The Animas Alano Club has called 2601 Junction St. its home for almost a year, and it has the goal to stay there indefinitely as a resource center for those in the community who are involved in, or seeking, recovery and 12-step-program groups.
The property is currently being shared with the Cowboy Church, which is in the process of constructing a new building east of Durango near Florida Mesa Elementary. It is expected to be completed by the spring. Those at the Alano Club envision the Junction Street space as somewhere people can not only attend meetings, but seek anonymity and come to socialize with others who are trying to get, or stay, sober.
The club, which is a nonprofit, has the goal to purchase the property in four years. To do that, $500,000 has to be raised to match a bank loan, with monthly rent payments to the Cowboy Church, consistent with the lease agreement, plus regular operations costs. Ron Cornelius, who is in charge of fundraising, said the club has raised about $140,000 so far, with substantial contributions from community members and First United Methodist Church, just to name a couple. Another $10,000 to $15,000 gift is expected to arrive this week.
“We’re here to help the community first, but, as a nonprofit, we also need help from the community,” Cornelius said. “We’ve pretty much exhausted every rental space in town, and the Cowboy Church has been extremely generous to work with us and have this kind of agreement.”
Meetings were formerly held at the Cornerstone Building, but it lacked enough space inside the building and in the parking area to meet the demand from the community. A few local churches will allow groups to meet when space is available for a small donation, but they lack the social atmosphere needed for those fighting addictions.
Unfortunately, bars are much easier to find, especially for those who are new to town. It often takes months or years to regain the ability to integrate back into social atmospheres where past habits are seen as normal by others and forbidden to the addict or alcoholic, Cornelius said.
There are 45 recovery group meetings at venues in Durango, and 27 of them are now meeting at the club, including various Alcoholics Anonymous support groups, Gamblers Anonymous, Caduceus (a support group for health care professionals), Al-Anon treatment program, Overeaters Anonymous and Recovering Couples Anonymous. The club is not necessarily exclusive to 12-step programs, however, and other support groups, such as a diabetes group, have expressed interest.
“All of these groups have members that often seek anonymity and socialization with those who have like goals, which is helpful and necessary for long-term success in overcoming addictions,” Cornelius said. “You can be a judge or a doctor and walk in here and be completely confident that your identity will remain anonymous.”
The Animas Alano Club is equipped with small and large meeting rooms, the largest of which is capable of seating more than 500 people, and has a child care facility, kitchen, restrooms and a large parking area. Its mission is to serve those recovering from addiction by providing a welcoming place to support meetings and fellowship.
For those interested in services and meetings, call the Alano Club at 259-4059 or Ron Cornelius at (602) 694-0720.
For more information about the Alano Club, visit www.animasalanoclub.org.
fstone@durangoherald.com
