Upcoming Events, Retreats, courses, service projects & alcohol-free Trips
(DTB) Mindfulness is a six-week course for Café RE members only. Times are Tuesday nights at 8:30 PM EDT (UTC -04:00) for 75 minutes, followed by a 15 minute informal “parking lot” open discussion. This course will focus on the practice of mindfulness and carving out space between the trigger and response. Our recommended text will be “Peace is Every Step: The Path to Mindfulness in Everyday Life” by Thich Nhat Hanh. We will have suggested readings and practices during the week and time to review them as a class each Tuesday. Our goal is to examine our mind as we work towards freedom from alcohol. We do this work together in a supportive and compassionate community. This course is included with Café RE membership.
Join us on Saturday, September 17th in Denver, Colorado for a day of service in collaboration with Colorado Artists in Recovery and the Free Spiritual Community. We will be doing some outdoor work, planting and creating a child-centric outdoor space to support Free’s programming geared towards children impacted by addiction. This hands-on-activity will strengthen our community as we lift up others. The completion of this project provides the most perfect opportunity to celebrate our work, our recovery, and our connection to one another. Dinner will be provided on-site at the Free Cafe and who knows maybe even a Ukulele or two will make an appearance. This event is for Café RE members.
Join us Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. EST for 7 consecutive Saturdays. Classes are 75 minutes including 15 minutes for dedicated Q&A. Classes will take place on Zoom and each session will be recorded with links to the videos emailed to you along with the course materials. In this course you’ll learn the basics of photography, how to take captivating photos, and how to use a camera. You can use your smart phone for this course as well. Join your WhatsApp accountability group to share photos of the week. Build community with others who no longer drink alcohol and also have a shared passion in photography. Registration opens September, 1st.
RESTORE is our intensive sobriety course geared towards the newcomer. This is much more than a 30-day alcohol-free challenge – It represents you having the courage and openness to listen to the body and make a major change in your life. In this 14 session course, we’ll cover different recovery paths, is A.A. right for you, how to build community, techniques for calming the mind, spirituality, mindfulness, meditation, and the best part is you won’t be alone. You’ll join fellow course attendees on Zoom and classes are both lecture and small group discussions. Homework and resources are emailed after each class. Classes start Sunday, January 1st at 3:00 pm EST and course days are Sundays, Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
This course takes place on Saturdays at 12 PM EST for 7 weeks starting February 4th, 2022. It’s important that we create a life that no longer requires alcohol and learning this compact instrument is a fun way to do that! This course is for the beginner Ukulele student and prior experience isn’t necessary. You’ll learn the basics of the Ukulele: how to hold the instrument, how to tune it, major/minor chords, basic strumming patterns, a simple scale, a couple catchy tunes, and more. In addition, we’ll also be covering key recovery topics, and ways the ukulele can help you quit drinking.
The Recovery Elevator Costa Rica 2023 retreat is catered towards individuals who want to travel with other alcohol-free travelers. The opposite of addiction is connection and this trip is all about connecting! If you love adventure, this trip is for you. We kick off in San Jose, head to La Fortuna/Arenal, then to Rincón de la Vieja Volcano National Park, then to the beach town of playa Carillo before heading back to San Jose. Included in this trip are stand up paddle board lessons, surf lessons, thermal hot springs, a volcanic mud bath, 4 yoga classes, and 3 recovery workshops. As they say in Costa Rica – Pura Vida 🤙
Recovery Elevator in Costa Rica 🤙 January 2022
Alcohol-Free Travel
See The World In Ways You’ve Never Imagined
Traveling the world with other like-minded individuals is an absolute blast. There is an
Hear what people have to say about these life changing events!
“Going to Costa Rica with Recovery Elevator was a dream. Everything about the trip was amazing, but traveling and connecting with a group of people whom I knew would only support my sobriety was irreplaceable. I can’t wait for future sober travel with Recovery Elevator! “
“Costa Rica was the adventure I needed! I made loads of connections and new sober friends. Between our excursions, workshops, and games we made lasting bonds while traveling Costa Rica. I would do it again in a heartbeat! “
“I have to say that traveling to a foreign country during the omicron surge brought up some anxiety. I had to talk myself into getting on the plane to San Jose. However once I got there I knew I was safe. I quickly realized Recovery Elevator had it under control. The tour company they hired, G Adventures, planned out the top three sites to see from waterfalls in La Fortuna to zip lining in Monte Verde and topped it off in Manuel Antonio where we spotted some amazing wildlife. Recovery Elevator picked a beautiful country that was inspiring to continue my recovery journey and continue to heal alongside of others desiring the same thing… Sober connection and adventure. The recovery workshops that were included were amazing including my first experience with breath-work. Not only did I feel safe among this group but I felt proud strong and inspired. I’m glad I silenced Bruno and went on this trip – I’m stronger for it and made some amazing memories and sober friends.”
“Costa Rica was my first experience going on a sober vacation. It was extremely important in my early sobriety to prove to myself that I could indeed have fun without drinking. The RE group that I went with was incredible. It was so refreshing to be with a group of people (people I had never met before) and feel so comfortable and at home. Expanding my social network is key in moving away from the self-isolation behavior that kept me drinking for years. I look forward to my next RE get-together.”
“Costa Rica for me was an extraordinary sober adventure. The days were full of nonstop challenges and many fun things to do which definitely took me out of my comfort zone. Many new connections were made and memories that I will never forget.”
“In October 2018 I had the good fortune of being able to travel to Peru with Paul and the RE community. Not only did I gain some new lifetime friends, but we were able to perform service work and quickly developed heartfelt connections within a local Peruvian community. I’ve been forever changed by the experiences on that trip, and I’m looking forward to future adventures with this group!”