Category: News

Recovery Cafe Spokane recognized as a full member of the Recovery Café Network

by Char Ladyman, posted in News, Recovery Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 20, 2019

                                                 

Jill Johnson

Communications Director

Community-Minded Enterprises

(509) 822-8040

JillJ@community-minded.org

 

Two Milestones for Recovery Café Spokane in February

 Spokane, Wash.  —   Recovery Café Spokane celebrates its two-year anniversary in Peaceful Valley in February.  In 2017, the café transformed an abandoned city building into what is now a thriving center where people can maintain their recovery, reduce relapses, fulfill their potential and reclaim their lives.

“It is exciting to see how the café has grown in just two years,” said Georgia Butler, Director of Recovery Community Services at the café. “When we opened the doors, we had a handful of members. Today our membership is over 75,” Butler added.

The anniversary comes as the café is recognized as a full member of the Recovery Café Network, one of only three in the nation to receive the distinction in 2019. “We are honored to have earned this designation,” said Lee Williams, Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises, the parent organization of Recovery Café Spokane. “The café has impacted so many lives in a short amount of time. We look forward to the support offered by the network as the café continues to grow.” Williams added.

Recovery Café Spokane has been working for over a year to become a certified member of the Recovery Café Network. Earlier this year the café underwent an on-site evaluation, the final step in certification.

To become a full member of the Recovery Café Network, Recovery Café Spokane had to demonstrate its diligence in the following core commitments:

  • Creating a community space that is drug and alcohol free, embracing, and healing
  • Nurturing structures of loving accountability called Recovery Circles
  • Empowering every member to be a contributor
  • Raising up member leaders
  • Ensuring responsible stewardship

The cafe is located at 214 North Cedar Street in Spokane. Visitors are always welcome.

About Recovery Café Spokane

Membership is FREE and open to anyone. Members are required to:

  • Be 24-hours alcohol and drug free
  • Attend a weekly Recovery Circle
  • Help out at the café or support a member

 Recovery Café Schedule

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at noon – free lunch for members
  • Fridays at 10:30am – new member orientation

Contact Recovery Café Spokane at (509) 960-8529 or recoverycafe@community-minded.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RecoveryCafeSpokane/.

 

 About Recovery Café Network

 The Recovery Café Network is a program of Recovery Café in Seattle that seeks to foster long-term recovery for individuals been traumatized by homelessness, addiction and other mental health challenges across the United States. Founded in 2004 in downtown Seattle, Recovery Café has grown to serve over 900 members annually.  Learn more at www.recoverycafenetwork.org.

 

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Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director Announces Retirement after 14 Years of Service

by Char Ladyman, posted in Aging, CMTV14, Early Learning, News, Plan to Work, Recovery Services, Spokane Helpline

Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director Announces Retirement after 14 Years of Service

Spokane, Wash. — Community-Minded Enterprises’ Executive Director will be stepping down at the end of the year. Kathy Thamm informed the CME Board of her retirement earlier this summer.
“Kathy has done a fantastic job as Executive Director, leading CME through lean times, rebuilding our core initiatives, and leaving us well positioned for the future,” said Chris Kelly, Board Chair. “Although we’re sorry to see her go, we wish her all the best as she pursues her retirement plans”.
Thamm started at CME in 2004, as the Early Learning Initiative Director. In that role, Thamm was instrumental in the formation of a statewide quality ratings improvement system (QRIS) for child care. CME piloted QRIS which later became Early Achievers. Thamm led that work, expanding the program from Spokane County to all of Eastern Washington. She also saw the need to bring financial stability to child care and established business training specifically for child care facilities. At the federal, state and local level, Thamm reached out to lawmakers to advance early learning legislation.
“Kathy’s work will leave a lasting impression on families and the early learning community, not only in Spokane but across the state,” said Mary Ellen Braks, Library Services Manager for the Spokane County Library District.
In 2012, Thamm was made Executive Director, growing the company from 20 employees to more than 50. Under her leadership, CME received the When Work Works Award multiple times and most recently was cited as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest.

Accomplishments as Executive Director include establishing CME’s Resource Center for Early Learning Professionals, adding an office in Pasco, with a staff of 15, building a state of the art television studio to CMTV14, and the recent launch Recovery Café Spokane.

Thamm made it a priority to hire with intent, bringing diversity to CME’s workforce. As Executive Director, she also sought out programs that supported the social determinants of health, including Medicaid transformation.

Thamm credits her success to a great team and a supportive Board of Directors. “I will miss the daily excitement of coming to work,” said Thamm. As she reflected on her time with the organization, Thamm said, “I’ve really enjoyed the entrepreneurial spirit fostered within CME. It’s always been a place that fosters innovated programs.”

As Executive Director, Thamm was involved in a variety of community programs including:
• Excelerate Success Executive Leadership Team – Spokane County United Way
• Director’s Team – Spokane County United Way
• Public Policy Committee – Greater Spokane Incorporated
• STEM Leadership Team – Greater Spokane Incorporated
• Leadership Team – Better Health Together
• Past President, Child Care Aware of Washington Statewide Network
• Former Board Member – Downtown Spokane Partnership
• Founding member of Inland Northwest Early Learning Alliance
• Board member Health Improvement Partnership (HIP of Spokane County), CME’s original name

Thamm will stay on until the CME Board hires a new Executive Director. That search is currently underway.

 

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Community-Minded Enterprises Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest

by Char Ladyman, posted in Aging, CMTV14, Early Learning, Plan to Work, Recovery Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 25, 2018

                                           

Jill Johnson

Communications Director  

Community-Minded Enterprises

(509) 822-8040

JillJ@community-minded.org

 

Community-Minded Enterprises Recognized as one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest

Community-Minded Enterprise one of 35 companies to be honored September 26th

 

Spokane, Wash.  —   Community-Minded Enterprise (CME) has been named one of the Best Places to Work in the Inland Northwest. The Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list is created by the Journal of Business and Best Companies Group.

To determine the Best Places to Work Inland Northwest list, companies from across the region participated in a two-part survey process. The first part consisted of evaluating each nominated company’s workplace policies, practices, philosophy, systems, and demographics.

The second part consisted of an employee survey to measure the employee experience. The combined scores determined the top companies and the final ranking. Best Companies Group managed the overall registration and survey process, analyzed the data, and determined the final rankings.

CME is one of 35 companies to make the list and be recognized. “We are thrilled to be included,” said Kathy Thamm, Executive Director for Community-Minded Enterprises. “The programs and people at CME make this a great place to work” Thamm added.

Community-Minded Enterprises and the other list-making companies will be honored at an awards ceremony on September 26, 2018, at the Davenport Grand Hotel in Spokane.  The rankings will be published in the September 27 issue of the Journal of Business.

Community-Minded Enterprises is a Spokane based nonprofit with more than 50 employees. CME has four offices in Spokane and one in Pasco.

Programs include:

  • ·         Recovery Community Services and Recovery Café Spokane – Assisting adults in drug and alcohol recovery
  • ·         Plan to Work – Assisting people transitioning from Social Security Benefits to employment
  • ·         Early Achievers – Offering coaching and technical assistance to child care providers to improve quality
  • ·         CMTV14 – Community access television and digital media service
  • ·         Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) – Free preschool to qualifying families located in Browne’s Addition
  • ·         Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)- Serving Air Force Families who have a child with special needs
  • ·         Child Care Assistance Program (CCAP) – Providing parents in outpatient substance abuse treatment with access to quality child care

For more on CME’s programs go to: www.community-minded.org or find us on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/communityminded/.

 

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Hands Across the Falls 2018

by Char Ladyman, posted in Recovery Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 12, 2018

Jill Johnson

Communications Director

Community-Minded Enterprises

(509) 822-8040

JillJ@community-minded.org

 

Hands Across the Falls Returns to Spokane, Saturday, September 29th

Hundreds expected to line the Monroe Street Bridge to Celebrate Recovery

Spokane, Wash.  —   Hands Across the Falls (HAF) returns to Spokane Saturday, September 29 on the iconic Monroe Street Bridge. Recovery Café Spokane, the host for the event, created HAF as a public show of support celebrating recovery.

This event is for anyone – those touched by addiction or not. “Recovery should be celebrated,” said Georgia Butler, Director of Recovery Community Services at the Café. “Seeking help is a sign of strength not weakness,” added Butler.

Attendees are encouraged to bring a banner in support of recovery. Those connected with a treatment agency are encouraged to wear a shirt with their organization’s logo.

Last year HAF brought out more than 450 people; 2018 promises to be even larger, with more sponsors and agencies signing on to take part.

Logistics and Timeline

  • Those attending are asked to gather on the Northside of Monroe Street Bridge. Due to construction, south end access is discouraged.
  • Recovery Café Spokane asks that people arrive by 11:30am to receive final instructions.
  • Just before noon, attendees will be led onto the bridge.
  • At noon, a firetruck will sound a horn signifying the start of the event. At that time, everyone will join hands and stand quietly for four minutes.
  • Immediately following, there will be a Resource Fair at the lot on the Northside of the bridge, with all kinds of great information.  Food truck vendors will also be on site.

 

To mark the event, attendees will receive a commemorative medal. Hands Across the Falls shirts will also be available for purchase.

 

This event would not be possible without the support of Amerigroup, United Healthcare, Molina and American Behavioral Health Services.

About Recovery Café Spokane

Recovery Café Spokane is a project of the Spokane based non-profit Community-Minded Enterprises.

It was founded in February 2017 with a mission to serve people in recovery. Programs are designed to help people maintain their recovery, reduce relapses, fulfill their potential and reclaim their lives.

 Membership is FREE and open to anyone. Members are required to:

  1. Be 24-hours alcohol and drug free
  2. Attend a weekly Recovery Circle
  3. Help out at the café or support a member

 Recovery Café Schedule

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at noon – free lunch for members
  • Fridays at 10:30am – new member orientation

Contact Recovery Café Spokane at (509) 960-8529 or recoverycafe@community-minded.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RecoveryCafeSpokane/.

 

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Combating America’s Opioid Crisis Here in Spokane

by Char Ladyman, posted in News, Recovery Services

Combating America’s Opioid Crisis Here in Spokane 

According to the National Institute on Drug Abuse more than 115 people in the United States die every day after overdosing.

It is an epidemic. An epidemic Spokane’s Recovery Café (RCS) is battling, offering peer-to-peer mentoring, weekly support groups and education to those in recovery.

In the midst of this crisis, lawmakers are looking for solutions.  Representative Cathy McMorris Rodges is one of them.  She visited the Café and has been a champion of its work ever since.

In a June 26, editorial in The Spokesman-Review entitled “We’re Working to Combat America’s Opioid Crisis” the Congresswoman mentioned the Café. She said of the café and its team, “They are doing great work to create a community for people who are in recovery from opioid or other addiction.”

With the support of the community, RCS is committed to being a place of hope for those in recovery and their families.  The Café is grateful for the bipartisan support it has received since opening in February 2017.

About Us

Recovery Café Spokane is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving people in recovery. We are a program of Community-Minded Enterprises, and operate on state, federal and private funding as well as donations.  We have about 85 active members, and focus on serving people in Spokane County. Find us at 214 N Cedar Street. Learn more at https://community-minded.org/recoverycafe/ 

Recovery Cafe and Peer Support Counseling

by Char Ladyman, posted in Recovery Services

Peer Support Counseling

One of the things that sets Recovery Café Spokane (RCS) apart is that it offers peer counseling.  That means clients receive help from recovery coaches who have been there. RCS coaches are in recovery themselves, and it’s that peer-to-peer mentoring that is crucial in helping clients maintain their sobriety.

But it doesn’t stop there.  Most people who come to the café also have mental health issues. That’s why staff get an extra level of training. The café has three staff members who are Certified Peer Counselors with the Washington State Department of Mental Health.

The certification process requires 40 hour of training, plus a written and oral exam. An 80% or better score is required to pass.  In addition, Certified Peer Counselors must have “lived experience” so they can fully understand what clients are going through.

The certification is one more way the café is making sure it adheres to the highest standards. Sort of a seal of approval by the State of Washington. “It helps us better serve our members with co-occurring disorders” said Georgia Butler who runs the café.

There are many organizations that focus strictly on mental health. Recovery Café Spokane seeks to provide mental health support as part of its overall mission to serve people in recovery. A community based approach that is changing lives, one person at a time.

Recovery Café Spokane Awarded $50,000 Grant from the Recovery Café Network

by Char Ladyman, posted in News, Recovery Services

It has been a busy year for Recovery Café Spokane. In September, the Café hosted its first annual Hand Across the Falls event and was the recipient of a makeover courtesy of KXLY’s Extreme Team.

Now, more exciting news to share. The Café was awarded a grant worth up to $50,000 from the Seattle based Recovery Café Network.

“We are honored to be chosen, and are grateful to the Recovery Café Network for its support of our work” said Georgia Butler, Recovery Community Services Director. “This year has truly been one of blessings for the Café.”

The money is earmarked for general operating expenses. It can also be used for fundraising, with an added incentive that allows the Café to receive additional funding. For every dollar raised, the Recovery Café Network will match it, up to $10,000.  If you’d like to make a donation to Recovery Café Spokane, you can do so using PayPal by clicking here. Recovery Café Spokane is part of Community-Minded Enterprises, a 501c nonprofit.

Recovery Café Spokane currently has 64 members. Membership is open to anyone. Members must be 24-hours alcohol and drug free, attend a weekly Recovery Circle and help at the Café or support a member.

Lunch is provided free of charge to members on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. New member orientations are held the first and third Fridays of the month at 10:30am.

Hundreds Expected to Line Spokane’s Monroe Street Bridge Saturday September 30th at Noon to Celebrate Recovery

by Char Ladyman, posted in News, Recovery Services

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 26, 2017

Jill Johnson

Communications Specialist

Community-Minded Enterprises

(509) 822-8040

JillJ@community-minded.org

 

Spokane, Wash.  —   Recovery Café Spokane is bringing Hands Across the Falls to Spokane Saturday, September 30. The event is designed as a public show of support celebrating recovery.

“This is the first of its kind in Spokane,” said Kathy Thamm, Executive Director of Community-Minded Enterprises, the parent organization of Recovery Café Spokane. “We want this event to be a way for members of the community to show their support for those who have overcome addiction.”

Organizers expect several hundred attendees. The first 500 will receive a commemorative medal. Family, friends and individuals who support recovery are encouraged to attend.

Logistics:

Those attending are asked to gather on either side of the Monroe Street Bridge – Kendall Yards to the North and Main Avenue at the Spokane Club to the South. Recovery Café Spokane asks that people arrive by 11:30am to receive final instructions.

Just before noon, the crowds gathered at each end will be led onto the bridge by a drum team from the Spokane Tribe and a color guard. At noon, everyone will join hands and stand quietly for four minutes while bells ring from Our Lady of Lourdes Cathedral.

Immediately Following:

The public is invited to attend an open house at Recovery Café Spokane, which is located in the old Peaceful Valley Community Center, 214 N Cedar St. The café is getting a makeover September 25-28 courtesy of KXLY and the Extreme Team. This will be the public’s first chance to see the renovated café.  There will also be resources available for people interested in recovery services and supports in Spokane.

Extra Info:

  • A shuttle will be available for those who have difficulty walking.
  • My Fresh Basket is offering anyone with a medal a free 8-ounce cup of coffee and 5% off purchases on September 30.
  • Attendees can show their support online, by providing their name, email address and organization if affiliated with one. (Email addresses will not be made public)
  • September is National Recovery Month.
  • Hands Across the Falls is modeled after events in other cities, like Hands Across the Bridge, which draws a large crowd in Vancouver, Washington.

This event would not be possible without the support of United Healthcare Community Plan and AscendA.

About Recovery Café Spokane

Recovery Café Spokane is a project of the Spokane based non-profit Community-Minded Enterprises.

 It was founded in February 2017 with a mission to serve people in recovery. Programs are designed to help people maintain their recovery, reduce relapses, fulfill their potential and reclaim their lives.

 Membership is FREE and open to anyone. Members are required to:

  1. Be 24-hours alcohol and drug free
  2. Attend a weekly Recovery Circle
  3. Help out at the café or support a member

 Recovery Café Schedule

  • Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at noon – free lunch for members
  • Fridays at 10:30am – new member orientation

Contact Recovery Café Spokane at (509) 960-8529 or recoverycafe@community-minded.org. Find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RecoveryCafeSpokane/.

 

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The Recovery Cafe Model

by Char Ladyman, posted in News, Recovery Services

In 2015, Community-Minded Enterprises launched Access to Recovery (ATR) providing free and low cost assistance to men and women recovering from drug and alcohol addiction in Spokane.

In 2017, Recovery Café Spokane opened its doors in Peaceful Valley, offering people in recovery a place to drop in and get support  – whether that is a meal, a friendly ear to listen to, job training or a life enriching class.

Statistics taken from the Life in Recovery Survey, conducted by Alexandre Laudet, P.h.D. in collaboration with Faces & Voices of Recovery.

CME once again honored with the “When Work Works” award

by Char Ladyman, posted in CMTV14, Early Learning, News, Plan to Work, Recovery Services, Spokane Helpline

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 13, 2017                                           

Traci Logan-Demus

Community-Minded Enterprises

(509) 960-7455

Tracil@community-minded.org

 

For the 5th Consecutive Year Community-Minded Enterprises is Recognized for Innovative and Effective Workplace Practices

Spokane, Wash.  — Community-Minded Enterprises (CME) has once again been honored with the “When Work Works” award for exemplary workplace practices by the Society for Human Resource Management.

The award recognizes employers that offer flexible scheduling and transition to parenthood programs as well as opportunities for learning, a culture of respect and trust, and job autonomy.

Community-Minded Enterprises was singled out for its workforce flexibility with 2/3 of its staff regularly working in the field. CME also scored high for its benefits package and employee satisfaction.

“We are thrilled to receive this award for the fifth time,” said Executive Director Kathy Thamm. “We are committed to providing a work environment that supports our staff personally and professionally.”

In applying for the award, Community-Minded Enterprises was evaluated on factors associated with employee health, well-being and engagement: opportunities for learning; a culture of trust; work-life fit; supervisor support for work success; autonomy; and satisfaction with earnings, benefits and opportunities for advancement.

When Work Works is a national initiative led by the Society for Human Resource Management. To learn more go to www.whenworkworks.org/

Community-Minded Enterprises is a Spokane based non-profit with 54 employees. CME has four offices in Spokane and one in Pasco. Programs include:

  • Community-Minded Television (CMTV14) providing low cost video production and free program submissions
  • Early Achievers helping early learning teachers improve classroom quality
  • Access to Recovery (ATR) assisting people recovering from drug and alcohol addiction
  • Plan to Work helping people receiving social security benefits get a job
  • Community Living Connections offering free information to the elderly and people with disabilities

For more on CME’s programs go to www.community-minded.org/