A local addiction recovery nonprofit will receive an $80,202 grant from Grants Pass-based AllCare Health to support the organization’s reconstruction, expansion and improvement projects at its Medford location.

Reclaiming Lives’ Recovery Café and El Camino Seguro updated its interior and opened up the space to fit multiple situations and needs, including for classrooms, talking circles and restaurant areas.

“We already did the remodel last year, and I knew there was an opportunity with AllCare, but it wasn’t confirmed until January,” said Stephanie Mendenhall, the nonprofit’s executive director. “We also put in a check-in desk … There was nothing there, really, for us to greet people as they came in the door, so now we have a welcoming area.”

The renovation project started in May 2023 and wrapped up in July.

The Recovery Café, located on East Main Street, provides a safe and healthy space for meetings, dinners, socialization and peer support mentoring for individuals and families in need.

The nonprofit helps families, children and adults experiencing behavioral health and financial challenges that arise from drug addiction and recovery. It provides opportunities for personal growth and learning life skills while encouraging community members to accept help and give support for their peers.

The grant is part of health care organization AllCare Health’s pledge to give $2.7 million to nonprofits and groups across the Rogue Valley and Southern Oregon to improve the health and wellbeing of communities within the region.

Lana McGregor, AllCare’s director of behavioral health, said, “We’ve been able to tell our story more and always give a lot to the community. I’ve been with AllCare for 11 years now, and every year we’ve given at least $1 million and usually more, and it’s to improve the health of our community in general — it doesn’t have to be tied to AllCare’s specific membership.”

Medford’s Recovery Café, founded in 2017 by Mendenhall and her family, is based on the Recovery Café nonprofit model in Seattle.

The inspiration for the organization came when Mendenhall and her family assisted a 25-year-old woman dealing with homelessness and drug addiction in 2015. Their efforts grew, and they now serve hundreds of people in need.

“People need a place they can come to, and come back to, if they’re struggling and they connect with people who love and accept them no matter where they’re at,” Mendenhall said. “Anybody is welcome to join us.”

The nonprofit hosts new member circles at 4 p.m. Sundays and 5 p.m. Tuesdays.

To learn more about Reclaiming Lives’ Recovery Café and El Camino Seguro, visit reclaiming-lives.org.

To learn more about AllCare Health, visit allcarehealth.com.