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Discover Café offers free mentorship program for youth

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If there’s nowhere else for you to feel safe, every Tuesday from 3 to 7 p.m. Discover Café Indy is offering a free mentorship program for kids aged 12 to 17. The program strives to provide inclusive support for overall well-being and recovery.  

The café is located at 907 N Delaware St.   

Any person aged 12 to 17 recovering from substance abuse, trauma, homelessness or mental health issues can explore hands-on activities, such as art, music and workshops, and connect with like-minded peers.   

The program offers free meals, tutoring and resources that can help “youth reach their full potential,” said program manager Deja Sanders.  

Participants in the program must be 24 hours free from alcohol or illicit drugs, tobacco and vape product use while at the café. They also must participate in a weekly circle or let a leader know if they can’t make it. While participants are encouraged to share challenges from their week and their areas of growth and goals for the next week, there is an option to pass. Just showing up to the weekly circle is good enough and can be a good way for group leaders to assess needs and provide support.

Don’t worry if you’re not sure if it’s for you, Sanders said.  

Participants can drop in as guests for up to three visits before becoming a member and participating in the weekly story time. Staff are there to be listeners, supporters and therapists only if you need them to be.  

We Bloom, the nonprofit organization that heads the café, identified a need for community-based peer support to assist in long-term recovery, Sanders said.   

“The Discovery Café believes everyone is recovering from something. In our youth, that could mean mental health, substance use, bullying, homelessness, family issues, etc,” Sanders said in a statement. “Youth need a safe place to go outside of home and school where they can bond with peers and trusted staff. It takes a village to raise a child, and Discovery Café strives to provide some additional support and resources to youth and their families to alleviate barriers to discover their full potential.”  

Contact staff writer Jayden Kennett at 317-762-7847 or by email jaydenk@indyrecorder.com. Follow her on Twitter @JournoJay.

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