Recovery Cafe (Update)

what's recovery cafe? im new to the area, never heard of it

we have more than enough problems. let's get rid of it.

where is this place located

1516 E. 87th Street. In the heart of the 87th street shopping district (across the street from Pete's Produce).

This is a project we donot need in our community, I'm with you
Lynn, lets come together and STOP it.
We must also deal with the issue of "FORECLOSURES" in our
community.

Oh dear. I'm usually all about holding hands and getting along. But I can see how a meth clinic is not necessarily something you want in your space. I finally figured out I'm in you ward and may have some resources to help.

Wishing you the best...

need more info, why did it close, how long has it been there b4 being closed, has there been trouble or problems b4 the closing. Need more info to determine if I'm for it or against it.

It will take a while for them to get up and started again because of the need to transfer back the patients that they previouly had or create a new roster for the State of IL.....because methadone is regulated by FDA....also if the residents in the 1500 block of E. 86th PL continue to pressure them it could be shut down totally....key word possiblity of diversion of drugs.

Here is a description of what Recovery Cafe is all about.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v0MqcYe9C3w

Were there a lot of incidents connected directly to Recovery Cafe when it was opened? Actually I passed there a while back and thought it was a coffee shop, said I was going to stop in (LOL!!). If people are trying to get help, as a community, we need to support that. We also need to be concerned about our safety, but generally people who are seeking help are of no threat. Its a great resource for the suffers in our community. We have bigger concerns, like the one's serving the real heroin, than to oppose something designed to help abolish the problem.

Inatead of trying to close it down. How about proposing a new site? There is definitely a need for the service but it's kind of goofball to place those types of services in a residential area trying to improve itself. The same thing happened to the Jesus Saves mission in the south loop. As south loop improved, it was forced down to canal street behind the bus depot. Still in the community and close to public transit, just not a disturbance. Things like that should always be tucked away. No one wants that sort of service visible in their neighbrhood. It makes a rather backward statement about the people who live there.

That's a good idea Ava. Pacific Gardens Mission had other issues besides the redevelopment of the South Loop. The building was very old and then there was a "political corruption money" (for lack of a better description) issue. The Recovery Cafe seemed very "discreet", like I said I thought it was a Coffee Shop. In brief, I just want to encourage the community not to protest its existence. These type of organizations help people and are totally necessary in our fight to better our quality of life. If a person hooked on drugs is doing anything positive to overcome their problem, then the organizations are vital to that struggle. Their survival (funding) is in jeopardy, therefore they are struggling without us fighting them. The alternative to their existence is that the person is active in crime or hanging on the corner which affects our quality of life in a more dangerous way. The battle is not with the organizations which contribute to the solution, rather with the people who contribute to the problem. Our fighting resources need to be directed to the source of the problem.

I read what others are saying about the Recovery Cafe....be it understood everyone who come for methadone is not always looking to kick their addiction to herion.....there is such a thing as drug diversion....when an addict choose to take the drugs and sell them....if you want to know how a community really has to be very viglant when an organization like that come into a residential community....just do some research on where their are some for profit methadone clinics in the City.....and inquire about some of the issues that the community encounter.

Compliance Officer..... I can make a case that anything has the potential for being abused. I must admit I don't know a lot about the Recovery Cafe and its past history, but I tend to keep up with crime in the community. I don't recall being led to the conclusion that crime spiked because of its existence. Anytime you mention drugs and rehabilitation, a certain stigma presents itself. Generally, that's because of the way addicts are portrayed during their addiction. There are stages to recovery, and if an addict is going to go to a Methadone Clinic daily, most have a genuine determination for getting clean. Abuse in anything exists as long as there are dollars involved. (Loose cigarettes at most gas stations, panhandling by healthy people in wheelchairs, illegal cabbing). I feel there will be a downside, but the majority of the individuals utilizing the facility will be genuine. There will be an avenue of abuse, but the majority of that will probably be imported there from somewhere else in the community. So basically the primary abuse factor probably already exists. I cannot believe that someone trading methadone for cash or other drugs will do it at the facility. I read in another post that they have a security guard, probably for that reason. From the video I viewed on You Tube the facility does more than methadone , job readiness and GED, which are vital assets to the community and cannot be abused. In brief, looking at the assets the facility can provide and not the stigma surrounding heroin addicts, along with the individual track record of their previous stay, are we being fair to attempt to ban them from the community?

You're posing some pretty good points Triche7. I'm just positing here but I think that maybe the clinic is a bit more contentious because of the perception of it gives about the neighborhood. It seems as if the organization took some steps to conceal it by calling it a cafe, making the exterior nondescript, etc. (I thought it was a diner too). Maybe we can look at other models of successful service centers in other neighborhoods around Chicago, (the brown and halsted centers in boystown, the Austin PCC wellness center in Austin) to see if there isn't some workable conclusion.

Ava I totally agree. There is research to be done but there are so many variables I feel its going to come down to simple pros and cons. There is an advantage in that it already existed and has a track record. Is it good or bad? I have planned (started) to do a little research but what we're trying to determine may be a little hard to put together. It may simply come down to a matter of heart. Do they have the potential to help more than they hurt? Will the community at large benefit more than they are "inconvenienced"? I know the people living in the immediate area will suffer the most "inconvenience" but it may be worth the trade off. It may help people on the block, possibly even family members, and you have the potential of getting a little more police presence. I'm campaigning so hard because my belief in the solution to society's illness is helping the hurting people. Heroin has affected our young drastically (not as bad as crack) and the solution lies in cleaning them up and having THEM campaigning into the future. I feel its a chance we need to take. I'm not going to come with the "If it helps one its worth it" because that's not realistic. Nevertheless, the benefit can outweigh the "inconvenience". There are a lot of people in the community that need the services. It won't abolish all the issues in the community but it will a key ingredient to the solution.

Some of your points are well taken.....but there still remains the fact that any place where there is DEA Regulated despensing of drugs always brings about foot traffic.....and one unarmed security gaurd will not stop the sell nor the diversion of the drugs....and yes this can happen further down the street.....if you have never work at a clinic nor lived in the community where a methadone clinic existed then you surely need to do your research....because there are communities that have been greatly impacted by the type of covert establishment of this business (Methadone clinics).....all you have to do is go on Madision & Central Park and look around.....Austin area.....and see the results......Clinics that come into the community and work with the residents are more likely to have more of a favorable outcome of the operation and communication.....Again If the Recovery Cafe was going to be an avenue that provided social services for their patients than they should have collaborated with the community.....not set up without imput form the community and certainly not in hinesight because that becomes questionable.....your motives than are for profit.

Another point is that only in our communities can establishments like this come in on the covert and make a profit on our people only to say that we are trying to help better people......but yet they exclude us from sitting at the table and holding them accountable for what they are doing in our community....and is it going well for everyone ( patients, residents, other businesses)......no more.

Point well taken. The community should have input that is respected and responded to. Generally the assumption is if there is nothing to hide a business will solicit the community's input. You pointing out the undercover opening raises a flag. Making the comparison of a clinic on Madison and Central Park to this one is unfair. They could open a police station on Madison and Central Park and be unable to clean it up. Our neighborhood is no where near the condition that area has been for the last 25 years and we won't let it get to that. Granted, it will create foot traffic, but that's where the fight lies. Keep the foot traffic exactly that. They must be responsible to keep their clients moving. Handle your business and move on. There is an establishment on 85th or 86th and Stoney that offers similar services (methadone excluded) but you would never know from the way they operate. We shouldn't just allow them to come in as rogues, but under our guidelines. IF ANYONE HEARS OF ANY MEETINGS CONCERNING THE RE-OPENING PLEASE POST OR E-MAIL ME DIRECTLY AT triche7@yahoo.com. Also,I would like to add this is a pleasurable "debate" and my interest lies first in the community then with the ills of our society. It may seem that my "argument" is all for the social service agency, but in order to promote these types of establishments (designed to help people) there has to be sacrifice. We need to consider if their potential benefit to society is worth the sacrifice to our community. I know others are reading this so please chime in.

I have to disagree with the above comment, When you have no input 87th can look like Madison/central in no time. Madison.Central used to look like 87th looks now.

It is apparent that she has not gone to the Westside in a long time when blacks before the riots of 68 had decent living enviornment and community........ I am a homeowner not a renter who pay property taxes......economy is bad enough...I don't need my property to depreciate I want the value to appreciate......see if someone can now go to Damen/Madison and open up a Methadone clinic.....those people in the 2nd Ward will stand up and fight.....and they would be sitting at the table before this business ever opened up......because those homes/property value were once going for 25,000 for a graystone as is.....now worth 400,000 to 500,000.......so you do the math.

Madison and Central did look like 87th at one time. It got ravaged in the riots of '68 and has declined every since. I personally believe that times are different and we do have more input. I more blame the political structure of Chicago for the conditions on the far West Side than I blame the residents, even though they hold (held) major responsibility. This is a different topic, but after the riot there was little revenue put into rebuilding the West Side.

I spoke to someone I know on a personal level who is a law enforcement official in Evanston. Evanston residents and Northwestern University don't take no mess. There is a methadone clinic there and very few incidents are directly related to it. Basically, he says the same thing I do. Most of the people utilizing the services of the clinic are there on business, trying to better themselves. They are not trouble makers. In talking with individuals in my personal circle, the majority oppose me, saying they wouldn't want it in their backyard. The reason (and some were affected by argument) is the stigma attached to addicts. I stand firm that we need to not stigmatize people based on their past behavior. If they aren't helped our quality of life will never get better. We need them to get better, and make a positive impact on society. We can't say they will cause trouble because of the probability that they once did.

I cannot see the clinic causing property value to depreciate. It sits in the business district. Actually, it will have a more positive effect on your property value than being vacant would. It won't cause it to appreciate either, but few businesses do. They are selling points, but usually not factored into market value. You mention Madison and Damen..... United Center.....Stroger Hospital. Stroger, need I say more? I don't think Recovery Cafe could cause a tenth of the foot traffic and undesirable activity that Stroger has.

We need to go sit at the table before Recovery Cafe reopens. I really tend to wonder if opposition to it would be strong enough to stop it. Maybe now is the time to set conditions with the threat of fighting its reopening.

I think one thing that is being missed is the fact that Alderman do not have the power they once had. Yes, in the past they could use all type of political maneuvers to stop someone from opening a business in their ward. Now, because the city has been sued and lost numerous cases over this, the Alderman have been stripped of that power.

The law as it stands as long as a business meeting the zoning requirements for that location it can open without Aldermandic approval. The city only notifies the Alderman that the business is open.

The Alderman can only fight this showing that the business is a public nuisance and its tough to prove it.

We got to learn the rules of the game before we can play or we will be complaining for years to come.

Is there an avenue the community can take to voice their concerns? How can we be heard? I agree that it will be a situation that's very hard to fight. Nevertheless, we need to have our concerns heard and recorded. And IF it turns out to be a nuisance, we already have a "complaint" in place. I agree on the "rules of the game" comment but feel that you need to do what you can. My avenue would be to attempt to have certain conditions of the reopening heard, not to fight it. Like more security, more police presence, a strict no-loitering rule, a liaison or avenue the residents in the immediate area can voice their on going concerns to. How would you feel about that Compliance Officer? How do your other neighbors feel on this issue?

Before the United Center there was the Old Stadium.....before the parking lots for the United Center there were homes.....before drugs raveged that community there were people who stood to make a better life for their children....how I know is because I lived in that community......what I saw does not compare to your sometimes unrealtic approach assesments of facts....when multiple variables are applied they cam impact a community....either you are unaware of the regentafication that took place after the drugs.....decreased property value....dispair....and people wanting better than living below poverty standards...... you are unaware.....then Social Service agencies reached out to the community....some did great things and some took from the community.....Now you are very much miss informed if by any strech of the imagination that everyone who will come to the clinic on 87th street is looking to get better.....and by the way those indiviuals in Evanston are proprably the professors that are teaching at Northwesten.....therefore they are more of afluent crowd of people who want to maintain their employment and the quality of their lives......never the less it is always important for people to be informed of their options and have a voice to speak.

I don't have an issue with that......I just want them to know is that we have a standard of living that we will fight to protect.....and not allow our communtiy to suffer any way the lack of businesses giving back in a positive way to our bottom line.....and that is respect what people have worked for and value what the 8th Ward residents are trying to take to the next level......therefore if Alderman Harris is available and wanting to set up a meeting with the Community and the 8th Ward residents....than I am more than willing to meet with the Recovery Cafe....this should have been the same mode of operations with HAPPY's

There is suppose to be a community organization working in that area. The Avalon Park Community Council, who is suppose to meet at the Chase on 82nd Cottage. I do not know if they are still operating. If a group of residents are interested they need to write to the owner requesting a meeting and I would copy Alderman Harris on the letter. Make sure there is contact information so you can get contacted and the Alderman knows its legit.

Hello all,

If you're looking to take action here is what I can offer in terms of best process from my experience. Hope this helps...

Process
1) Establish stake holders (residents in close radius? The neighborhood? The ward?)

2) Bring stakeholders together to establish whether or not there is enough reasonable evidence, consensus, will and manpower to close the thing all together.

     -a)If so, skip the alderman gather evidence, elect a head and file suit.

     -b)If not, the letter for meeting request should be headed and followed up by a face to face or over the phone friendly conversation with the decision maker for Recovery (not always the director or owner)

2) Establish one or two voices for stakeholders. Hold meeting with Recovery with specific needs and wants outlined for peaceful coexistence..

3) Take action from there. If Recovery refuses to cooperate or waffles, threaten suit and follow through. 

But the most important thing is to first establish the stakeholders and what the stakeholders want by a clear consensus and transparent process. There may be residents who feel like Triche7 and others who align closer to Compliance and Concerned. Otherwise you'll end up fighting each other in the process.

Hopefully I can find the PDF from mediators training. I'll post the link here.

I am not opposed to people getting the needed services that will help them improve the quality of their life......what I am opposed to is how one goes about doing this at the expense of others....therefore I precieve the entire community as stakeholders: children walking to school, elderly who bank at Citibank, people who shop at Pete's Produce, elderly who get their coffee at Mc Donald's.....the surrounding business.....the Barbar Shop, Dentist office (Dr. James).....and for those of you who maybe unaware.....they just got Mc Donald's management from allowing the gangs of teenagers in whiteshirts from hanging around there and threating customers...there was also a shooting in June at the gas station at 87th & Dorchester...see all this has happened on 87th St within the last year.....yes we need combined voices to be heard......in addition for those of you who are also unaware one of the youngmen who were arrested for the incident in Streeterville lived on 84th & Dorchester.....so those of you who live in other parts of the 8th Ward are truly unaware of what we the residents of 16th precient of 8th Ward have been dealing with.

You can go around the Alderman initially but she will eventually have to be included because City Hall is going to contact her and she is the one who will eventually settle the dispute if the parties can't get together.

As I stated earlier in the week, Ald Harris sent a letter out (to a select group of residents) about the July 12 hearing at city hall regarding Recovery Cafe. Please don't be fooled people; at some point before this facility opened and during all the complaints and problems with this facility, the alderman met with the owners.

When she ran for re-election (after being appointed) she stated several times throughout her campaign that any new business that came into the ward would have to come across her desk and be approved by her. Your alderman is in the mix of all of this and if she did not want this facility in our ward, it would have never opened in the first place. By sending the letters she can always back trot and say "I sent a letter to my constituents and told them to be at the hearing on July 12 and no one showed up".

WAKE UP PEOPLE!

Well she might have stated that she will look at every business which is partially true. She is notified of every business license filing in her ward, so that is true. The law states that she cannot stop a business that meets zoning for the specific location unless it creates a public nuisance. Proving "public nuisance" is difficult. I believe she probably has had conversations with them, what the discussions have entailed is the question and I would suggest a certified letter be sent asking her to respond to your complaints. If she doesn't then take it to the next step, the media.

@ Concerned Citizens. The media is also a good route if you dont receive a response from the alderman. I would only stress that you have one voice. Other than that, the media is a very viable option.