Community members exploring potential for a recovery drop-in center in Prairie

Members of the Prairie du Chien community have scheduled an organizational meeting for April 16 to explore the potential development of a recovery drop-in center. The meeting will be held in the community room on the second floor of the Prairie du Chien City Hall at 6 p.m.

Crawford County Circuit Court Judge Lynn Rider stated that the idea has been discussed among the county’s treatment court team, human services employees and representatives from churches in the area for “a period of time” and that there is a dearth of resources for individuals in recovery in the community.

“We need stable places in the community for people in recovery to live. We don’t have that. And we need a place for them to go for support,” Rider said.

Rider referenced the closure of a residential treatment facility several years ago, then stated the community had not replaced the social services provided there. Rider stated the proposed drop-in center would not provide clinical mental health services; instead, it would focus on the social aspects of recovery. A release from Rider credited the county’s “outstanding clinical treatment” provided by mental health professionals in the local community.

“We’re hoping to be able to provide things like yoga, mindfulness, anything that might be helpful,” Rider said. Other possible program ideas include fitness, connection to other services and providing a sense of community for people in need of support. Rider added that people who have struggled with substance abuse have done well in treatment plans but then struggled without a structured support system when the treatment plans are completed. The drop-in center could add a valuable piece for those in recovery to find purposefulness, belonging and a place to develop relationships in the community.

“We need a place in the community—and I think every community needs this—where you can socialize without drinking,” Rider stated. The drop-in center would be open to anyone in need or interested.

“We’re brainstorming what this place might look like and what we could offer that might be within the budget,” Rider said. The Crawford County Finance Committee allocated money toward a drop-in center project.

The initial meeting is expected to identify the most important needs in the community, evaluate possible location options and identify volunteer and employment needs for the center, among other topics.

For further information, interested parties can contact Heidi at 608-326-0205.