Recovery Café Longmont member Zach found an unexpected silver lining when he was diagnosed with COVID-19 a few weeks ago. Although the experience was stressful, it didn’t shake his commitment to recovery.
“With not much to do but eat and sleep, I turned that time into a refresher and a reset. I got through it peacefully,” he says.
Zach is currently staying at a shelter in Fort Collins, and can attest to the measures they’re taking to keep people safe. “They woke me up early before anyone else and told me I tested positive for COVID-19. I had to move to a different shelter with others who tested positive and had to stay in for nine days without leaving. It was almost like jail, in that I was forced to be there, but all in all it wasn’t that bad.”
Virtual Connection Makes a Difference
An enthusiastic member of the Recovery Café Longmont community, Zach treasures the connection he has with our staff and members, even while our physical doors are temporarily closed. As he recently shared with Becky, one of our peer support specialists, “It’s just great to be able to keep in touch with you. Not seeing members face to face is a little sad, but I know I will see them again. I love having you as a support on my recovery road. Talking things out with you helps me a lot too.”
Our peer support specialists check in with all of our members at least once a week through phone calls, texts, and emails. We receive endless positive feedback from our members, many of whom are thankful that someone cares enough to make sure they’re okay. Although it’s not the same as connecting in person, it’s one way we can keep letting members know that they are a valued part of our community
Zach’s experience speaks to the power of the Recovery Café model. While continuing to work on his own recovery, he is also committed to paying it forward. “When I meet people who are struggling, I talk about my recovery and tell them about the Café if they need support. I want to help others the same way I got help. I want to spread the word.”
Hopes for 2021
After all of the chaos of 2020, Zach has a few hopes for the new year: “I hope to have a better place to live and work so I can stay busy and not relapse on myself. I want to help others who can see the recovery road to get on that path to get going.”
Here’s to walking alongside each other on the recovery road in 2021!
To be a member at the Café, you need to be drug and alcohol free for 24-hours, contribute to running the Café and to the healing of others, AND attend a weekly Recovery Circle. Membership is free. While the Café is temporarily closed because of COVID-19 restrictions, virtual support, including weekly Recovery Circles, is available. Call 720-815-2885 to connect and learn more.
