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If cost or a religious requirement has ever kept you from a recovery meeting, a new program in Kansas City is worth knowing about.
It offers free, secular addiction recovery support inside the public library, with no fees and no faith requirement to take part.
A Free Program Built Around Access
Michael DePriest, founder and director of the nonprofit recovery community organization MyRecoveryKC, teamed up with the Kansas City Public Library to run a weekly 12-step program that is open to people of any faith or none.
Meetings are free and take place in public library branches rather than a church basement or a clinic.
DePriest says holding meetings in visible public spaces helps reduce the stigma around substance addiction and recovery.
The library’s health and well-being specialist, Jamie Placht, asked DePriest to adapt the traditional 12 steps so they feel welcoming regardless of religious background.
Most well-known 12-step programs lean on Christian themes, which Placht says does not fit the diverse community the library serves. Few groups offer a secular alternative, so the partnership set out to create that space.
Who the Meetings Are For
The meetings are new in 2026 and free to attend. Alongside people with substance use disorders, DePriest says the group has drawn people dealing with eating and gambling concerns.
Twelve-step fellowships have long been open to anyone, and this one keeps that low barrier, so you do not have to wait until you have built up recovery time to walk in.
That low barrier matters for a practical reason. Access to inpatient treatment is not always immediate, and DePriest notes that waiting a week or two for a bed can give someone time to lose momentum or change their mind.
A free, drop-in meeting can act as a bridge while someone waits for treatment, and as a place to maintain recovery afterward.
Rebuilding Community Without a Price Tag
Loss of community is one of the harder parts of early recovery. When substance use has been at the center of someone’s social life, stepping away can mean losing friends and support at the same time.
Placht describes the library as a valuable partner precisely because it sits outside a clinical setting and can act as a triage point, connecting people to the right services alongside peer support.
Free and Low-Cost Recovery Support Near You
Public libraries are one of the most overlooked free resources for recovery. Beyond meeting space, many libraries connect visitors to social workers, community programs and local health services at no cost.
If you are looking for free addiction recovery options in your area, it is worth asking your local library what health and wellness programming it offers.
Free Resources
- Secular 12-step meetings run Saturdays from noon to 1 p.m. at the Kansas City Public Library Central Library, 14 W. 10th St., Kansas City, Missouri, and Mondays from 3 to 4 p.m. at the North-East Branch, 6000 Wilson Ave. Details are posted on the library’s online calendar.
- SAMHSA’s national helpline offers free, confidential referrals 24/7 at 1-800-662-4357.
- Many communities have a 211 line that connects callers to free and low-cost treatment and recovery services.
Finding Affordable Treatment
Free and low-cost recovery support exists in most communities, whether through nonprofits, public libraries, harm reduction programs or Medicaid-covered treatment.
Rehabs.org lists free and low-cost treatment options nationwide to help you find affordable care. You can also check whether your state’s Medicaid program covers rehab and search for free treatment centers near you. Call
800-914-7089
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to speak with a treatment advisor today.
