Location Sought for New Sober Gathering Space in the Columbia Gorge

Gorge Recovery’s dedication is to double as a fun recovery center providing the social aspect of recovery and as a hub for recovery groups and community-led events.

From Gorge Recovery:

The Dalles, Ore., Feb. 13 2026 — In June of 2024, the team at Gorge Recovery was awarded a $2M grant to fund a center for recovery-supported events, workshops, and connection to community resources. This funding came from a $13M opioid settlement awarded to the state and distributed through the Oregon Health Authority.

Throughout that time, Gorge Recovery formed a passionate board, developed what support positions and roles are needed, and brought on an executive team. Now, the last step before they can cut the proverbial ribbon is to find a space to share with the Columbia Gorge community. 

Exuding warmth and kindness, I can tell that Executive Director Ari Gardner really cares about the project she’s been chosen to lead.

Executive Director Ari Gardner

“We want to make sure our community knows [recovery] is possible, here we are living it, and here you can come and join us and do this too,” she says.

After spending more than ten years in social services, including the last four years in direct recovery support, and having lived in Goldendale for fifteen, Ari has both the local care and long-term knowledge to lead this effort.

Ari has many personal and professional connections throughout The Dalles and as a person in recovery supporting others, she found that there just wasn’t a place where people in recovery could just be.

There were clinic settings and therapeutic offices, rehabilitation services and psychiatric help, but no place to relax socially in a recovery-focused space. Gorge Recovery aims to fill that gap by offering a sober, supportive environment where people can gather for activities such as game nights, sports, workshops, and peer-led events 

Gorge Recovery’s dedication is to double as a fun recovery center providing the social aspect of recovery and as a hub for recovery groups and community-led events. In addition to social connection, the center is designed to function as a hub for recovery groups and community-led programming, providing space for meetings, events, and shared resources.

“A lot of social activities happen in bars, which is just an example of how we want to create the same sense of fun and connection, without substances, so people don’t have to choose between their recovery and their social life,” says Ari.

The goal for the space is to be a resource for information, sharing, and community connection. Hosted on their website is a community events calendar where recovery groups can share what’s available. 

“Do you have an AA meeting that doesn't have adequate space to be running where it's at and you want to come test the waters, maybe have it here on Monday nights?” Asks Ari, sharing that there are options for other recovery organizations too, like “NA or Dharma Recovery or SMART Recovery. Or do you want to start up a karaoke night on Wednesdays?”

Recovery groups and event leaders can use the online form to submit events. The space will be guided by community needs and is flexible to ongoing changes. Gorge Recovery has planned to offer mentorship opportunities with 1:1 mentee meetings available.

Hosting recovery-supported events, activities, and connection opportunities, Gorge Recovery seeks an all-or-semi-private space with a medium-size open layout for gatherings and events, and a few offices for mentorship and administrative support.

The goal is to be open to all community members, so ADA accessibility and an entrance that isn’t right on a busy street helps folks ranging from brand-new to recovery to many years find support and all feel at home. Right now, Gorge Recovery is open to sharing space, alternating days or evenings to start, with the goal of a permanent home as soon as possible. 

Fiscally sponsored by Portland-based organization 4D Recovery, Gorge Recovery has completed all necessary steps to open, including connecting with a realtor to help in their search for the right home.

While the organization and administrative steps are following 4D’s path, all other efforts are done locally and locally-supported.

“I want to make sure that [the community] knows that they have somebody running the organization that cares about the community, that cares about our rural area, that cares about the impact that we make, and that I want to make sure that what we're bringing in is community-led. We're listening to the people and just making sure that we're actually actively filling those gaps with action,” says Ari, smiling as she shares her vision for the new space.

The dedication of the local team is felt as a strong undercurrent in their shared work. Each one is a Columbia Gorge community member and has a heart-led interest in seeing this space come to life. “Come join us,” Ari says, “we want to be an inspiration of hope.” 

Do you know of a space that Gorge Recovery could host from, or do you know someone who could help? Visit www.gorgerecovery.org to learn more and submit a communications request.