers, artists, concert-goers, and the like, and boredom is an enemy cloaked in the disguise of a responsible and productive lifestyle.
In 2005 I was working for the Recovery Association Project (RAP) as an Organizer and Outreach Coordinator. It was my job to organize the recovery community by holding relational meetings to discover pertinent issues to address, form strategy teams to formulate plans of action, and assemble power from throughout the broader community to make policy changes that not only helped recovering individuals but the broader community as well. We appealed to City and County Commissions, State Legislators and agencies for funding and policy amendments to create mentor and housing programs, and a variety of health and public safety practices to reduce addiction, relapse, crime and death. Upon investigating our next issue to advocate around, we made lists of the greatest challenges recovering individuals faced that included some place to go to find fellowship, support and have fun where they could bring their kids and be safe, so we began strategizing about how this might be done and the idea of a recovery community center came to light. We could, and perhaps should, have organized in our traditional fashion, but we knew RAP had money from a recovery community service provider (RCSP) grant from the federal government that could fund at least the start up and first couple years of such a center so we went to work.
After some controversial internal actions, RAP agreed to fund the project and within a few months the new RAP Center was open. The downstairs 3,000 square feet was our staff offices, board room, organizing headquarters and resource room, and the upstairs 3,000 square feet featured a great room with dance floor, adjacent snack bar, dining tables and chairs, a game room with sofas, pool tables, foosball, ping pong, darts and the like, a big meeting room that could hold 100 people easily, a smaller lounge-type room with sofas and tables and chairs where cards or cribbage were often played, and a good-sized child care room offered parents a much needed sanctuary and interlude from their typical grind. We had our grand opening in 2006 and within 6 months the RAP Center became financially self-supporting, including paying a part-time manager, and the place to be for recovering individuals in the metro area. At long last, we had a hub for recovery-retention activities that doubled (downstairs) as an organizing platform to further other agendas. It was absolutely glorious for about two and a half years. I had t leave RAP on difficult terms within that first year of the center being open, and have yet to discover the truth about why they closed it, but hear that it didn't fit within their advocacy mission and that they were never intended to be a service organization. It could have been a lack of funding for the rest of the building or a lack of willingness to continue running it. I plan on finding out so it doesn't happen again, but the fact remains that it closed and that void returned, sucking more and more people out into the perilous temptations of traditional adult civic entertainment.
More years passed by; It was 2010. A friend and I were driving around one winter weekend night and shared with each other our disappointment that there was nowhere for us to go to socialize or listen to good music that didn't serve alcohol. We decided to do something about it. I hired a DJ, rented a grange hall, made some flyers, posted on Facebook, and we had us a dance. It wasn't affiliated to any recovery group; we called it the Drug-Free Entertainment Zone, inspired by the Drug Free Zone signs the police put up near schools. It was a smashing success, and albeit far from profitable, it did a little more than break even and funded the next event; a live rock-n-roll show with three bands. Again, it was a great time and the buzz was beginning. We did a couple more shows, but our enthusiasm died down due to a combination of our our workload increasing and the usual recovery activities of spring time drew upon us. We were core players in those activities as well. and doing both was just too much for us so we let DFEZ just fade away. I kind of regret it now, but we did provide the best three years of recovery group activities ever here in the metro area that erroneously seemed to fill the gap in activities. In actuality, we stayed busy, but it was a lot of planning and organizing for monthly or bi-monthly activities. It was better than quarterly activities, but it was still sporadic and nomadic and we couldn't see the still existing outside need of the masses from within.
This past summer I helped with several outdoor music festivals for the recovery fellowships, but they were by no means all-inclusive or consistent, and the same old recognition of the need for a place like the old URS Club or RAP Center washed over me again. I had begun talking with a few individuals about trying to start a nonprofit or somehow getting a regular place going that I could just leave all my accumulated sound and lighting gear at so we could do regular shows, but it never got much past talk until now. I selected this idea, concept, vision, need, service--whatever it is--to be my Capstone project because I felt this assignment would allow me the time and accountability I needed to really look into what it would take to make this dream come true. Before I explain my actions and realizations of this project, I want to share that my motivation to get this type of club or community center up and running again stems from four sources. First, from my own personal experience; I know it saved me and has given me both purpose and sanctuary. Secondly, I hear it week in and week out from my peers, but the effort lacks leadership and resources, and many say they are willing to help once a viable effort is underway. Thirdly, when I help throw events, and individuals new to recovery tell me "Wow, I didn't know being clean could be so fun. Thank you"; I realize how essential it is to engage and retain people just discovering recovery. Finally, I owe it to all the people I have known throughout my twenty years of recovery who have come and gone too soon--for the ones who disappeared without a trace to the close friends who died from an overdose. I owe it to myself, my peers, those seeking a new way of life, and those who might still be with us if the retention resources were available.
The mission of this endeavor is to provide an essential resource that enables abstinence and retention to a recovery lifestyle that is both focused on entertainment and activities, and that is inclusive in the population it serves; to include those not in recovery themselves. The essential elements to ensure success include having a variety of activities for a variety of ages and tastes. For instance, rotating the genre of music each week of the month. It must have a sense of community where local groups have a place to meet to discuss issues that are important to them in both an educational and relational way, be safe for all ages and lifestyles, include a resource referral component, and in order to be financially viable as well as develop a sense of cohesion it will offer volunteer opportunities so those who could benefit from gift development and being of service to others can grow as this concept grows. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, being consistent and having both daily, weekly, and monthly activities and events that feature musical entertainment, comedy, fun and games is essential to long-term success.
The essential elements of this endeavor would include identifying start up capital and means for sustainable funding. We would also need a business board or committee to work collaboratively and within the same vision, mission and goals. When ready, we would need to acquiring a suitable, centrally-located venue and all the necessary furnishings, game tables, light and sound equipment, including food and beverage equipment and the permits to serve. Determining whether several small centers of one large central center would be more appropriate is one thing we would want to remain cognizant of. And finally, marketing to attract customers or consumers would be critical for sustainability.
Some of the challenges we expect to face, based on past experiences, might be maintaining nonpartisanship; meaning that the club is not catering to specific recovery groups, nor to just recovery groups. We want to include all recovery groups while being careful not to be just another recovery resource. We want to be a community resource with the needs of both recovering individuals and individuals who just want this alcohol-free entertainment option as well. Maintaining an alcohol and drug-free environment is not without its challenges either; recovering individuals relapse, and well-intentioned non-recovering individuals may show up with a glow occasionally, and a plan to address these issues and maintain the sober nature of this club need to be paramount. Pleasing everyone is also virtually impossible. We will strive to be inclusive to as many demographics as possible, with diversity in mind, and while we may discover a formula that works well, we must keep an open mind to changing with the times and clientele. As we progress, profitability and sustainability will be critical. We can ill afford to lose this resource once we get it established. Research and effort into understanding and avoiding potential demise will permeate the operating principles. Another aspect of good clean fun is what I like to call good dirty fun. Sometimes walking that fine line between risqué and politically correct allows for pleasing a broader clientele, but we must mind our P's and Q's. Sexually suggestive music, poker games, or adult behavior, if we go there, must be kept separate from the younger clientele and perhaps even kept in a back room of sorts. We could forego this last challenge, however; like I mentioned before many recovering individuals (and probably plenty of non-recovering folks, often enjoy thrill-seeking and stimulating, even arousing, behavior and activities and we don't want to leave them out of our itinerary. Perhaps curfews, after hours or adult only activities, secret knocks or passwords could very well be a part of this balancing act.
At the beginning of this project I identified some pretty obvious next steps to begin with that included meeting with stakeholders, beginning relational meetings and organizing strategies, researching the pros and cons of potential business types and models, finding an affordable and appropriate venue, and initiating a buzz to get people talking and excited about this prospect. In this next final segment I will explain how I began with these next steps and how they evolved and uncovered other possibilities and aspects of this endeavor I hadn't fully contemplated yet. I also want to incorporate the learning journeys of our class text, Wheately and Frieze's Walk Out Walk On, and how the principles of cultures throughout the world pertain to this endeavor and to my personal journey through this process.
As I explained in my final presentation, I didn't make as much process in all the areas I had hoped to, like looking for a venue, meeting with as many stakeholders as I would have liked, or having as many relational or strategy meetings as I though I might. I also didn't make research business models in full, nor did I put the full buzz blast out there like I could have. What I did do, however, was a little of all of those things while coming to realizations about myself and my community--my personal limitations, but mostly my strengths and potential and the resources at my and my communities' disposal that I had overlooked. I also discovered perceptions I hadn't considered as well as processes that might enable a more calculated and informed strategy.
I began by meeting with people I saw as leaders in the recovery community, most of whom were directors of nonprofit organizations who deliver services for the recovery community like housing, mentoring, treatment and support systems. We discussed this vision and potential business models--mostly profit vs. not for profit challenges and opportunities, and I learned just enough to be confused because both make sense and both have their advantages. What seems probable at some point may be to have part of the business ran as a nonprofit organization and part of it run as a for profit LLC, but we are still far from having to make those decisions yet. What I took away from these meetings, and the relational meetings I had with both recovering and non-recovering individuals, was enthusiasm for this idea and pledges for future support. Nearly everyone I spoke with were people I knew to at least some extent, and who knew of my contributions to the recovery community, and they were not only encouraging, but basically told me I was the best man for the job to rally the troops and get the ball rolling. They reminded me of my accomplishments and organizing abilities, and said they were behind me, but I am not sure I am the best man for the job or if I have the energy or time to take this on right now. Although it was a nice boost to my self esteem, my organizing senses tell me to continue networking and holding relational meetings until other leaders are identified to at least help, inspire and collaboratively take the necessary next steps of this journey.
I was also reminded of all the connections, supporters and relationships I developed in my professional life, and how meeting with those individuals could prove to be an essential piece in acquiring support at the state and national level, which would inevitably come in handy for potential future funding. As I write this my perspective switches from I to we, and all my capabilities, connections and accomplishments pale in comparison to those of my community collectively. Another goal this project has revealed is the quest for the designation of this type of club as a real service in the continuum of care. Perhaps someday recovery retention resources will be seen as a best practice worthy of steady funding like treatment and housing. The thought surfaced of contacting those responsible for the old federal RCSP grant that RAP and other agencies used to provide services, as did contacting the agencies across the country who still operate such recovery centers, to pick their brains and seek direction towards the goals of funding and designation. These seem like lofty goals to me, but at least I now see them as having potential to further our mission. At the very least, people with influence and power will know that the need still exists and what we are doing to try to meet that need. Perhaps if we keep them in the loop someday they will come to our aid and assist our efforts. But for now--back to reality for a minute--things may look very different as we begin this journey.
As people reminded me of past successes, I remembered just how those were accomplished; collectively, The concepts and principles of Walk Out Walk On began revealing themselves to me. The idea that the leaders we need are already here and that each person has something to give became evident when I thought of those leaders I spoke to, as well as the countless scores of people I have yet to meet. The theme of Joubert Park "Start anywhere, follow it everywhere" and the Zapatista's notion of being autonomous and finding our own means of accomplishing our goals within our local community lent hope to getting this endeavor off the ground without big time funding or outside support. We have what we need. We are creative. We make our path by walking it, and as this project is demonstrating; the path will reveal itself step by step. My recovering friends remind me that "people plan and God laughs", so while we may have a good idea of the course we should take, remembering that if we lean on the strength of community and our solidarity; it will guide us. We just need to have faith. Another world is indeed possible, and it is a good possibility that no one will come to help. Even if we look for such help, we can recall that much help comes in the form of intervention; interrupting our own process, and that as citizens in Columbus discovered, hosting forums to discover our own solutions may be our best bet.
The support we need is really already here. The idea of utilizing volunteers and the concept of being of service to our fellows is aligned with Ghandi's concept of swaraj; we have faith in the capacity of individuals in our own communities and rather than seeking the answers elsewhere we need only to look within ourselves and our fellows. It also lends for self-sufficiency and the notion of gifting rather than relying on transacting. We can turn to one another, and as we listen to even the whispers these ideas and the resources that come with them will continue to be revealed. The Kufunda villagers teach us the value of resilience and inefficiency.; their resourcefulness and willingness to look to their origins for answers, rather than the status quo, suggests that we utilize resources we may not typically consider. We can think outside the proverbial box and remain open-minded and willing to learn from the wisdom of our own community members. Perhaps my favorite example from our text is Brazil's Warriors Without Weapons' philosophy of making our work fun by shifting from power to play. There's no doubt this will be hard work, but if we don't force it and allow it to unfold playfully and celebrate our progress as it comes, it may not become so tedious or so serious that it ceases being fun. Having such a musical and game-related theme to this project really helps achieve this, as does incorporating children and the fresh new ideas of our community members. Our work can be an adventure; a journey; a joy.
In the bible, Matthew 7: 7-8 says "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". As we continue this effort, if we keep an open mind, curiosity, willingness, perseverance and the University Studies Goals of Social Responsibility, Appreciation of Diversity, Effective Communication and Critical Thinking at the forefront of our every action, we will receive these gifts and every journey we undertake will be satisfying and successful. While I started out with a dream, vision and game plan, I now realize that my best hope of fulfilling these is to ensure they are our dream, our vision and our game plan. While I can practice the faith necessary to believe this will happen as it is meant to happen, it still requires the courage to walk out of conventional means for accomplishing this goal and to walk on to the path that shall reveal itself and all the resources we will need as we go. It's time to keep having conversations and listening and allowing leaders to lead us to the solutions.
Some recovery groups put on potlucks and dances on a periodic basis, usually as fundraisers for campouts and conventions, but there aren't any consistent, daily or even weekly activities or events that provide some place to go and something to do for the thousands of recovering individuals in the metro area. Another inconsistency is the venue; these groups rent local grange halls or churches, but it is hard to keep track of where and when the next function is taking place without a great deal of flyers, time and volunteer effort, and inevitably many never hear about them despite all that. The idea of his clean club or drug-free entertainment zone is to have a permanent home, someplace consistent that people know about and know that there will always be something going on there. Online calendars and someone always available to answer calls at just one phone number would make planning weekly activities a breeze. Another benefit is that they can bring their children, parents, grandparents; anyone is welcome as long as they are sober and behave in a respectful and responsible manner, and you can save the babysitter money for drinks at the coffee or juice bar.
A lot of people like the atmosphere of a tavern, pub or club because of the lighting, music, karaoke, dancing, and games. While certain activities on certain days and in various areas of the building would be more business-like or quiet, intimate and perhaps better lit, unwinding in a chill, musical, festive ambiance and environment is appealing to many. There are hardly any entertainment or activity venues in the metro area that offer these services that don't sell alcohol or liquor, and, although sad but true, often where there's smoke there's fire; meaning that where alcohol is served, drugs are never too far away. Recovering individuals don't need those temptations, nor do children or teenagers, and many college students and adults as well desire a fun yet safe place to socialize, listen to good live music or just relax where drinking and all that comes with drinking isn't an issue. Don't get me wrong, many people enjoy unwinding with a few drinks, and many handle it just fine, but some don't and those that don't often wind up being victims or perpetrators. We wish to avoid all that goes with alcohol, hoping that patrons discover that getting high on life can be even more satisfying if given the right environment.
When I first got clean back in 1994, there was this recovery club that had live music and dances every single weekend. It was called the URS Club (unity, recovery, service) and they were also open every day for food, pool, pinball and recovery meetings. I tried going back to bars at first, but I felt like a fish out of water. I lacked the liquid courage to socialize or dance, and it seemed like as the night went on people either wanted to fight or make insulting passes at me, and in their inebriated state neither seemed too appealing. Besides, if I kept going to the barber shop, sooner or later I would get a haircut; meaning that I was tempting a fate that could be devastating for me. How long could I avoid drinking and drugs while hanging out in that chemical lair? It didn't take long to make the URS Club my new hangout, and many nights that place kept me from giving in to the boredom or insanity between my ears and going back out drinking or drugging. The URS Club still exists, but has moved a couple times, downsized and no longer has pool tables or any other games, dances, or adequate room or ambiance to just hang out comfortably.
Years passed by since the original club closed around 2000, and besides the aforementioned sporadic dances of the recovery groups, there was little to do that involved music or dancing that wasn't at a bar or club that served alcohol. I can't count the scores of recovering individuals that succumbed to the boredom and temped fate at such clubs to demoralizing and destructive ends that often included full blown relapses resulting in homelessness, jail or prison and even death. The need for an alternative was apparent to us, but to those providing other recovery services it seemed off the radar. Their focus was on more traditional services like prevention, detox, inpatient and outpatient treatment, housing and the rising mentor programs. All these services are pertinent on the continuum of care, but what about retention? How do we keep people in recovery? After treatment they just tell people to go to 12 step meetings and use what the learned at their cognitive/behavioral or moral recognition therapy sessions. We needed something else at the other end of the spectrum; a place to go and things to do to break up the monotony and isolation of everyday life. Recovering individuals often require more stimulation than the average person; they are often thrill-seekers, artists, concert-goers, and the like, and boredom is an enemy cloaked in the disguise of a responsible and productive lifestyle.
In 2005 I was working for the Recovery Association Project (RAP) as an Organizer and Outreach Coordinator. It was my job to organize the recovery community by holding relational meetings to discover pertinent issues to address, form strategy teams to formulate plans of action, and assemble power from throughout the broader community to make policy changes that not only helped recovering individuals but the broader community as well. We appealed to City and County Commissions, State Legislators and agencies for funding and policy amendments to create mentor and housing programs, and a variety of health and public safety practices to reduce addiction, relapse, crime and death. Upon investigating our next issue to advocate around, we made lists of the greatest challenges recovering individuals faced that included some place to go to find fellowship, support and have fun where they could bring their kids and be safe, so we began strategizing about how this might be done and the idea of a recovery community center came to light. We could, and perhaps should, have organized in our traditional fashion, but we knew RAP had money from a recovery community service provider (RCSP) grant from the federal government that could fund at least the start up and first couple years of such a center so we went to work.
After some controversial internal actions, RAP agreed to fund the project and within a few months the new RAP Center was open. The downstairs 3,000 square feet was our staff offices, board room, organizing headquarters and resource room, and the upstairs 3,000 square feet featured a great room with dance floor, adjacent snack bar, dining tables and chairs, a game room with sofas, pool tables, foosball, ping pong, darts and the like, a big meeting room that could hold 100 people easily, a smaller lounge-type room with sofas and tables and chairs where cards or cribbage were often played, and a good-sized child care room offered parents a much needed sanctuary and interlude from their typical grind. We had our grand opening in 2006 and within 6 months the RAP Center became financially self-supporting, including paying a part-time manager, and the place to be for recovering individuals in the metro area. At long last, we had a hub for recovery-retention activities that doubled (downstairs) as an organizing platform to further other agendas. It was absolutely glorious for about two and a half years. I had t leave RAP on difficult terms within that first year of the center being open, and have yet to discover the truth about why they closed it, but hear that it didn't fit within their advocacy mission and that they were never intended to be a service organization. It could have been a lack of funding for the rest of the building or a lack of willingness to continue running it. I plan on finding out so it doesn't happen again, but the fact remains that it closed and that void returned, sucking more and more people out into the perilous temptations of traditional adult civic entertainment.
More years passed by; It was 2010. A friend and I were driving around one winter weekend night and shared with each other our disappointment that there was nowhere for us to go to socialize or listen to good music that didn't serve alcohol. We decided to do something about it. I hired a DJ, rented a grange hall, made some flyers, posted on Facebook, and we had us a dance. It wasn't affiliated to any recovery group; we called it the Drug-Free Entertainment Zone, inspired by the Drug Free Zone signs the police put up near schools. It was a smashing success, and albeit far from profitable, it did a little more than break even and funded the next event; a live rock-n-roll show with three bands. Again, it was a great time and the buzz was beginning. We did a couple more shows, but our enthusiasm died down due to a combination of our our workload increasing and the usual recovery activities of spring time drew upon us. We were core players in those activities as well. and doing both was just too much for us so we let DFEZ just fade away. I kind of regret it now, but we did provide the best three years of recovery group activities ever here in the metro area that erroneously seemed to fill the gap in activities. In actuality, we stayed busy, but it was a lot of planning and organizing for monthly or bi-monthly activities. It was better than quarterly activities, but it was still sporadic and nomadic and we couldn't see the still existing outside need of the masses from within.
This past summer I helped with several outdoor music festivals for the recovery fellowships, but they were by no means all-inclusive or consistent, and the same old recognition of the need for a place like the old URS Club or RAP Center washed over me again. I had begun talking with a few individuals about trying to start a nonprofit or somehow getting a regular place going that I could just leave all my accumulated sound and lighting gear at so we could do regular shows, but it never got much past talk until now. I selected this idea, concept, vision, need, service--whatever it is--to be my Capstone project because I felt this assignment would allow me the time and accountability I needed to really look into what it would take to make this dream come true. Before I explain my actions and realizations of this project, I want to share that my motivation to get this type of club or community center up and running again stems from four sources. First, from my own personal experience; I know it saved me and has given me both purpose and sanctuary. Secondly, I hear it week in and week out from my peers, but the effort lacks leadership and resources, and many say they are willing to help once a viable effort is underway. Thirdly, when I help throw events, and individuals new to recovery tell me "Wow, I didn't know being clean could be so fun. Thank you"; I realize how essential it is to engage and retain people just discovering recovery. Finally, I owe it to all the people I have known throughout my twenty years of recovery who have come and gone too soon--for the ones who disappeared without a trace to the close friends who died from an overdose. I owe it to myself, my peers, those seeking a new way of life, and those who might still be with us if the retention resources were available.
The mission of this endeavor is to provide an essential resource that enables abstinence and retention to a recovery lifestyle that is both focused on entertainment and activities, and that is inclusive in the population it serves; to include those not in recovery themselves. The essential elements to ensure success include having a variety of activities for a variety of ages and tastes. For instance, rotating the genre of music each week of the month. It must have a sense of community where local groups have a place to meet to discuss issues that are important to them in both an educational and relational way, be safe for all ages and lifestyles, include a resource referral component, and in order to be financially viable as well as develop a sense of cohesion it will offer volunteer opportunities so those who could benefit from gift development and being of service to others can grow as this concept grows. Like I mentioned at the beginning of this article, being consistent and having both daily, weekly, and monthly activities and events that feature musical entertainment, comedy, fun and games is essential to long-term success.
The essential elements of this endeavor would include identifying start up capital and means for sustainable funding. We would also need a business board or committee to work collaboratively and within the same vision, mission and goals. When ready, we would need to acquiring a suitable, centrally-located venue and all the necessary furnishings, game tables, light and sound equipment, including food and beverage equipment and the permits to serve. Determining whether several small centers of one large central center would be more appropriate is one thing we would want to remain cognizant of. And finally, marketing to attract customers or consumers would be critical for sustainability.
Some of the challenges we expect to face, based on past experiences, might be maintaining nonpartisanship; meaning that the club is not catering to specific recovery groups, nor to just recovery groups. We want to include all recovery groups while being careful not to be just another recovery resource. We want to be a community resource with the needs of both recovering individuals and individuals who just want this alcohol-free entertainment option as well. Maintaining an alcohol and drug-free environment is not without its challenges either; recovering individuals relapse, and well-intentioned non-recovering individuals may show up with a glow occasionally, and a plan to address these issues and maintain the sober nature of this club need to be paramount. Pleasing everyone is also virtually impossible. We will strive to be inclusive to as many demographics as possible, with diversity in mind, and while we may discover a formula that works well, we must keep an open mind to changing with the times and clientele. As we progress, profitability and sustainability will be critical. We can ill afford to lose this resource once we get it established. Research and effort into understanding and avoiding potential demise will permeate the operating principles. Another aspect of good clean fun is what I like to call good dirty fun. Sometimes walking that fine line between risqué and politically correct allows for pleasing a broader clientele, but we must mind our P's and Q's. Sexually suggestive music, poker games, or adult behavior, if we go there, must be kept separate from the younger clientele and perhaps even kept in a back room of sorts. We could forego this last challenge, however; like I mentioned before many recovering individuals (and probably plenty of non-recovering folks, often enjoy thrill-seeking and stimulating, even arousing, behavior and activities and we don't want to leave them out of our itinerary. Perhaps curfews, after hours or adult only activities, secret knocks or passwords could very well be a part of this balancing act.
At the beginning of this project I identified some pretty obvious next steps to begin with that included meeting with stakeholders, beginning relational meetings and organizing strategies, researching the pros and cons of potential business types and models, finding an affordable and appropriate venue, and initiating a buzz to get people talking and excited about this prospect. In this next final segment I will explain how I began with these next steps and how they evolved and uncovered other possibilities and aspects of this endeavor I hadn't fully contemplated yet. I also want to incorporate the learning journeys of our class text, Wheately and Frieze's Walk Out Walk On, and how the principles of cultures throughout the world pertain to this endeavor and to my personal journey through this process.
As I explained in my final presentation, I didn't make as much process in all the areas I had hoped to, like looking for a venue, meeting with as many stakeholders as I would have liked, or having as many relational or strategy meetings as I though I might. I also didn't make research business models in full, nor did I put the full buzz blast out there like I could have. What I did do, however, was a little of all of those things while coming to realizations about myself and my community--my personal limitations, but mostly my strengths and potential and the resources at my and my communities' disposal that I had overlooked. I also discovered perceptions I hadn't considered as well as processes that might enable a more calculated and informed strategy.
I began by meeting with people I saw as leaders in the recovery community, most of whom were directors of nonprofit organizations who deliver services for the recovery community like housing, mentoring, treatment and support systems. We discussed this vision and potential business models--mostly profit vs. not for profit challenges and opportunities, and I learned just enough to be confused because both make sense and both have their advantages. What seems probable at some point may be to have part of the business ran as a nonprofit organization and part of it run as a for profit LLC, but we are still far from having to make those decisions yet. What I took away from these meetings, and the relational meetings I had with both recovering and non-recovering individuals, was enthusiasm for this idea and pledges for future support. Nearly everyone I spoke with were people I knew to at least some extent, and who knew of my contributions to the recovery community, and they were not only encouraging, but basically told me I was the best man for the job to rally the troops and get the ball rolling. They reminded me of my accomplishments and organizing abilities, and said they were behind me, but I am not sure I am the best man for the job or if I have the energy or time to take this on right now. Although it was a nice boost to my self esteem, my organizing senses tell me to continue networking and holding relational meetings until other leaders are identified to at least help, inspire and collaboratively take the necessary next steps of this journey.
I was also reminded of all the connections, supporters and relationships I developed in my professional life, and how meeting with those individuals could prove to be an essential piece in acquiring support at the state and national level, which would inevitably come in handy for potential future funding. As I write this my perspective switches from I to we, and all my capabilities, connections and accomplishments pale in comparison to those of my community collectively. Another goal this project has revealed is the quest for the designation of this type of club as a real service in the continuum of care. Perhaps someday recovery retention resources will be seen as a best practice worthy of steady funding like treatment and housing. The thought surfaced of contacting those responsible for the old federal RCSP grant that RAP and other agencies used to provide services, as did contacting the agencies across the country who still operate such recovery centers, to pick their brains and seek direction towards the goals of funding and designation. These seem like lofty goals to me, but at least I now see them as having potential to further our mission. At the very least, people with influence and power will know that the need still exists and what we are doing to try to meet that need. Perhaps if we keep them in the loop someday they will come to our aid and assist our efforts. But for now--back to reality for a minute--things may look very different as we begin this journey.
As people reminded me of past successes, I remembered just how those were accomplished; collectively, The concepts and principles of Walk Out Walk On began revealing themselves to me. The idea that the leaders we need are already here and that each person has something to give became evident when I thought of those leaders I spoke to, as well as the countless scores of people I have yet to meet. The theme of Joubert Park "Start anywhere, follow it everywhere" and the Zapatista's notion of being autonomous and finding our own means of accomplishing our goals within our local community lent hope to getting this endeavor off the ground without big time funding or outside support. We have what we need. We are creative. We make our path by walking it, and as this project is demonstrating; the path will reveal itself step by step. My recovering friends remind me that "people plan and God laughs", so while we may have a good idea of the course we should take, remembering that if we lean on the strength of community and our solidarity; it will guide us. We just need to have faith. Another world is indeed possible, and it is a good possibility that no one will come to help. Even if we look for such help, we can recall that much help comes in the form of intervention; interrupting our own process, and that as citizens in Columbus discovered, hosting forums to discover our own solutions may be our best bet.
The support we need is really already here. The idea of utilizing volunteers and the concept of being of service to our fellows is aligned with Ghandi's concept of swaraj; we have faith in the capacity of individuals in our own communities and rather than seeking the answers elsewhere we need only to look within ourselves and our fellows. It also lends for self-sufficiency and the notion of gifting rather than relying on transacting. We can turn to one another, and as we listen to even the whispers these ideas and the resources that come with them will continue to be revealed. The Kufunda villagers teach us the value of resilience and inefficiency.; their resourcefulness and willingness to look to their origins for answers, rather than the status quo, suggests that we utilize resources we may not typically consider. We can think outside the proverbial box and remain open-minded and willing to learn from the wisdom of our own community members. Perhaps my favorite example from our text is Brazil's Warriors Without Weapons' philosophy of making our work fun by shifting from power to play. There's no doubt this will be hard work, but if we don't force it and allow it to unfold playfully and celebrate our progress as it comes, it may not become so tedious or so serious that it ceases being fun. Having such a musical and game-related theme to this project really helps achieve this, as does incorporating children and the fresh new ideas of our community members. Our work can be an adventure; a journey; a joy.
In the bible, Matthew 7: 7-8 says "Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened". As we continue this effort, if we keep an open mind, curiosity, willingness, perseverance and the University Studies Goals of Social Responsibility, Appreciation of Diversity, Effective Communication and Critical Thinking at the forefront of our every action, we will receive these gifts and every journey we undertake will be satisfying and successful. While I started out with a dream, vision and game plan, I now realize that my best hope of fulfilling these is to ensure they are our dream, our vision and our game plan. While I can practice the faith necessary to believe this will happen as it is meant to happen, it still requires the courage to walk out of conventional means for accomplishing this goal and to walk on to the path that shall reveal itself and all the resources we will need as we go. It's time to keep having conversations and listening and allowing leaders to lead us to the solutions.