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For people struggling with addiction in Polk County, Wisconsin, it’s been difficult to find free rehabs. A new community-rooted initiative is working to change that, one cup of coffee at a time.
Mission Coffee House, a nonprofit café being prepared to open inside Cedar Bend Church in Osceola, Wisconsin, is designed to serve two purposes: give the community a welcoming gathering space and funnel real resources toward addiction recovery in an area where those resources have been painfully scarce.
A Gap in Local Addiction Services
The St. Croix Valley has a drug problem that locals have long recognized but rarely spoken about publicly. Cedar Bend Church Pastor Matt Hayton first envisioned the project as a response to that silence and the lack of accessible treatment options in the region.
“If you’re from Minnesota, you’ve got Hazelden,” organizer Jordan Martell said. “But we don’t really have that.”
Co-organizer Kristin Nelson echoed the need to bring addiction and mental health therapy out of the shadows. “There’s been such a gap for people that would stand up for addiction and mental health, like it’s a secret,” she said. “But now that the awareness is coming out, people are coming out of the woodwork.”
Who Qualifies for Free or Low-Cost Treatment
Mission Coffee House will function as an independent nonprofit organization, separate from the church, with its profits supporting addiction recovery and mental health programs.
Long-term, organizers aim to donate up to $100,000 annually to local support networks, a significant injection of free resources for a county with minimal existing services.
Beyond funding, the coffee house plans to employ people in recovery who are actively rebuilding their lives in sobriety.
It also plans to hire part-time high school students, creating pathways for both groups to develop job skills and work experience.
“We want to come alongside them and make this a place of employment to help them build a resume,” Martell said. “Not only to learn a few skills, but to learn how to work with people too.”
How to Access These Resources
Mission Coffee House is not yet open, but community members and those in recovery can get access to these addiction resources. Fundraising is still underway, about $70,000 remains of an initial $180,000 goal, and volunteer opportunities are available to help prepare the space.
For those in recovery interested in employment opportunities once the café opens, or to donate to the project, contact Kristin Nelson at [email protected] or visit missioncoffeehouse.org.
The coffee house also carries a personal legacy. It is officially named The Josh Hove Memorial Mission Coffee House, in honor of a founding Cedar Bend Church member who passed away in 2021 and was remembered as a calm, steady presence in the community.
Finding Affordable Treatment Near You
While Mission Coffee House fills a community gap, those who need addiction treatment now don’t have to wait. Rehabs.org lists free and low-cost treatment options nationwide. Call
800-914-7089
(
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to find affordable care in your area.
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