[0:00] Welcome to the ONS podcast with your [0:03] host Lana Jacobson. [0:05] >> Welcome back you guys to our ONS [0:07] podcast. ONS stands for Office of [0:10] Neighborhood Safety. I'm your host Lenia [0:11] Jacobson and I am a member of the ONS [0:14] team. This podcast was created for [0:16] departments like us and community [0:18] organizations to come on and talk about [0:20] our services. All of our episodes are [0:23] about connecting you to alternative [0:24] public safety measures, programs, and [0:26] your local growth and healing [0:28] opportunities. Today, St. Paul, we are [0:30] connecting with a place called Recovery [0:33] Cafe St. Paul. Talking about an issue [0:37] that is no stranger to us and is a [0:40] public health issue that weighs very [0:42] heavy in certain areas throughout the [0:44] city versus others. We are talking about [0:47] substance abuse and how it not only [0:49] impacts you if you are suffering from [0:52] this disorder, but you are also a victim [0:56] if you are a family member of someone [0:58] struggling, a co-orker, a neighbor, a [1:01] business owner, and a passer buyer, just [1:03] to name a few. The bottom line is if [1:06] someone is struggling with substance [1:08] abuse, it has an impact on everyone. And [1:11] it's not just the problem of the person [1:13] dealing with the disorder. One thing [1:16] that I believe is when we're a [1:19] community, when one hurts, we all hurt. [1:22] Recovery Cafe is a space for our [1:24] neighbors who are struggling with [1:26] substance abuse, mental health, and [1:27] homelessness. City of St. Paul, please [1:30] help me welcome Tasha and Mag. Tasha is [1:33] the executive director of Recovery Cafe [1:36] Frogtown. Tasha, tell us a little bit [1:38] about yourself. [1:39] >> Let's see. I'm a mother of five. I have [1:42] six grandchildren. I grew up right next [1:45] door to Recovery Cafe Frogtown. So, it's [1:48] ironic. It's like the world just brings [1:51] you back to your roots. [1:52] >> Wow. [1:53] >> Yeah, it's it was pretty cool. I was [1:54] there in in the early 80s. Lived on the [1:57] east side for a majority of my life and [2:00] then we moved to Hugo and raised our [2:02] children up there. Um but somehow God [2:04] placed me right back in the heart of [2:06] Frog Town. [2:07] >> Okay. Yep. Amen. Do you have kids? [2:10] >> I have I have five kids. [2:12] >> Okay. six grandkids. [2:13] >> Wow. [2:14] >> And our baby just got married last [2:17] Friday. [2:17] >> Oh, how sweet. [2:19] >> Yeah. So, now we're empty nesters. So, [2:20] it's weird. Like, she literally moved [2:23] out a week before and it's like [2:25] >> now what do we do? It's just it's a [2:27] whole [2:28] >> How old is she? [2:29] >> 22. [2:30] >> Oh, wow. That's amazing. Well, [2:32] congratulations. [2:33] >> Thank you. [2:34] >> What color did you wear? [2:36] >> I wore navy blue with some gold lacy [2:38] stuff on top. That was beautiful, but [2:40] her dress wasn't more beautiful. [2:42] >> Oh, was it? I bet it Well, I'm sure it [2:43] was. [2:44] >> Yeah. [2:44] >> So, she did navy blue and white or ivory [2:47] or [2:48] >> her colors were a dark green. [2:51] >> Okay. [2:51] >> And so, I don't know if it's traditional [2:54] for the mom to wear a certain color, but [2:56] I chose navy blue. [2:59] But you can do what you want to do. [3:00] Right. Right. [3:02] >> Nice to meet you. So, I have some [3:04] icebreaker questions really quick. [3:06] Tulips or roses? You have to pick one. [3:09] roses. [3:09] >> Okay. Double date or my partner is [3:13] enough for me to handle on my own. I [3:15] don't need them embarrassing me in front [3:17] of other people. [3:18] >> Oh goodness, [laughter] [3:19] that's kind of Yeah, that that's the a [3:22] double-edged question because I really [3:23] do enjoy spending time with him. [3:25] >> But we've been together 30 years, so [3:27] it's really entertaining to be out with [3:29] other people and just, you know, laugh [3:32] and learn and [3:33] >> Yeah. Okay. Christmas tree real or fake? [3:38] >> Oh, definitely real. [3:39] >> Okay. [3:40] >> Real [laughter] [3:41] >> lights on the house or I don't want all [3:43] those holes and my siding. [3:46] >> I would if I had somebody that could do [3:48] it for me, but um I So, in all honesty, [3:53] >> I kept my Christmas tree up until May [3:56] last year. [3:56] >> Oh my goodness. [3:57] >> And I'm not even kidding with the lights [3:58] on it. everything. It was like it [4:00] brought me joy like just to sit and [4:02] relax at night and turn all the lights [4:04] off and have those lights on. [4:05] >> It really [4:06] >> I'm sure it is um what do I want to say? [4:10] One of those things that kind of fools [4:11] your mental so it sets you in a happier [4:14] mood or sets you in some sort of mood or [4:16] something like that. [4:17] >> Definitely. [4:18] >> Yeah. Next to her we have Meg who is a [4:21] recovery advocator. Hi Meg. [4:23] >> Hi. [4:24] >> Welcome. Tell us a little bit about [4:26] yourself. [4:27] >> Sure. Uh, well, my name is Meg and I'm a [4:30] person in long-term recovery. [4:32] >> Okay. [4:32] >> What that means to me is I am a free [4:35] woman. I am now a mother to my children [4:40] and I am a grandmother. [4:42] I can now vote. [4:44] I have a life that is free of chemicals [4:49] and alcohol. I have joy in my life. [4:52] >> Amen. and I'm a accountable human being [4:57] in our society today. [4:58] >> Congratulations. Thank you for being [5:00] here. [5:01] >> Thank you. [5:01] >> So Meg, questions for you. Lilacs or [5:04] daisies? [5:06] >> Lilacs. [5:06] >> Okay. It's cold outside. Hand me my PJs, [5:11] a warm blanket, and the remote. Or it's [5:14] cold outside. Hand me my long johns, a [5:17] sweater, my down jacket. I'm going out. [5:20] Oh, I'm wrapped up in a blanket [5:22] >> on the on the couch. [5:23] >> Oh, absolutely. [5:24] >> What are you watching? [5:26] >> Oh, sports. [5:27] >> Okay. [5:29] Uh, hot chocolate or Coca-Cola? [5:32] >> Oh, hot chocolate. [5:33] >> All right. Okay. Tuna [snorts] melt or [5:36] patty melt? [5:37] >> Oh, probably a tuna melt. [5:39] >> Okay. I know. I love tuna melts. [5:42] [laughter] [5:44] [snorts] All right, let's jump right [5:45] into these questions. What is Recovery [5:49] Cafe, Tasha? [5:50] >> So, it's a safe and sober space for [5:52] people in the community to come into get [5:55] resources, connect with others, really [5:58] just to be known and loved, to be [6:00] accepted. I mean, our world's so crazy [6:02] right now. So, we really need to have [6:04] places and spaces that we can be in, be [6:07] our authentic selves, and just enjoy [6:09] life together. [6:10] >> And how did you guys get started? Um it [6:13] was back in oh gosh during CO which was [6:16] a crazy time but um the church that [6:19] we're renting space in was struggling [6:22] and um my co-founder she was struggling [6:25] as well and so we were looking for [6:27] something she actually was online [6:29] looking at sober opportunities [6:31] >> and the recovery cafe network is based [6:34] out of Seattle Washington. [6:35] >> Okay. and in her Google feed, this model [6:38] came up, which is ironic cuz normally [6:40] when you're, you know, searching for [6:42] something, it's local. [6:43] >> So, it was weird that something out of [6:45] Seattle came here. And so, she looked it [6:47] up, looked it over, and she really [6:49] enjoyed it and thought, "Hey, let's [6:50] bring something here and we can help the [6:52] church out. The church can help us out [6:54] and we can build together." And so, um, [6:57] so she proposed it to me as her and I [7:00] have been friends since kindergarten and [7:02] I had lived in the house next door. She [7:04] lived around the corner. We both went to [7:06] kindergarten to third grade together at [7:08] Jackson Elementary. [7:09] >> Oh my goodness. [7:10] >> So long, long time ago. But yeah, so um [7:13] we approached the church. We got voted [7:15] in to start the program. We started it [7:17] on Zoom because it was during CO. Okay. [7:20] >> Um so that spring we did what's called a [7:22] peer recovery circle. And that is [7:25] literally the foundation of our program [7:26] is that circle. Um we meet it's the same [7:29] people that meet once a week. They talk [7:31] about their challenges. They talk about [7:33] their successes and then they set [7:34] intentional goals for the following [7:36] week. So that way when we come back to [7:38] meet, we can hold each other [7:40] accountable. We can check in with each [7:42] other where you're struggling at. We can [7:44] celebrate each other and all of our [7:45] successes and just walk alongside each [7:48] other. And being that it's the same [7:49] group of people, you're building [7:50] relationships, you're building trust, [7:52] you're building a foundation, you're [7:53] building a family unit. [7:55] >> Um, so that's the that's the pure joy of [7:58] our model. [7:59] >> Okay. Okay. And I know you covered this [8:01] a little bit, but what problematic need [8:04] are you addressing in our Frogtown area? [8:07] >> So, we have addiction, we have mental [8:10] health challenges, we have grief, we [8:12] have food, eating disorders. Um, we have [8:16] homelessness. [8:18] >> We're we're addressing a little bit of [8:20] everything. [8:22] >> That's awesome. And that's amazing. [8:24] Where did your passion for this work [8:26] come from? [8:28] Well, growing up, we didn't have a [8:30] stable life. Um, we as our family moved, [8:35] I counted one time and it was 13 times [8:38] from the time that I could remember [8:40] until the time I graduated high school. [8:42] And so, [8:45] I really feel and [clears throat] I've [8:47] been there. I've I've been there. I've [8:48] I've struggled with addiction. I've [8:50] struggled with homelessness. Um, I [8:53] struggled with not having food on the [8:55] table and, you know, have not having a [8:58] parent there. So, I can empathize with [9:02] with people that are are going through [9:04] it. They're going through it. And so, if [9:06] I can make a difference in the world and [9:08] help somebody out of that situation, I'm [9:10] going to. Meg, as an advocate, you could [9:14] have once you found freedom and [9:17] sobriety, you could have just said, [9:18] "Okay, now I'm going to go on with my [9:20] life and not look back." What made you [9:23] want to stay and advocate for people who [9:27] need this help? [9:29] >> I just really [9:31] I'm [snorts] passionate about people. [9:32] >> Yeah. [9:33] >> And um I wish somebody would have been [9:36] there for me [9:37] >> when um when I was struggling. Um, it [9:41] took me a long time um to get my life [9:44] together and um I just feel like if I [9:47] can walk along beside somebody and help [9:50] them to get where they want to get, help [9:52] them to even figure out where they want [9:55] to get, [9:56] >> you know, what is it you want out of [9:57] life? What is it you want out of today? [10:01] That's what I'm there for. That is so [10:04] like I literally like feel your genuine [10:09] energy. Like I have goosebumps just [10:11] listening to you talk and say those [10:13] things. Thank you for that and thank you [10:15] for being so vulnerable and sharing your [10:17] story. Um Tasha, can you tell our [10:20] audience why this is a pivotal piece in [10:23] building a healthier St. Paul? Your work [10:25] that you guys are doing. [10:27] >> There's so many people struggling out [10:28] there right now and they don't have [10:30] places to go. they don't have people to [10:32] be around that are teaching them healthy [10:35] ways of living. [10:37] >> Um, I kind of call it for for the people [10:41] that are coming out of the treatment [10:42] centers the what next effect [10:44] >> because they go into the treatment [10:46] centers, they do their 30-day, 60, 90day [10:49] stint, they learn all these tools, and [10:52] then they get dropped back out onto the [10:54] street and they go back to the same [10:56] things they came from. So, we're the [10:58] what what's next? We're the connection [11:01] that brings you from that piece and move [11:04] you towards living healthier, finding [11:06] housing stabilization, [11:09] um finding food security, finding a job, [11:13] um just the basic things that are that [11:16] you need to be a successful adult. [11:19] >> And me, what do you think that is [11:22] pivotal piece of [11:24] building a healthier St. Paul? [11:27] Well, I've uh in my experience had so [11:30] many people come in that um have a [11:32] background um like I do. Um I'm a felon. [11:37] Um I have a lot of people that come in [11:40] that um are uh um felons really [11:44] struggling [11:45] >> um with trying to find a housing, trying [11:47] to find a job. Um and uh I have been [11:53] blessed with the opportunity to find [11:55] some jobs that uh are felon friendly and [12:00] um that's I feel a huge part of what [12:03] we're doing there. Also the homelessness [12:06] I too um have experienced homelessness [12:10] I'm going to say honestly not to the [12:12] level of a lot of the people that I see [12:13] every day. [12:14] >> Mhm. [12:15] >> It's really impacted my life. these [12:17] people that are really struggling and um [12:21] they need help and whatever I can do to [12:25] help them find safety, to find a warm [12:28] place to live instead of couch surfing [12:31] or staying in a storage room, staying in [12:34] a tent when it's 30 below. We're there [12:37] to help and just a hug. [12:40] >> Yeah. [12:41] >> How many people walk through our doors [12:42] and we just give them a hug? [12:44] >> Mhm. And you can feel it. [12:47] >> You feel them melt in your arms because [12:50] that's all they needed. [12:51] >> Yeah. Hugs are the equivalent to hope, [12:55] right? Cuz when someone hugs you, [12:57] especially during a certain time where [12:59] you really, really need it. You feel [13:01] like, okay, there is things are going to [13:04] get better. Things have to get better. [13:06] Things can be better. There is good [13:08] people. There is good in the world. [13:10] There are good people, right? So a hug [13:12] for me always feels like hope. You know [13:16] what I mean? [13:18] What are some of the programming and [13:20] support services you offer at Recovery [13:23] Cafe, Tasha? [13:24] >> So we have we're open Mondays and [13:26] Wednesdays to the public from 11:00 to [13:28] 7:00. So um they can come into the [13:30] community space. They can grab a cup of [13:32] coffee. Um we always have some kind of a [13:35] snack. We're about feeding your mind, [13:37] body, and soul. And so um we start our [13:40] day out with coffee and community and [13:41] then we have different activities [13:42] throughout the day. Mondays we have [13:44] Bible study, we have arts and crafts. We [13:47] have an art therapist that comes in [13:49] every other Monday and helps walk you [13:52] through different things like trauma via [13:55] the form of art with drawing and [13:57] painting and um sketching. Um we have a [14:01] latte hour where we allow our members to [14:04] learn how to be a barista. And so they [14:07] come in and they we teach them the way [14:09] and then they get to serve the coffee so [14:11] they can put that on a resume and take [14:13] that out and and go look for a job. [14:16] We've got grief share and that walks [14:18] people through the different stages of [14:19] grief. It's a 13-week workshop and we [14:23] have a video we have a workbook that we [14:25] go through. We do um video discussion. [14:29] So, we have member-led activities where [14:31] our members can come in and they can [14:33] showcase their skills and talents and [14:35] they choose what they want to do. So, [14:37] we've had people come in and teach how [14:38] to crochet. We've had people come in and [14:40] teach how to make egg rolls. We've had [14:42] people come in and just DJ music. So, [14:45] it's just it's their moment to shine. [14:47] Um, Wednesdays we've got steps to [14:49] wellness and so we carpool and we go to [14:52] a local park. Yesterday we went to [14:55] Lilyale and we did a hike and it was [14:57] amazing. We do we serve free lunch each [15:00] day. We have music therapy. And then we [15:03] have a men's basketball um that meets a [15:06] group of guys that meet on Wednesday [15:07] nights from 5:00 to 7:00 and they shoot [15:09] hoops together. So it it's just a place [15:12] to have all kinds of fun and [15:14] >> right something to fill the hearts, the [15:17] bellies, the mind with other things that [15:20] help assist in um recovery, right? [15:24] Absolutely. [15:25] >> All kinds of stuff to be involved in. [15:27] Meg, what are some of the things you [15:29] walk away with after a hard day of [15:32] serving others and mentoring others? [15:36] >> Wow. [15:37] I would say that I walk away with um [15:40] gratitude. [15:43] >> Gratitude is big for me. Um if I can [15:47] remember to be grateful, everything's [15:49] okay with the world. [15:51] >> Yeah. Yeah. What about you, Tasha? What [15:53] are some of the things you walk away [15:55] with in a day? Absolutely the same [15:57] thing. Thankful. Yep. And just the [16:00] warmth and the connection with our our [16:02] own members [16:03] >> because we're we're there with them all [16:06] day [16:06] >> and so we learn from each other. We grow [16:08] with each other. We share moments with [16:11] each other. It's just it's a fulfilling [16:14] job. [16:15] >> So you guys have been doing this for a [16:17] while. What are like some of your [16:19] successors that you've you've um you've [16:23] had like even if it's just someone that [16:26] you've known for so many years that just [16:28] keeps coming back like what are some of [16:30] your successors [16:32] and you can take some time to think [16:34] about that because I didn't have this [16:36] question on the list that was just a [16:37] like oh I want to know. [16:39] >> I got one. [16:40] >> Go ahead. [16:41] >> Yeah. I worked with a young woman that [16:43] had already had four of her children [16:45] taken away by CPS. [16:47] >> Mhm. and uh she came up pregnant again [16:50] and um she was terrified that they would [16:53] take her baby and um I was able to help [16:56] her um guide her and because her goal [17:01] was to keep that baby. [17:02] >> Mhm. [17:03] >> And um so we worked first on on her [17:07] recovery. [17:08] >> Mhm. [17:08] >> And um she was able to stay alcohol and [17:12] and drug-free her entire pregnancy. she [17:15] was able to go into the hospital and [17:18] have that baby and go home with that [17:20] baby that u we worked with CPS [17:24] religiously. [17:25] >> Mhm. [17:26] >> Um throughout that time period and um [17:29] she had to prove that she was not with [17:31] an abusive husband. Um she was in a [17:34] shelter for for battered women um for [17:38] part of her um pregnancy. [17:40] >> Mhm. And um she just kept she just kept [17:44] pushing. She just kept pushing. And um I [17:47] I just can't express the joy that I felt [17:50] when um I got to hold that little girl. [17:54] >> Oh wow. [17:55] >> And um and then give it back to her. [17:58] >> Yeah. And give it back to her. [18:00] >> Absolutely. [18:00] >> That's beautiful. Thank you for sharing. [18:03] Have you thought about your [18:04] >> Yeah. So, we we had a particular member [18:06] that way back in 2020 when we first [18:09] opened, she came in and she had been in [18:12] a domestic violence um relationship. She [18:15] was really standoffish. She didn't want [18:17] to share much. You could tell she was [18:20] very timid and just very shy, but she [18:23] kept coming around. Something something [18:26] connected with her there. And so, she [18:29] did that for a good 6 months. And then [18:32] slowly she started to come in more and [18:34] more and then she joined a peer circle [18:36] and she started connecting with others [18:39] and now she is a robust person member of [18:43] our of our community and she is active [18:46] and she's a go-getter and and she talks [18:49] to everybody and makes everybody feel [18:51] welcomed and loved. [18:52] >> Amen. I love it. I love it. So when I [18:56] first heard of you guys um it was at a [19:00] community meeting um at the Rondo [19:03] Library because in that particular area [19:06] university in Dale Quarter, we have a [19:08] large population of people who are [19:10] struggling with substance abuse and [19:12] mental health. And one of the things [19:15] that I know someone from your team [19:19] mentioned that not a lot of people know [19:22] about Recovery Cafe and I was like, "Oh [19:24] my gosh, I have to have them on the [19:26] podcast then cuz we need this is all [19:28] about like community outreach, right?" [19:30] And so I'm really glad that you came on. [19:33] um because of where you're located and [19:36] because of the major issue that we're [19:39] having in that area that we're not [19:41] giving up on, what are your goals for [19:43] doing this work for the city of St. [19:45] Paul? [19:46] >> So, right now we're focusing on [19:48] outreach. [19:49] >> Okay. [19:49] >> Um we did a an event last week called or [19:52] last month called Purses with Purpose. [19:55] >> Okay. So, we got a bunch of donations of [19:57] purses and bags and we loaded them up [20:00] with toiletries and socks and underwear [20:02] and just all kinds of stuff. And then we [20:04] went out into the community and we [20:06] passed out these purses. [20:08] >> And, you know, [20:09] >> for somebody that doesn't have anything [20:11] to be able to get a purse full of just [20:14] joy and love and, you know, things that [20:16] are just simple to the rest of us, you [20:18] know, a bar of soap and some shampoo. I [20:20] mean, um, and then the resources, like [20:23] we had other resources from other [20:25] community organizations in there, so we [20:27] were able to to show the community, hey, [20:28] we're here for you. Just come on out, [20:30] come in. And, um, off of that, we did [20:33] have we had a couple people come in and [20:35] connected with us. So, um, we plan on [20:37] doing more of those kinds of things in [20:39] the community. [20:40] >> Thank you for that. I just I had some [20:44] personal thoughts going I I want to like [20:46] >> the next time you do your purse shindig [20:49] I want to like donate some stuff for [20:51] that. I'm I'm really big on lip gloss [20:54] and I think that everybody deserves lip [20:56] gloss. [20:56] >> Yes. [laughter] [20:57] >> It might it might seem kind of cliche [20:59] but I would love to make people feel [21:03] beautiful. So St. Paul citizens are out [21:06] here working really hard to [21:08] rehabilitate, intervene, and rebuild [21:10] safer neighborhoods. Again, this podcast [21:13] is about being able to connect with you [21:16] on alternative public safety matters [21:18] programs and your local growth and [21:20] healing opportunities. If you'd like to [21:22] learn more about Recovery Cafe and how [21:24] you can volunteer or donate, please [21:26] visit recoverycafrogtown.org. [21:30] That is recovery cafefrogtown [21:33] oneword.org. or and for more information [21:36] about the Office of Neighborhood Safety [21:38] or joining the NYSE, please check us out [21:41] at st paul.gov/s. [21:46] And before we exit and my producer turns [21:50] this off, I just want to say that this [21:54] may be our last episode of the podcast. [21:57] And I just want to thank Anton Butler [22:00] for supporting me and being the guy and [22:05] actually the idea behind this so that we [22:08] could do these community conversations. [22:09] He is very silent. Um, [laughter] [22:14] he never speaks. Even though I look at [22:15] him and talk to him sometimes, he does [22:17] not he he he'll nod his head, but that's [22:19] about all I get. [snorts] I just want to [22:21] thank you so much. [22:24] That's it.