Naperville resident Antonio Sanders is drawing widespread praise for his creation of an online platform designed to help recovery groups stay effective in the age of COVID-19.
The Daily Herald reports that Sanders is hard at work raising donations to help build MeetingMakersclub.com, a virtual destination for 12-step recovery groups. The site has a goal of $15,000.
"For the recovery community, all of the features and functionalities are based on that simple goal – to help people get and stay sober, to be able to build a sober network," Sanders said of the platform that allows users to access online support meetings in lieu of in-person meetings that were shut down because of the virus. "It's kind of like real life. You can go to a meeting any time you want."
The platform works by allowing users to upload documents that members can follow along with recovery texts touched on during formal gatherings. A separate portal is available to first-time responders looking for more privacy in their interactions.
The platform features options where members can express their interest in sponsoring others and a chat feature where members can connect outside of organized settings.
"I think that's terrific because it is that one-on-one, personal connection that really makes the difference," a DuPage County recovery community member named Jason told the newspaper.
As recovery programs transitioned to online platforms because of COVID-19, many worried that the lack of in-person interaction would cause members to struggle even more with their addictions.
"It's not that face-to-face, human contact," said Banyan Treatment Center director of operations and 516 Light Foundation co-founder Brad Gerke. "You don't get the meeting after the meeting, whether that's outside fellowshipping or going to grab coffee or lunch or dinner after a meeting."
But thanks to the efforts of Sanders and others, online meetings are at least a viable next-best option for those in recovery.
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