A West Michigan non-profit and a new alcohol-free bar aim to support sober lifestyles by tackling addiction’s root causes and offering community connections.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — As we settle into the new year and how we can better ourselves, some look to cut back on or quit drinking altogether.
One West Michigan non-profit wants people who may be struggling with addiction to know they’re not alone.
Helene Dallas Chandler has been in recovery from alcoholism for the past 15 years and has found belonging in ‘Community Recovery.’
“I’ve gotten a lot of help in my recovery process and made a lot of connections with people that are now actually family to me, and I also facilitate our life skills group,” Chandler said.
The initiative bridges those in recovery to different organizations and groups to help them make positive transformations.
Pastor and Community Recovery founder Mark Vander Meer said that the goal of the non-profit is to address the root causes that can lead to addiction, and not the substance abuse itself.
“The perception is, ‘oh, recovery, oh, it’s about alcohol, or that’s about drugs or just addiction in those areas,’ it’s about all of life. And we want that’s the other barrier we want to break down,” Vander Meer said.
It’s not just non-profits helping people live a sober lifestyle in Grand Rapids.
Small business owner Joseff VanHorn is set to open ‘Cafe Jazzy Rose,’ a new spirit-free cocktail bar aimed at the growing demographic of younger people who are reducing their alcohol consumption.
“You can come out and enjoy great food and have a nice atmosphere where you can be social and do everything you want to do, but you just don’t have the alcohol involved,” VanHorn said.
As for Chandler, she encourages anyone who might want to make a change to reach out and look for help.
“It’s never too late to get help and to better your life and just coming through these doors once may change your life forever, like it did for me,” Chandler said.
The Community Recovery group meets every Friday at the New Community Church, and Cafe Jazzy Roze is set to open in the next few weeks.