Historical Update: Alano Society of Carlton County
The Alano Society of Carlton County was established in 1974, when a group of about
thirty individuals took action to support people recovering from alcoholism in our county. Many of these individuals had experienced
first hand the devastation of alcoholism on their work and family life.
A large old building located at 103 10th
St., in Cloquet, which had been a church, and then a carpet store, was donated to the group and transformed by industrious
members, into the Alano Club facility which stands today. Non-profit
tax exempt status was achieved and a Board of Directors numbering nine members provided leadership to the organization.
Many have worked hard to keep the Alano Club facility open understand the economic
impact, and the importance of support and fellowship in the recovery from alcoholism and other addictions. Alcohol is implicated
in 100,000 American deaths each year, and alcohol problems cost the nation $185 billion annually in lost productivity, health
care expenses and car crashes.[i] More than 18% of Americans experience alcohol abuse
or alcohol dependency at some time in their lives. Seventy-five percent
of heavy drinkers are employed. In fact, nearly 9.6 million people or 9.1 percent of full-time workers ages 18 and above drink
in ways that put them at high risk for alcohol-related health problems and reduces their productivity on the job. [ii]
Supporting
people in avoidance of alcohol and drug use so they can lead productive lives, is paramount to the Alano Society, whose mission
is: “Place
and space for community 12-step meetings.” The
Alano Club primarily hosts Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon meetings, which draw participation from over 150 people per week.
However, over the years the Alano Club also been home to Gamblers Anonymous, Alateen, and Narcotics Anonymous groups.
It is important to note that the Alano Society is a totally separate organization
from the Alcoholics Anonymous and Alanon groups which meet at the Club.
While many Alano Society members themselves are in recovery from alcoholism, Alcoholics Anonymous
guidelines advise a policy of non-ownership or affiliation with any other purpose.
Consequently the only way to provide space for meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous is for another group
to own and manage a facility for this purpose, and for AA meetings to pay rent to such facilities.
Over the past thirty-four years, the Alano Society of Carlton County has managed to
keep the Alano Club open and operating primarily through contributions made from the various meetings, a small upstairs apartment
rental and for a time, a bingo operation. But
today, the bingo operation not longer exists, and many repairs needed to be made to the Alano Club’s structure to keep
it safe and open to the public. Fundraising
efforts to achieve these upgrades for the Alano Club began in January of 2008.
Over an eight month period, tremendous support arrived from many community members, businesses, industries,
service organizations, and tribal representatives, making possible the extensive building and energy efficiency upgrades required to keep the Alano Club open, safe and operational
for community 12-step meetings.
