New center opens to help with addiction and mental health challenges

A nonprofit organization that supports those with substance and mental health issues opens a new center in Hamilton County this week.

Recovery Café Executive Director Joylyn Foli said it serves as a resource hub that provides information about additional support services to help them not just survive but thrive.

“One of our mottos around the Recovery Café is everyone is recovering from something,” Foli said. “So, when we think of the word recovery, a lot of the time we're thinking of addiction to substances and alcohol, that is definitely, you know, a demographic that we really support. And we do typically have a lot of but also, we were to support people that are suffering from homelessness, mental illness, maybe domestic violence.”

The program is membership-based.

“There are evidence-based studies in support that show when people you know, have connection and have support from their community, they are really able to heal and thrive. And so, we’re just a community center, where we welcome whomever that wants to come in, and it's completely free membership, “ Foli said.  “They use recovery coaches to help support people that are needing support, and then provide meals daily.”

There are 15 Recovery Cafés in Indiana and 50 in the U.S.

“It's really an amazing model.  The Recovery Café network may really kind of prop you up and support you. So, you're not having to reinvent the wheel. And it's just been extremely effective,” Foli said.

The new café opens Thursday, March 2 from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Eller House in Fishers, 7050 E. 116th St. Suite 100.

.Contact WFYI Morning Edition newscaster and reporter Taylor Bennett at tbennett@wfyi.org. Follow on Twitter: @TaylorB2213.