New Jersey’s First Recovery Cafe Breaks Addiction Stigma
Toms River is about to welcome a groundbreaking new establishment that aims to transform how communities support recovery from addiction and mental health challenges. BrewGrounds Café, set to open its doors on May 5, will become New Jersey’s first Recovery Network Café – a welcoming, stigma-free space designed specifically for individuals in recovery, their loved ones, and anyone passionate about mental wellness and community resilience.
Unlike traditional treatment centers or clinical settings, BrewGrounds—whose name stands for Building Recovery, Empowering Wellness—operates on a community-driven model that emphasizes connection, belonging, and mutual support. The café will host recovery-based meetings, group events, and social gatherings in an environment where conversations about mental health and addiction recovery are not only accepted but encouraged and celebrated.
More Than Just a Cup of Coffee
What sets BrewGrounds apart from other community spaces is its intentional design as a recovery hub. While the café will serve coffee and light refreshments like any traditional coffeehouse, its “menu” extends far beyond beverages. Visitors can expect a weekly schedule of recovery meetings, wellness workshops, and community-building activities designed to foster connection and growth.
“There’s a need for more safe spaces that support recovery in a way that’s inclusive, empowering, and rooted in community,” say the café organizers, according to promotional materials. “BrewGrounds is that space. We want people to walk in and feel immediately seen and valued, whether they’re in recovery themselves, supporting a loved one, or just passionate about mental health and wellness.”
The establishment represents a significant evolution in recovery support resources. By moving recovery out of clinical settings and into a warm, welcoming community space, BrewGrounds helps reduce stigma while making support more accessible and normalized. This approach recognizes that while professional treatment is essential, long-term recovery often depends on community connection and ongoing support.
Save the Date:
- Monday, May 5th 4-7PM
- 954 NJ-166 Toms River 08753
- recoverycafe@brightharbor.org
Young People Find Their Voice in Recovery
One of the most significant aspects of BrewGrounds is its designation as the official home of New Jersey’s first Young People in Recovery (YPR) chapter. This national organization focuses specifically on helping youth and young adults find connection and support through peer leadership, volunteer opportunities, and community events.
The partnership addresses a critical gap in recovery services, as young people often face unique challenges including social pressure, identity formation, and navigating recovery while still developing life skills. Traditional recovery spaces may not always feel relevant or welcoming to younger individuals, making dedicated youth-centered programming essential.
By housing YPR within a café setting rather than a clinical environment, BrewGrounds creates a more approachable entry point for young people who might otherwise hesitate to seek support. The café atmosphere normalizes recovery as part of community life rather than segregating it to specialized treatment settings.
Responding to a Growing Crisis
The timing of BrewGrounds’ opening is particularly significant given New Jersey’s ongoing struggle with substance use disorders. State data reveals over 82,000 residents were admitted to substance use treatment programs in 2022 alone, with countless others struggling without formal support.
Ocean County, where Toms River is located, has been particularly impacted by the opioid epidemic. The establishment of BrewGrounds represents a community-based response to this crisis – one that complements traditional treatment approaches by addressing the social isolation and stigma that often complicate recovery.
“This is about building community resilience,” a community advocate explained. “It’s about creating a space where people can show up as they are, share their story, and realize they’re not alone.”
The grand opening celebration, titled “Espresso Yourself: Brewing Change, Breaking Down Stigma,” will take place on Monday, May 5, from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at 954 NJ-166 in Toms River. The event will feature opportunities to explore the space, connect with community members, and learn about local recovery resources through a provider fair.
Local organizations, therapists, and recovery professionals are encouraged to register as vendors for the resource fair, creating a comprehensive introduction to the support network available in the region. The café organizers emphasize that the space is intended for everyone – not just those directly impacted by addiction but anyone interested in building a more supportive, connected community.
As the first establishment of its kind in New Jersey, BrewGrounds Café represents an innovative model that could potentially expand throughout the state if successful, offering a blueprint for how communities can create dedicated spaces that support recovery, wellness, and connection for residents of all ages.
