I recently read a very interesting article in the Windsor Star: “ ‘Not your regular coffee shop’ – Windsor’s ‘sober’ bar for recovering addicts gaining attention” by Sharon Hill March 21st, 2019. Spiritual Soldiers Coffee Compound in Windsor, ON has been gaining popularity in local media with its “call to action to promote awareness of addiction,” which is quoted directly from their mission statement. SoberNation wrote a promotional article highlighting the amazing work that this coffee shop has been doing in the southern-most city of Ontario: “‘Sober Bar’ and Coffee Shop Opens in Ontario to Help Those Struggling.”
The idea of having a coffee shop where addicts/alcoholics in Recovery can meet and socialize without the fear of stigmatization is a wonderful one.
Very often, after a Recovery meeting, people have nowhere to go and are left without the sense of security briefly provided at 12 Step tables. The formal structure of a Recovery meeting does not always allow or encourage the spontaneous development of acquaintances/friendships. Having a “Recovery-friendly” place to go to after a meeting, where peers can gather without fear of temptation and still be social is therefore a great idea.
The “meeting after the meeting” is often the place where real Recovery occurs. After all, without friends/acquaintances/contacts/sponsors in Recovery, the addict/alcoholic doesn’t have much of a chance in obtaining long-term quality Recovery. The best place to meet these friends/acquaintances/contacts/sponsors is in precisely such a Recovery-friendly venue. Sponsors and sponsees can meet before or after meetings to catch up over a (non-alcoholic) drink and work their programs among friends.
The idea has been such a success that a second coffee shop is being planned for London, Ontario in 2020.
This is a place (on 1015 Erie St. East in Windsor) where addicts/alcoholics can go with the clear understanding that they will not be judged or maligned by unfriendly or uneducated members of the general public. Here is a place where they can feel ‘part of’, instead of feeling like someone on the outside looking in. I visited it myself. It has a pleasant, friendly ambiance and the staff is very welcoming.
I wish the three founders Mike Brown, Bianca Oliverio and James Lucier continued success!
Spiritual Soldiers can be followed on Facebook or Instagram for more information and regular updates on their progress and success.
1 Comment
Leave your reply.