What’s been happening?
Since the beginning of the year we have been busy! To date we have held over 30 events in a multitude of areas to serve our friends in recovery. Additionally, we have continued our mission of creating and enhancing relationships with stakeholders in the community to ensure we are meeting the needs of those who walk through our doors. Below are a few of the amazing things that have taken place at the KCRCO in January and February:
First Friday Art Walk & Open Mic Night
We are an official location of Ellensburg’s First Friday Art walk. During the art walk we have an open mic for anyone to use and display local artists work. 2022’s art walk started in February and we had a great turnout! We currently have local artist Teresa Francois’s art up adorning our walls. Teresa is also a volunteer at the KCRCO and kicked of The Art of Recovery program during the art walk. We look forward to a year full of great opportunities to showcase local art and have our friends in recovery attend and join us for open mic night!
Recovery Yoga
Every Wednesday evening at 6pm the KCRCO hosts Recovery Yoga with Anita. This has been a well attended event from day one! We hear from Anita that she sees regulars being regular with attendance, and, new attendees showing up nearly every week. This is held in our comfortable upstairs space where the only thing someone needs to bring a willingness to enjoy an hour with Anita who leads the class with an open mind and heart to all skill levels.
Valentine’s Dance
Our first annual Valentine’s Dance was a huge success! Our board member Lyndsey planned and executed this event and it could not have gone better. The building was decorated for the occasion, had a great music playing, and there was even a cake walk! For the kids Lyndsey’s daughter Talley and her fiance Mikey put together a valentines themed art project while couples shared how they have success as couples in recovery. Our next dance will be in the spring!
Recovery Ally Training
In partnership with CWU’s Wellness Center & the Kittitas County Health Network the KCRCO hosted the first Recovery All Training for local professionals, business owners, and community members. The training was given my Elizabeth Patti from the CWU Wellness Center with an introduction by our President/Founder David Douglas. This training helped to educated attendees on the what a substance use disorder as a health condition, how to use non-stigmatizing language, and where resources are in the community for those that may need help. The training had amazing discussion afterward and more of these trainings are in the works. All attendees left with a KCRCO Recovery Ally Sticker to proudly display where they see fit in the community.
Fitness Club
Our Fitness Club, lead by board member Sarah Cannon, has been growing rapidly. The club currently meets the first Saturday of each month at 10am. Each month we see now regular attendees, and, new attendees! During the winter months the group does walks through downtown and beyond enjoying some light exercise, morning coffee, and time to get to know each other. Plans are in the works for ventures that will take the club on hikes, camping trips. Just this last weekend, following our Art of Recovery program members of the group went on an impromptu hike to Umptanum Falls!
Improvements to the KCRCO building
The building has seen some nice improvement with trim work, added furniture pieces, a brand new ping pong table, and, a very soon to be completed kitchenette space. A local volunteer, Bryan Yeck, has spearheaded the kitchenette design and installation. Local craftsman John Ulery has crafted beautiful handrails and applied gorgeous trim work through the building. Office space and blinds for our amazing front windows are next up!
Connections
We have seen how all of the above activities and progress have begun to do exactly what we have as our vision and mission with the KCRCO. Through each event, through each training, through each activity that bring people within and outside the recovery together, we see the bonds created and enhanced. As the space and activities that are created within it are launched we enjoy seeing how they help our friends in recovery. We look forward to seeing this continue to happen throughout 2022!