About Thruway Recovery Stop

The Thruway Recovery Stop is a nonprofit community center committed to supporting individuals in recovery from alcoholism, drug addiction, and other challenges addressed by 12-step programs. Our mission is to provide a safe, welcoming environment where people struggling with these issues can find hope, fellowship, and the strength to continue their recovery journey.

We offer a variety of recovery meetings, including those for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA), Narcotics Anonymous (NA), and Gamblers Anonymous (GA). Each of these groups operates independently but utilizes our space to gather in a supportive and non-judgmental environment. We are proud to offer a space where these groups can meet more than a dozen times a week to provide essential support to our diverse community.

In addition to our regular meetings, we host two special annual events: a Summer BBQ and a Christmas Holiday Jingle & Mingle. Both events bring together approximately 75 individuals for fellowship, a free meal, and an inspiring outside speaker. These events are free of charge and open to anyone who wishes to attend.

Our Mission

Our mission is to create and maintain an alcohol- and drug-free facility that hosts meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous and other 12-step programs. Through our work, we aim to promote long-term sobriety and increase the visibility of the recovery community in the area we serve. We operate without financial profit, with all funds directly supporting our mission and the people we serve. Our nonprofit status ensures that contributions to our cause are tax-deductible and go toward furthering our work in the recovery community.

What Is an Alano Club?

An Alano Club is a term used for community centers that host meetings for Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-Anon, and other 12-step groups. These clubs exist to foster sobriety, support individuals in recovery, and provide a safe space for fellowship. At The Thruway Recovery Stop, we follow the same model, operating under the principle of autonomy and ensuring all groups can conduct their meetings freely, in line with their needs.

None of our Board of Directors or executive officers are compensated, ensuring that every dollar raised goes directly into supporting the work we do and the community we serve.

Our Funding

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we are funded entirely by donations, rents, and sales, which are crucial for our ongoing operations. These funds help us maintain our building, host our events, and serve our members. We are governed by a volunteer Board of Directors, each of whom serves a two-year term. The President and Treasurer have co-chairs who rotate into their positions every two years, ensuring ongoing leadership and stability.

Community Impact

The Thruway Recovery Stop serves a broad and diverse community. Every month, more than 500 individuals attend our meetings, which include both regular sessions and special requests from partner organizations such as Rise Recovery of Catholic Charities, Beacon House, George Aney House, and Insight House of Utica.

One of the highlights of our service is a weekly breakfast meeting where we provide a meal and an outside speaker to a group of residents from the Insight House. This meeting, in particular, supports individuals who are in a structured recovery program and provides them with the opportunity to hear from a speaker who shares their experience, strength, and hope.

Our Accomplishments

Since purchasing our building three years ago, we’ve made significant strides in improving and upgrading our facility. Some of our accomplishments include:

Rebuilding the front steps and back porch for safety and accessibility.
Installing a new kitchen to better serve meals at meetings and events.
Remodeling a bathroom to meet ADA standards.
Laying new flooring in the main meeting area.

Through a generous Technology Grant from the Community Foundation and the Wesley and Marion Small Fund, we were able to

Retrofit our building with new internet infrastructure and mobile control systems.
Install to accommodate our new PA system, projectors, and screens.
Update our with new cameras and electronic door locks after prior break-ins. These upgrades have successfully prevented any further incidents.

Our Wish List

While we've made great progress, we still have a vision for improving the accessibility and functionality of our facility. Our dream includes:

Handicap Accessibility: We plan to install a lift system, relocate the existing stairs, and build a handicap-accessible restroom to ensure everyone, regardless of mobility, can access our building and participate in meetings.
Energy-Efficient Windows: Upgrading our windows to energy-efficient models would help us reduce operating costs and make the space more sustainable.
Parking Lot: We also wish to create a 15-car parking lot on our property to improve accessibility, especially for individuals with mobility challenges, and ensure sufficient parking during our larger events.

The Path Forward

The total estimated cost of these improvements is over $150,000, and we are seeking donations, grants, and partnerships to help fund this critical work. The upgrades will allow us to continue serving the recovery community more effectively, improve the safety and comfort of our members, and ensure that The Thruway Recovery Stop remains a place of hope and healing for all.