Kalispell support group participants stay consistent during COVID-19 outbreak
KALISPELL, Mont. — On any given day, meeting rooms at the Alano Club in Kalispell would be filled with people in recovery.
“People share their experience, strength and hope,” Alano Club board of directors president Tim Harmon said.
But now, the COVID-19 outbreak means people going through a 12-step program are sharing through Zoom meetings.
“There is very good attendance on the Zoom meetings. People continue to meet for moral support and connect to the community as a whole,” Harmon said.
Harmon says about 700 people would come into the Alano Club weekly. He believes about the same number of people attend the Zoom meetings.
Zoom meetings have even given some people more opportunities.
“I talked to somebody in recovery, and they checked out a recovery meeting in Ireland, so they were able to go to a meeting in Ireland sitting in their kitchen in Montana,” Harmon said.
Harmon says technology can be a great tool, but it doesn’t replace human interaction.
“I don't believe Zoom meetings replace face-to-face meetings and what is done with being able to sit across from that famous cup of coffee with someone in recovery,” Harmon said.
The global pandemic has affected everyone’s lives, but Harmon says it's important to stay in touch.
“It’s a lot less scary if you are not alone, if I’m with you -- I’m a lot less scared than if I’m just by myself,” Harmon said.
The Alano Club provides a space for the 12-step program. The organization isn’t associated with any of the recovery groups.
