The roads to recovery are many...
Alano Club of Kent County is a nonprofit organization that supports the community in addiction recovery. Our name is a compilation of our different functions: AL is for alcohol, AN for anonymous, and O for the organization. We host 130 recovery support groups and meetings and are proud to be open to the public 365 days a year.
We believe that all roads to recovery are worth celebrating. We don’t wear the same shoes or walk the same path, so the best program for you is the one that keeps you sober.
“The roads to recovery are many, and the resolution of alcoholism by any method should be a cause for celebration by AA members.” - Bill Wilson
Our Club’s mottos confirm a welcoming spirit. “Keep coming back,” “we’ll save a seat for you” and “stronger together” are phrases heard frequently. We welcome everyone to call our Club their second home!
The History of Alano Club of Kent County
The Alano Club of Kent County was founded in 1952 by Peter D., David T., Fred L., Earl S., Arthur S., and Wellon B. They saw a need for the alcoholism recovery resources that Bill Watson had established in Akron, Ohio, in Grand Rapids. Through their hard work, a fellowship of men and women sharing the desire to stay sober and helping other alcoholics to achieve recovery was born.
The Alano Club initially met in a building on Bond Street, but as the number of participants increased, we quickly outgrew our space. Dr. O. Nathan French donated his home at 1020 College Avenue NE, where the Alano Club still meets today.
The Alano Club has had two major renovations; one in 1982, one in 2006, plus a foundation repair in 2015. Out-of-town visitors frequently report "they’d have to go a long way to find a club as good as this one is.” We are grateful to have this facility and strive to be good stewards of it's use.
Today, we serve over 50,000 people each year, with over 265,000 individual meeting visits. Our club is open from 8:00 AM to 9:15 PM every day of the year. Our meeting spaces are clean and friendly. We have a resource library and club café where fellowship, food and resources assist in the practice sobriety.
What Makes Our Club Special
Alcoholism is a family disease. The Alano Club has expanded programming to reach others through compatible programs such as Al-Anon and Alateen groups.These groups address how addiction affects families and friends of the alcoholic.
Additional groups were added to support our friends and neighbors as they recover from other types of addiction. Programs including Narcotics Anonymous and Heroin Anonymous, along with family support groups include Nar-Anon and SMART Family & Friends.
It is not uncommon for people in recovery to replace one addiction with another,so we now have Food Addicts in Recovery and Eating Disorder Anonymous.
For over 70 years, the Alano Club of Kent County’s mission has been to serve those recovering from addiction by providing a welcoming place for support, meetings, and fellowship. People come tothe Alano Club through various points of entry: some are referred by the Kent County Court System, a health care provider, at the urging of family or loved ones, and some by their own initiative. Regardless of how a person ends up at the Alano Club, they are embraced into a familial community.
We'll Save A Seat For You!
We are located at: 1020 College Ave NE | Grand Rapids, MI 49503
The Power of Recovery
“The roads to recovery are many, and the resolution of alcoholism by any method should be a cause for celebration by AA members.” — Bill Wilson
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