Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

EVERETT — Jack Morrison knew: If he didn’t stop using drugs, he was going to die.

“It was just a matter of time,” Morrison said.

With help from the Everett Gospel Mission, he checked into a Lynnwood detox facility.

“Five days later, I was out of there and back at the mission,” Morrison said.

At a 12-step program a few weeks later, someone asked him if he wanted to go to “the cafe.”

Morrison hesitated — he didn’t have any money.

No money was needed.

The cafe was the Everett Recovery Cafe. The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

Want to check it out or become a member? Just stop by.

Located in the old Everett Public Market at 1212 California Ave., the Recovery Cafe is open Monday through Friday, noon to 5:30 p.m.

Take a seat at one of a dozen tables, or pull up a chair next to a window overlooking the waterfront.

“Anyone is welcome to visit as a guest for the day, we only ask they be sober in this space,” executive director Kyle Roscoe said.

When Morrison stepped through the door, he wasn’t sure what to expect.

“I am not exaggerating — I felt nothing but compassion and acceptance,” he said.

Nine years later, tears still come to his eyes.

“The road from addiction to recovery is confusing and scary,” he said. “You’re essentially rewriting your life – and I was 50.”

Founded 10 years ago by Wendy Grove, a former teacher in the Snohomish School District, the Everett location welcomes more than 100 people a day, Roscoe said.

In October, the Cafe welcomed 1,978 visitors and served 1,700 free meals.

Joining is simple.

Attend a new member orientation and sign up for one of the Cafe’s weekly recovery circles, said Julie Bergstrom, one of 30 recovery coaches. Members can also meet with a coach for one-on-one help.

‘Isolation is what hurts’

“If you need to recover, isolation is what hurts, and community fixes that,” Roscoe said. “We act as a community for people recovering from all kinds of stuff from substance abuse to loneliness and the trauma in-between.”

The cafe can also “bridge the gap,” and help members achieve their goals.

“If your goal is to go from living in your car to living in a recovery house we can help with that,” Roscoe said. “If you have housing and a job but want to earn a college degree as part of your recovery journey, we can help with that.”

The first recovery cafe was founded 20 years ago in Seattle. Today there are 70 throughout the country, including Mount Vernon, Port Townsend, Tacoma and Spokane.

Besides free meals and coffee — this day’s special was a Snicker Bar Mocha — the center offers free classes in yoga, finance and art, said Ali Salim, the cafe’s lead administrator.

“I started as a member, Ali started as a member,” said resource coordinator Krystle Drake. “We’re not above one another. We’re all on the same journey.”

There aren’t too many places in Everett or Snohomish County where people in need “can go and feel safe,” said Fred Ross with The Change Program, which helps BIPOC men and women returning from prison.

Plus, “it’s a place where people can have fun,” said Ross, visiting the cafe to offer information about The Change.

Every fourth Friday, the cafe hosts an open mic night with music, karaoke, poetry and stories.

‘They helped me heal’

“I came for the food. I was living in my car. They didn’t just feed me, they listened, they hugged, they helped me heal,” a member wrote on the Everett cafe’s Facebook page. “They were my biggest support in my first months clean.”

State and federal grants provide about 80% of the cafe’s budget. Donations cover the remainder.

There are 300 members, but the waiting list sometimes tops 100, Roscoe said. Boosting the number of private donations would help reduce the number, he said.

Additional funding could also further the cafe’s dream of establishing a location in south Everett or south Snohomish County, he said.

“For every 100 people that walk in here; 92 say their lives are better because of us,” said Roscoe, citing a recent in-house survey. “I think we’re hitting a pretty good number. We would love to make it bigger.”

After being a member for several years, the cafe asked Morrison if he wanted to be a recovery coach. “And then a few days later, they asked if I wanted to be an employee,” he said.

Today, Morrison brings his insight and experience to the job.

“There are a lot of emotional battles going on when somebody goes into recovery,” he explained. “Not having that drug or drink begins a mourning process. It’s as if someone close to you died,” he said.

Love is the balm.

“Gathering around that person, showing them love, showing them compassion is probably the most essential part of recovery,” he said.

Janice Podsada is a freelance writer and former employee of the Everett Herald.

Everett Recovery Cafe: 1212 California St., Everett

Hours: Monday through Friday; noon-5:30 p.m.

Website: everettrecoverycafe.org

Phone: 425-258-5630