Michigan now has two locations of Ben’s Friends in the state, the first in Detroit, and the newest one in New Buffalo. Ben’s Friends is a national support group for people in the hospitality industry that are struggling with addiction.
Founded in 2016 by restaurateurs Steve Palmer and Mickey Bakst in South Carolina, this organization exists to offer hope, fellowship, and a path forward for those struggling with substance abuse. After losing close colleague and chef, Ben Murray, to suicide after struggling with alcoholism, the two focused on creating a program that offers a welcoming resource to hospitality workers across the country. The hospitality industry has one of the highest rates of substance abuse in America.
During the pandemic, Ben’s Friends meetings went virtual, but in-person sessions have now begun. The New Buffalo Chapter will hold its first meeting on Monday, April 18th, from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at Brewster’s Italian Cafe, located at 11 W. Merchant Street, and will be led by hospitality veterans Kim and Konnor Koch. Meetings will be held every Monday, at the same time and same place, and is open to anyone who has found sobriety, or is struggling to find it, while working in the hospitality industry.
Ben’s Friends is represented in sixteen cities across the country, and hosts national zoom meetings weekly. If you are looking for support, there are Men Only Meetings, Women Only Meetings, Meetings After Dark, and Daily Meetings offered through their website. For more information on Ben’s Friends and meeting details, please visit bensfriendshope.com.
By Jocelyne Tuszynski, MOTM contributor
