Club 12 Opens doors March 1

Recovery meets here.

Specifically, it meets in the new Club 12 fellowship hall, opening in Boone March 1.

For many years, addiction recovery 12-step programs in the area have been kept viable through the generosity of area churches for meeting space. The programs are vital to those seeking to overcome addiction and turn their lives around, but dealt with conflicting schedules and availability of space.

In December 2012, a group of men and women in the Boone area began with a little capital, donated furniture and many volunteer hours to create Club 12. The space opens its doors to those in need Friday, March 1, complete with meeting rooms, a kitchen, private discussion rooms and the Club 12 Bookstore of recovery literature.

“We are so grateful to the churches that have housed and will continue to house some of the groups,” a club founder said, “but we were ready to have our own space to expand our fellowship activities.”

Club 12 Inc. has been furnished, including a dishwasher and mugs to avoid disposable coffee cup waste, by member donations. The club is a self-supporting, nonprofit organization composed of due-paying members. It is operated by a volunteer, non-paid board of directors, elected annually by the membership. The program receives no government funding or support.

Costs for treatment facilities may be unreachable for many individuals in need, particularly those without health insurance. Many facilities include the 12-step programs in aftercare planning, and the court system directs some individuals to the 12-step programs.

“The need is clear for low cost, high return recovery programs,” a Club 12 spokesperson said. “Our facility provides such a sound, cost-effective base for an individual’s return to a productive life as a parent, professional or worker.”

Although there are membership dues for Club 12, there are no dues or fees associated with attending the meetings hosted at Club 12.

Alcoholics Anonymous, the most familiar and effective program for maintaining long-term sobriety, is the anchor for all that takes place at the club, although all addictions will be served. Those groups include Narcotics Anonymous, Alanon, Alateen (both for family members of alcoholics), Cocaine Anonymous, Adult Children of Alcoholics and Overeaters Anonymous.

As the club continues to grow, additional meeting times and fellowship social activities, such as dances, social activities and other outings, will be planned.

Meetings will continue across the area in other locations. For more information on meeting times, visit http://www.booneaa.org or email (club12boone@gmail.com)

Club 12 is located at 141 Health Center Drive, Suite A, in Boone. To get there from U.S. 421, turn onto Bamboo Road, right onto Brook Hollow Road, then right onto Health Center Drive. Follow the road around the Hunger Coalition, and the Club 12 entrance is the last door on the side of the building.

To make a tax-deductible contribution, mail checks payable to Club 12 Inc., P.O. Box 1727, Boone, N.C. 28607. For more information on becoming a member, attend one of the meetings listed in the side bar.