Reach Out Online

In the wake of Collage’s dissolution, I was skeptical about what would take its place. How would club members adjust to a new, smaller space? How many folks would make the transition to a clinical setting? What would arise from the flames: a phoenix—or a dodo bird?

On my first couple of visits to our new home on Lafayette St, things didn’t seem so bad. I recognized many familiar faces, along with plenty of new ones. Bill Pelrine was leading Current Events. We still had our afternoon excursions, and the food was still tasty. Maybe I can deal with this, I thought.

Then, after dinner, it came. A staff member got up and announced, in no uncertain terms, that PROS members must—must—attend at least one group each day that they chose to attend the new program. And no, Current Events and Karaoke didn’t count as groups. Like it or not, everyone was going to get some form of therapy, or it was out the door for them. I chose the door.

For several weeks, I avoided PROS. I couldn’t see what PROS could provide that my own clinic couldn’t. One Tuesday morning, I reluctantly wandered over to Lafayette St to pick up my paycheck. Holly and Mary Lou greeted me warmly, and asked me if I was still interested in joining PROS. I told them that my interest in PROS was exclusively to socialize with my old Collage buddies. Mary Lou informed me that there were groups intended specifically to get folks to interact together that I might like. Out of respect for her and Holly, I agreed to give the new program another go.

About a week later, a friendly staff member gave me an intake interview. The experience was akin to a mental root canal, but I managed to get through it after only an hour or so. Soon afterward, Holly and I filled out some paperwork, and I was in. It was time to give PROS a chance.

My club initiation took place in mid-April. Since then, I try to visit our new home at least twice a week. I always enjoy seeing club members both old and new. Groups are more casual than I thought they’d be, with both friendly and accommodating leaders. More importantly, the old club spirit was still there, refusing to fade away quietly. That fact gives me hope that PROS can become a forum for recovery that we can all cherish as much as we did Collage.

So, what’s behind the door at Lafayette St—the phoenix, or the dodo? Time will tell.