LEXINGTON, Ky. — The Recovery Café, a community space and resource center, is collecting essential winter items to support marginalized groups who may experience the harsh effects of winter outdoors.
The organization’s members hope to keep Lexington’s more vulnerable individuals warm before the winter hits. The center’s assistant executive director, Aaron Guldenschuh-Gatten, explained that the facility opened its doors during the pandemic, and it’s been growing ever since.
“We get a lot of our funding from grants, and while we’re able to buy some supplies for people who are struggling with their recovery journey, [we’re] not able to meet the demand of those we serve,” Gatten said.
Some of those items include emergency blankets, mylar blankets, hand warmers, backpacks, sleeping bags and tents. “People find a place where they’re able to camp. We also need things like hand sanitizer and masks,” Gatten said.
Socks, underwear and coats are also acceptable items you can donate. These are things Gatten said are often taken for granted. Situations involving mental health factors can also prevent individuals from seeking and or receiving shelter and more during the winter months.
“Many of the shelters are at capacity. They don’t have a space for people. Some people face barriers because they have mental health challenges and they’ve been asked to come back to the shelters.” Gatten continued.
For over two years, the Recovery Café has worked to be a pillar in the addiction rehabilitation community by providing everything from food to physical space and mental health services.
Continuing those efforts this winter, the facility will provide as much support as possible to those currently unsheltered and or in recovery.
“If you think about not having a place to store your items, a lot of the items get lost and need to be replaced, so we are addressing this issue by trying to rely on committee partners,” Gatten said. “We can’t do what we do alone. We need committee partners to help us meet the needs of those living outside.”
Not only can their members rely on the center for these resources, but Gatten said it serves as their home during these times and beyond.
The center works with organizations like the University of Kentucky, AVOL Kentucky, and a dozen others around central Kentucky to help support the center’s mission.
Often, situations involving mental health factors and more can prevent individuals from seeking and or receiving shelter and more during the winter months.
“Many of the shelters are at capacity. They don’t have a space for people. Some people face barriers because they have mental health challenges and they’ve been asked to come back to the shelters.” Gatten explained.
For over two years, the Recovery Café has worked to be a pillar in the addiction rehabilitation community by providing everything from food to resources, space, and mental health services.
Continuing those efforts this winter, the facility wants to step forward and help provide as much support to those currently unsheltered and or in recovery.
“If you think about not having a place to store your items, a lot of the items get lost and need to be replaced, so we are addressing this issue by trying to rely on committee partners,” Gatten said. “We can’t do what we do alone. We need committee partners to help us meet the needs of those living outside.”
Not only can their members rely on the center for these resources, but Gatten said it serves as their home during these times and beyond.
The center works with organizations like the University of Kentucky, AVOL Kentucky, and a dozen others around central Kentucky to help support the center’s mission.