New Directions Addiction Recovery Services Awarded $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant

CRYSTAL LAKE, Ill. – Dec. 12, 2024 – New Directions Addiction Recovery Services (NDARS), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization offering support services for people in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD), announced that it has received a T-Mobile Hometown Grant of $50,000. The grant will be used for the renovation and maintenance of The Other Side, the first sober bar in Illinois and a community space for people in recovery.

NDARS is one of 25 grant recipients out of more than 850 applicants across the U.S. The T-Mobile Hometown Grant program is a five-year initiative that will invest $25 million in organizations from 500 rural towns to “jumpstart projects and build stronger communities,” according to the grant website. 

“We believe that T-Mobile selected us because they could feel the positive impacts of The Other Side in our community,” said Nichole Learman, Grant Writer at NDARS. “Many staff members at The Other Side are in recovery themselves. The people we serve have real, personal connections with our organization, and T-Mobile recognized that.”  

The Other Side provides an alcohol-free space to socialize for people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction. The funds from the grant will be used to improve indoor facilities at The Other Side and create an outdoor gathering space that will welcome the greater Crystal Lake community, including people who are sober curious or simply want a place to socialize and have fun without alcohol. 

“We’re not right downtown in Crystal Lake; we’re on a side street, and having a well-lit patio that is visible from the main street will help to pull people in,” said Hank Besant, General Manager of The Other Side. “With this grant, we’ll be able to expand the fun, social atmosphere we have created inside of the sober bar to a new outdoor gathering area.”

NDARS also employs people in recovery and hosts recovery-safe social events at The Other Side. Currently, NDARS and The Other Side are preparing to host a New Year’s Eve event on Dec. 31.

To learn more about NDARS, visit ndars.org. To explore upcoming events or visit The Other Side, visit the-other-side.org. 

About New Directions Addiction Recovery Services

NDARS was founded in 2010 by individuals in recovery from substance use disorders (SUD) who were passionate about supporting others new to recovery. NDARS provides comprehensive support to individuals navigating the challenges of SUD recovery. NDARS core programs offer a continuum of care that empower individuals in their recovery journey. The organization’s holistic approach benefits individuals and has a profound and lasting impact on families and the broader community, promoting positive change and support. NDARS adopts a holistic approach to recovery, recognizing that overcoming SUD is a multifaceted process that requires addressing physical, emotional, and social needs. To learn more, visit ndars.org.

About The Other Side

The Other Side’s mission is to support the recovery process at all stages, keeping sobriety as easy and as enjoyable as possible. Our coffee shop is part of a wide network of services for the community by our parent organization, New Directions Addiction Recovery Services (NDARS). As the first sober bar in Illinois, The Other Side is dedicated to providing members of the recovery community with an alcohol-free, positive space to socialize and let off steam. To learn more, visit the-other-side.org. 

Media Contacts
Stephanie Pryor
LANC Marketing, LLC
[email protected]

Bobby Gattone
Executive Director, New Directions Addiction Recovery Services
[email protected]