New Recovery Café in Toms River Aims to Brew Community, Connection, and Change
A powerful new resource for New Jersey’s recovery community is about to open its doors. BrewGrounds Café—the state’s first Recovery Network Café—is launching in Toms River, offering a welcoming, stigma-free space for individuals in recovery, their families, and the broader community. The grand opening event, 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, Toms River, NJ 08753.
More than just a café, BrewGrounds is designed to be a community anchor—a place where conversations about mental health and recovery are not only accepted but encouraged. The name B.R.E.W. stands for Building Recovery, Empowering Wellness, a mission that drives every element of the space and its programming.
What to Expect at the Grand Opening
Attendees at the grand opening celebration can expect a rich blend of community connection, live storytelling, and access to valuable resources. The event will showcase the café’s unique weekly “menu” of recovery-based meetings, group events, and prosocial gatherings that promote mental wellness and mutual support.
A provider resource fair will also be held during the event, allowing local organizations, therapists, and recovery professionals to share information about the services they offer. Those who provide support in the mental health and substance use recovery fields are encouraged to scan the event’s QR code to register as a vendor and take part in the fair.
“There’s a need for more safe spaces that support recovery in a way that’s inclusive, empowering, and rooted in community,” said organizers. “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.”
A Home for Young People in Recovery
One of the most exciting features of BrewGrounds Café is that it will serve as the official home of New Jersey’s first Young People in Recovery (YPR) Chapter. This national nonprofit organization is focused on helping youth and young adults in recovery find support through community-based events, volunteer opportunities, and peer leadership.
The YPR initiative is a critical piece of the BrewGrounds mission. Young people navigating recovery often face unique challenges, including stigma, isolation, and a lack of resources tailored to their age group. By bringing YPR into the café, BrewGrounds offers a place where younger individuals can connect, grow, and access the help they need in a judgment-free environment.
The Need for Recovery-Focused Spaces
As rates of substance use, mental health conditions, and trauma-related disorders continue to rise, so too does the need for safe, accessible spaces where healing can begin. According to data from the New Jersey Department of Human Services, over 82,000 residents were admitted to substance use treatment programs in 2022 alone. Many more continue to struggle without support.
BrewGrounds Café steps into this gap by offering something different: a community-driven model that focuses not on clinical treatment, but on connection, empowerment, and belonging. It’s a model gaining momentum across the country and proving effective in helping people maintain long-term recovery.
“This is about building community resilience,” said one community advocate. “It’s about creating a space where people can show up as they are, share their story, and realize they’re not alone.”
A Call to the Community
Organizers are calling on the public to be part of this movement. Whether you’re a person in recovery, a mental health professional, a family member, or a local resident who wants to make a difference, you are welcome at BrewGrounds.
The May 5 grand opening event is free to attend and open to the public. Complimentary coffee and light refreshments will be provided, along with opportunities to meet the café team, explore the space, and connect with other community members.
“This café is for everyone,” organizers emphasized. “Recovery is not just about one person—it’s about the village that supports them. And we’re building that village, one cup at a time.”
For more information or to register as a provider for the resource fair, attendees are encouraged to scan the QR code on event flyers or visit the BrewGrounds Café event page.
