Seattle support group closes: 'So many of our population fit into the high risk category'

A Seattle support group for people recovering from addiction and homelessness has shut down for the time being.

The move is a precaution to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Even so, Recovery Café will continue to support its members in other ways.

Members rely on Recovery Café for meals, coffee and fellowship. But Tuesday was the last time they gathered at the café’s Boren Avenue and SoDo locations.

“It was heartbreaking,” said Executive Director David Coffey.

Still, he says, closing was the right thing to do. Their members are especially vulnerable in situations like this.

“So many of our population fit into the high risk category; we didn’t want to have a role into something terminal.”

Coffey says they’ll continue to help members. They’ll provide meals to go, and staff will call to check on them weekly. They’ve provided phones for those who don’t have them so they can stay in touch.