Category: Uncategorized

Winter 2026

Passenger Recovery
WINTER NEWSLETTER

Happy winter–spring season from all of us at Passenger Recovery! If you’re local, we hope you’re staying warm. And if you or someone you know is in need of support, please see the bottom of this email for additional information.

This winter season has stayed busy for us. We crossed over 3,200 participants at the Recovery Center by the end of 2025, and it’s been incredible to watch our new space continue to grow into what we’d always hoped for—a community-led hub that inspires and supports people on their recovery journeys.

October

Passenger hosted The Resonance Project: Healing Through Music Therapy and the Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival as part of the opening of our Christopher Street Art Gallery. These events highlighted the powerful connection between arts and mental health.
We also held our annual Halloween Bike Ride & Karaoke, in partnership with The Phoenix, creating an exciting way to connect outside of traditional support-group settings. We rounded out the month with our first few outdoor music jam sessions at the new Recovery Center.

November
We were honored to receive support from the HEAR4Fam Foundation to expand our music therapy offerings through a partnership with the MSU Community School of Music – Detroit. This collaboration will help us better serve community members transitioning from homelessness and substance use disorder, keeping recovery both accessible and inspirational.

December

Passenger hosted General Strike US as part of the Feeding the Fight event, bringing together a toy drive, hot meals, free-exchange tables, car inspections, and more for the community. During such uncertain times—especially in dangerously cold weather—we’re proud to support underserved neighbors. As people with lived experience, we know that stress, bias, and quality of life can increase setbacks in recovery. It is an honor to work together with like-minded organizations to serve the community. 

December also included several speaking engagements:

Chris presented Passenger’s mission in Petoskey at KeyNotes, sharing resources for folks in recovery.

Chris also spoke at the Winter Music Mixer and launch of the Detroit Music Census, explaining how Passenger supports artists and musicians in Detroit.

The Greater Detroit Music Census goes live on February 3rd. Learn more here:
https://detroitmusiccollective.com/detroit-music-census/

Additionally, Bryan presented a Recovery-Friendly Workplace session in partnership with the Michigan Public Health Institute for the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition, highlighting the benefits of safe, supportive work environments for both employees in recovery and employers.

New & Expanded Meetings at Passenger

Recovery Dharma now meets Mondays at 5:30 PM and Thursdays at noon

NEW AA Open Talk Group – “Open Ears”
Saturdays at 6:00 PM
Speaker meetings offer a powerful way to connect and relate to others in recovery.



**As always, PASSENGER RADIO WHCK, our radio project, broadcasts music 24/7 and information on community events and recovery resources twice hourly, serving as a bridge between the arts, mental health, and recovery. 

Looking Ahead – Stay tuned for spring updates, including: Our presence at the Great Lakes Region American Music Therapy Association Conference“Rhythms of Recovery”, and an upcoming Detroit Pistons Sober Section Event with The Phoenix

Thank you for being part of our community and for supporting recovery-centered spaces that uplift, inspire, and heal!

With gratitude,
The Passenger Recovery Team
3901 Christopher Street
313-288-0062

Fall 2025

Welcome to the New Passenger Recovery Community Center!

We’re excited to share that as of August, Passenger has officially moved to the south end of Hamtramck—right next to the Fowling Warehouse and across from Keyworth Stadium! Our new facility at 3901 Christopher Street offers expanded space for meetings and events, a larger home for Passenger Radio WHCK, and the launch of the Christopher Street Gallery—a mixed-use space for events and group meetings that also serves as a showcase for local and recovery-centered artists.

We invite you to come visit us, attend a group, or check out the gallery. This new chapter allows us to grow deeper roots in the community and offer more support and creativity in recovery.

You can find us on maps HERE

Passenger in Print: “Keyboard Catharsis” Featured Internationally

We’re thrilled to announce that Jimmy Doom’s “Keyboard Catharsis: Writing Without Fear” creative writing group was featured in the latest issue of Performing Recovery, a UK-based magazine spotlighting global intersections of recovery and the arts. This international recognition gave us a powerful platform to share the work and voice of our community abroad. You can view or download the full issue here.

Community in Harmony: Music & Recovery at Guitar HiFi

Passenger was proud to take part in the Music Mixer at Guitar HiFi, sharing the message of recovery through music and the arts. It was a great chance to reconnect with longtime allies Jennifer Westwood and Dylan Dunbar, and to promote our very own Passenger Radio WHCK, which continues to broadcast great music and messages of wellness, creativity, and support.

Passenger at Toronto’s Departure Festival

We were honored to join Catherine Harrison and Revelios at the Departure Festival in Toronto, where we participated in a panel on the importance of peer support in the music industry. Drawing from his own journey as a touring musician in recovery, Chris spoke to the real-world needs of artists on the road, alongside conversations about mental health, support systems, and Revelios’ powerful work in the field.

A Creative Recovery at the 20th Michigan Peer Conference

At the 20th Anniversary Peer Conference at Higgins Lake, Passenger led a 3.5-hour session on Music and the Arts for Recovery. Chris shared the history and evolution of Passenger, Jimmy Doom introduced the impact of the Keyboard Catharsis group, and Bryan presented on the therapeutic benefits of guided listening with classical and avant-garde music. The session concluded with a moving flute performance and discussion by Camilla Hoitenga, offering both beauty and insight into the role of music in healing.

New Groups at Passenger!

We’re excited to introduce two new weekly offerings at the Community Center:

  • AA Meditation – “The Wagon Years”
    Thursdays at 7 PM
    A space to reflect, meditate, and recover in community.
  • Witches Recovery Circle
    Fridays at Noon
    A pagan-affirming group combining journaling, spirituality, and recovery.

For a full schedule of our groups, events, and gallery showings, Click Here to view our monthly calendar.

Stay Connected. Stay Creative. Stay in Recovery.

Thank you for being part of the Passenger community—we’re growing, we’re changing, and we’re excited to walk this road together with you.

Summer 2025

Greetings and Happy Warm Weather Seasons from all of us here at Passenger! It’s been a busy few months, and we’re excited to update everyone, and say THANK YOU for your continued support. 

Passenger Recovery is Growing!

We’re excited to share that Passenger Recovery has launched a new Music Therapy program in partnership with the MSU Community School Detroit. This initiative brings the power of music to the residents of the Pope Francis Center – Bridge Housing Campus, offering a meaningful tool for connection, healing, and enrichment.

Through this program, residents have the opportunity to leave the PFC facility for an afternoon of shared musical experiences. These sessions not only promote emotional wellness but also serve as an introduction to the broader services and mission of Passenger Recovery. Our goal is to help bridge the gap in support that many individuals face after completing residential services.

This initiative also marked the official launch of Passenger’s new transportation system, now available to assist participants in getting to detox and residential treatment facilities—an essential step in making recovery services more accessible.

These important programs are made possible thanks to the generous support of the AA Van Elslander Foundation. We are deeply grateful for their commitment to helping us build unique pathways to recovery and long-term wellness.

Welcome To Passenger Radio WHCK, Hamtramck

In April, we proudly launched Passenger Radio – WHCK, Hamtramck, a digital radio project designed to serve the diverse communities of Hamtramck through culturally representative programming.

Passenger Radio features shows hosted by DJs in recovery and allies of the recovery movement, reflecting the rich cultural tapestry of Hamtramck. Our programming includes:

  • Culturally reflective music and talk shows
  • Recovery-focused podcasts twice weekly
  • Essential community updates every hour, including food assistance, detox and treatment resources, and local event announcements

Broadcasting 24/7, Passenger Radio is more than music—it’s a tool for empowerment, connection, and advocacy. Stream live anytime on our website, and follow us on Instagram and Facebook for the latest updates.

Hamtramck is a city where over 50% of residents live below the poverty line. Many in the community face barriers to accessing the wellness resources needed to create lasting change. Passenger Radio is our way of bridging that gap—advocating for community-driven solutions and spreading awareness through the airwaves.

Passenger Radio would not be possible without the support of the Michigan Arts & Culture Council, the Gibson Gives Foundation, and Electronic Theater Controls.
We’re honored to be working with these orgs to provide a voice for recovery, culture, and community.
*Listen to Chris and Josh discuss more about Passenger Recovery and Passenger Radio HERE on the Daily Detroit Podcast.

Expanding Our Weekly Support Groups

Passenger is proud to host eight weekly support groups that serve individuals in all forms of recovery—and we’re excited to announce two new additions to our schedule:

Recovery Dharma – Thursdays at 12 PM
Grounded in Buddhist recovery principles, this group offers a mindful, non-theistic approach to healing and personal growth.

Twelve Step Women’s Group – Fridays at 12 PM
Designed for women in recovery, this group emphasizes step-based structure and connection, regardless of drug of choice.

All are welcome. You can explore these new offerings and view our full weekly schedule on our website!

Finally…
We would like to send so much love to our families at Metropolis Records and the Corktown Music Festival, for helping to allow us to continue our core serivices for free. 
Metropolis Records and Passenger wrapped a campaign in February, to raise funding and awareness for mental health and recovery support for touring musicians and music workers. The “Metropolis – A Call To Action” Campaign served to honor Metropolis’ late founder Dave Heckman, while promoting Passenger’s recovery resources for music workers. 
Passenger was also honed to be the beneficiary organization of this year’s Corktown Music Festival. We were thrilled to take part, both with shuttle services and with spreading awareness about recovery and harm reduction resources at the festival venues. All Passenger programming is and continues to be free thanks to orgs like Metropolis Records, CMF, and the people who show up in the community to show that recovery is possible!!

Additional Articles
Model D
WXYZ

If you support what you see here, please consider a donation. Passenger keeps all programming free for those seeking change, through the support of our donors!

Spring 2025

Passenger Recovery Community Center had a terrific last quarter of ’24, thanks to the support of so many volunteers and community members. 

We began with the Hamtramck Neighborhood Arts Festival in September, which included music, arts and photography in and around PRCC, thanks to Tim Price and Maria Vujic of the HNAF!

In November, Passenger partnered with Author Rose HackmanFace Addiction Now, and Healing By Choice, for a very special conversation about burnout and mental health – “Caring For Caregivers”. This event was put together by our amazing intern Jean Khut, and focused on roles that aren’t necessarily recognized as “work”, including topics such as community mental health work, motherhood, and caregiving. It was a powerful discussion and a terrific chance to partner with orgs big and small, that have similar focuses carried to different communities. Huge thanks to Jean, and if you haven’t explored Rose’s book “Emotional Labor” please check it out here!

The transition from Autumn into Winter brought fun opportunities for community recovery events, including a Halloween Bike Ride and a Dog Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery – Resting place to Aretha Franklin, James Jamerson, Rosa Parks, and Archie Trowbridge

Our partnership with The Phoenix continues to be a great opportunity to house Phoenix events, while promoting Passenger as a safe place for folks in recovery. In the last two months, we’ve hosted open mic nights and acrylic painting Phoenix events. If you haven’t downloaded The Phoenix app, check it out HERE

Don’t forget! Passenger also holds Creative Writing w/ Jimmy Doom, and Now Listen To This (Guided music and relaxation) w/ Bryan Wolf each month, along with eight support groups a week – all free, all the time.
You can check out our full monthly schedule HERE, and see weekly updates on our Instagram

In December, Chris was part of the Believe In People podcast, discussing the difficulties of being a creative in recovery. Believe In People is part of CGL/ReNew Hull in the UK – A huge thanks to Robbie and Matt for giving us the chance to shine a light on Passenger, and how talk about how recovery can be vibrant and exciting through creation! 

Finally, as we head into potentially tumultuous times, it’s important to remember why we’re here in Hamtramck; Half the population lives below the poverty line, and we are a melting pot of amazing cultures. Passenger strives to represent these groups through programming and events, and our free Peer Support and Recovery Coaching Services are provided with translation services for many of the languages and dialects spoken here. Removing barriers and advocating for people who experience bias can be the quickest way to improve quality of life and chance for recovery. 

Passenger Recovery wrapped 2024 with over 2000 people coming through the doors for services, events and support groups. We continue to have over 250 monthly participants. We are grateful to the community for trusting us to be of service!  Please keep an eye out for upcoming projects such as Music Therapy with MSU Community Music School of Detroit, Motor City Recovery Night with The Phoenix, and Passenger Radio – WHCK, coming in March!

Winter 2024

Passenger Recovery Community Center has had an incredibly busy Summer, and we’re excited to fill you in on what’s been happening in our corner of the world. Captured above are moments from our recent Open Mic series with The Phoenix, a seasonal event at Passenger. Our goal is to inform and support, while providing a safe place to exist and thrive in recovery. Part of this commitment to Hamtramck and Detroit is holding special events that celebrate music and mental health, while being inclusive of our varied populations and cultures. 

Ukranian Bandura Event

In June ’24, Passenger Recovery held a Ukrainian Bandura Music Event, to celebrate Ukrainian culture, and welcome locals and refugees to our Community Center, in partnernship with the Ukrainian American Archive & Museum. 

Humans of Hip Hop/Sober Fest

Passenger partnered with MusiCares for a Hip Hop and Mental Health Event, to celebrate Detroit’s Hip Hop legacy, and provide information on resources available for the City’s underserved populations. We also took part in the Phoenix’ Sober Fest at Ant Hall, celebrating recovery through music and community!

Highlights of our summer include a “Dog Day BBQ”, partnering with Michigan Humane and our sister group, “Oh That Meeting” from Genessee County, and of course the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival. Our Dog Day was a nice chance to meet in person with a friends in the recovery community, and share food and space beyond actual support groups. For the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, Passenger held a “Clean Green Room” space for artists at our Community Center, and distributed Narcan and Substance Use Disorder information at the Festival.  

Chris and Bryan also Joined Jeff Milo for The Outer Limited Podcast, to discuss Passenger’s history and future plans. You can check that out HERE!

Along with weekly support groups and monthly special events, Passenger Recovery had an impactful season distributing information in the community. An important part of our mission is to reach people wherever they congregate in everyday life, to share recovery resources and be there to answer any questions regarding help with Substance Use Disorder. A big part of this mission is our presence at the Detroit City Football Club matches each summer. 

Since opening in February, Passenger Recovery has had over 1,500 people walk through our doors for support groups and events, and helped over 40 individuals connect with treatment, medicaid and food assistance. We are small, but mighty! 
We are always looking for support from the community – if you have the means, or are looking to help support touring artists and/or people struggling with substance use and addiction, please keep us in mind!

Please be on the lookout for our Fall ’24 events – Halloween Bike Ride/Spooky Karaoke, Recovery Walk at Woodlawn Cemetery, and Caring For Caregivers with Author & Journalist Rose Hackman.

Passenger is also starting a new monthly event – “Now Listen To This!!” Guided Music Listening at Passenger Recovery W/ Bryan Wolf – First session: Innovation and Revolution – Polish Music from Medieval to Modern

In this workshop, we will practice focused and concentrated listening, guided by experienced performer, composer and instructor Bryan Wolf. The participants will learn to listen and use music as a method of … reaching a contemplative state, improving mindfulness, being in the moment, improving quality of life, promoting relaxation, improving mood, reducing anxiety…. There will be surprises and new insights for everyone!

And we’ll learn to communicate about music more effectively by talking about the historical context and learning to analyze the structures and forms of the pieces we’re listening to!

In our first session, we’ll be concentrating on Polish composers and the history of Polish music, featuring pieces by Mikolaj Gomólka, Frédéric Chopin, Karol Szymanowski, Witold Lutosławski, and Krzysztof Penderecki, among others.

Keep an eye out for our upcoming events on our socials, and Happy Autumn Season from all of us at Passenger!
Socials – IG / FB

Fall 2024

We are thrilled to give updates on our newly opened Recovery Community Center. Over the last few years, Passenger has extended our mission from assisting touring musicians in recovery, to using music and the arts as tools for recovery in our local community. At the beginning of this year, we opened a Recovery Community Center thanks to support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. 

In the last two months, Passenger has had over 450 people walk through the door for support groups; Successfully connected two people with treatment and aftercare; Assisted over twenty people with connection to health insurance, food stamps and transportation; This is all while also offering eight support groups a week, multiple arts/music recovery advocacy events, narcan distribution at local festivals, and assistance to touring musicians in recovery. 

Passenger was featured on WDET Detroit and in the Hamtramck Review in May. We also met with State Rep Abraham Aiyash to discuss the importance of Recovery Community Organizations in underserved areas. 

In June, Bryan presented at the National Recovery Summit in Denver, discussing Passenger’s history and music as a tool for recovery. It was an honor as a new Recovery Community Center to be able to share our story and experience on a national level! Meanwhile, Chris and Holly (and Angus) distributed Narcan and community resources at the TecTroit and Movement Festivals in Detroit. 
– – – – – 
Celebrating Mental Health Awareness Month and heading into Pride 2024, we’re excited to share this conversation between two people very close to our hearts. Todd Walker is the head of Outermost Agency, and shares his experience strength and hope in recovery with LGBTQ recovery advocate and Tour Production+ badass Joanne Croxford, as part of Passenger’s If You Can See It, You Can Be It series. This series is focused on sharing stories of recovery in the music industry both with young people and artists as a whole. A huge thank you to these two incredible people for showing that people thrive and prosper in recovery!

Our larger upcoming events include Sober Social Karaoke w/ The Phoenix, Humans of Hip Hop Co-Creation with MusiCares, Ukrainian/Bandura Presentation.  While support from the Michigan Department of Health and Humans Services has helped us get started on the right foot, we are always looking for support to continue helping everyone who walks through our doors.  If you are interested in contributing to our programming, please consider a donation here. Thank you as always!

Pictured below: Chris with the FAN folks at the MI-Peer Conference; Narcan distribution at TV Lounge; Jimmy Doom holding a creative writing session at Passenger; Yoga with The Phoenix (every wednesday!), Holly & Clara at the Hamtramck Drug Free Community Coalition 5K, Jean & Bryan at the Community Mental Health Fair. 

Spring 2024 – Welcome to Passenger RCC/Recovery Community Center

Passenger is very excited to announce that we’ll be opening a Recovery Community Center in Hamtramck, through support from the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services! Our RCC is a project nearly eight years in the making, and we’re excited to have a central hub right in the middle of Hamtramck’s venues, to better serve our artist populations AND local community. This central location will allow for support groups, peer support services, free community internet access, creative writing and much more as we develop. 

Our community of Hamtramck needs connection and clear information to community resources and services – Dayside, we’ll be providing those support services along with translation services for Hamtramck’s many languages and dialects. Evenings and weekends will be devoted to support groups for our many communities that may struggle with Substance Use Disorder, as well as art/recovery events. 

Passenger RCC’s soft-opening event will take place Thursday, February 29th 7-10pm on the first evening of the Hamtramck Blowout Music Festival. We will have coffee, water and snacks from Polish Village Cafe. 2697 Caniff, Hamtramck, 48212

Over the years, Passenger has amplified the message for many orgs that have touched our hearts. Now WE need your help. As we open the doors here, please consider giving back to an organization that has remained grass-roots, and has continued to serve the recovery community through arts and advocacy for nearly eight years. We can’t wait for you to see the place!

Fall 2023

Greetings and happy autumn from all of us at Passenger – It’s September, which means it’s National Recovery Month! And if you’re new here, thank you for your interest – Please scroll to the bottom to learn more about what we do

We kicked National Recovery Month off on the homefront at the Hamtramck Labor Day Festival, passing out narcan and information on local and national resources for our recovery community, including The SIMS FoundationFamilies Against NarcoticsThe Roadie Clinic and The Phoenix. If you’re looking for help, please contact these amazing folks, or hit us for more information on them! 

Our first episode of “If You Can See It, You Can Be It” is live! We spoke with friend and colleague Joanne Croxford about the rigors of touring, and making better choices on the road as a result of recovery. Joanne is a tour + production manager and LGBTQ + advocate, who has worked with Sia, Duran Duran, and is currently on the road with Peaches. Our hope is that this series will help those in recovery, and young people exploring the music industry who are interested in staying healthy on the road.

Passenger is also excited to welcome a few new faces to the crew: 

Corey Telin, board member: Corey is a clinical social worker and has been in the mental health and substance use fields since 2006. Prior to his career in social work, Corey worked in the Detroit area promoting and booking shows at various clubs including St. Andrews Hall, The Shelter, and The Magic Stick. Sober since 2005, Corey has first hand experience of the challenges people trying to enter recovery face while working in the music business. He has worked at Dawn Farm, Michigan Medicine, and is currently the Behavioral Health Director at Packard Health in Ann Arbor.

Joanne Croxford has been a volunteer and comrade since 2019, we’re just making it official: Having worked across the international music industry for multiple years, Joanne brings extensive experience of life on the road teamed with her own recovery story which began in 2010, to the Passenger team. Joanne also worked for industry charity, Music Support, and is a social campaigner for LGBTQ+/gender and ethnic minorities in the business through her additional voluntary work with 3T and Girls Rock London.

Bryan Wolf is our Director of Programming: Bryan is a native of Metro Detroit; after moving to Germany for graduate school, he spent over thirty years living there as a composer, sound engineer, producer, sound artist, keyboard player, and educator. He was Karlheinz Stockhausen’s personal sound projection assistant for ten years and completed hundreds of concerts, installations, and sound projects at major venues and festivals all over the world, including the Stuttgart Opera, Royal Albert Hall and Royal Festival Hall London, Cologne Philharmonic Hall, Suntory Hall Tokyo, KKL Lucerne, Cité de la Musique Paris, Warsaw Autumn, and Milan Cathedral among many others. Bryan began his recovery journey after returning to Detroit, and is grateful that he can give back by supporting music and creative professionals in their struggles to maintain sobriety amid the challenges of touring. Bryan is looking forward to developing programs that bring the life-changing power of music-making and active listening to a broader community in Metro Detroit, providing access to the deep interpersonal connections and potential for personal development that musical activities offer.

Spring 2023

Greetings friends and happy change of season!

It’s been a busy few months here and we want to bring you up to speed quickly. Firstly, our third annual Music Mixer is THIS weekend – Sunday, April 16th at Ant Hall in Hamtramck. These events have been growing and improving, and we’re proud to be joined this time by Guitar HiFiThe PhoenixGirls Rock Detroit and Songs From The Trail, with food from Dos Locos and live music performances! Scroll down for more info, and please join us if you can

Passenger has joined forces with the Detroit City Football Club to provide Naloxone/Narcan and community mental health resources from Detroit Wayne Integrated Health NetworkFamilies Against Narcotics and more, at each weekend home game this season. DCFC is a true Detroit grassroots organization where music and singalongs are a big part of each match, and we are excited to be a part of their festivities. In a serendipitous twist, Iggy Pop (author of the song that provided our namesake) is a shareholder and voice for the DCFC

Chris sat down with MI Healthy Mind last month to discuss recovery, family, and twenty years in the music industry. A big thanks to Michael, Cori, Nancy, Millie and Bub for having us on to discuss the unique challenges that creatives on the road face in recovery! Check out the episode HERE

Please be on the lookout next month, as we begin a new series discussing recovery and music, from the viewpoint of professionals in recovery. This series will focus on healthy practices and getting started in music for young people, and our first episode will feature friend and ally Joanne Croxford. Joanne helped create the Passenger Tuesday 12 Step meetings three years ago, is an LGBTQ diversity specialist in the industry, and has worked with Robbie Williams, Duran Duran and many more. 

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services held an RCO Forum (Recovery Community Organizations) with the folks at Faces & Voices of Recovery this month, and Michigan was recognized as a “State of innovation” for RCOs, with Passenger getting a nod by senior coordinator Marianna Reid. 

Finally, “Touring and Mental Health: The Music Industry Manual” is out NOW! This book is years in the making, and arrives via the Music Industry Therapist Collective and Omnibus Press – publishers of music-based books for five decades. We were honored to speak with creator/editor and psychotherapist Tamsin Embleton about Passenger and the rigors of touring in recovery during the creation of the book, which includes personal recollections from Nile Rodgers (CHIC), Charles Thompson (Pixies) and many, many more. This Manual will help musicians and those working in live music to identify, process and manage the physical and psychological difficulties that can occur on the road or as a result of touring.From the editor:Covering topics including: emotional intelligence, depression, trauma, crisis management, anger and conflict, stress, addiction (substance & process; sex & porn), eating disorders, anxiety (performance; flight; general), group dynamics, mindset, exercise, physical health (hearing; vocal; sexual; general), optimal performance, dealing with the media, diversity and inclusion, romantic relationships, nutrition, sleep science, breathwork, meditation, duty of care, mental capacity, psychological safety and post-tour recovery, Touring and Mental Health – The Music Industry Manual is written by health and performing arts medicine professionals to provide robust clinical advice, cutting edge research, practical strategies and valuable resources.

Passenger is always advocating for music and recovery in our community, and we greatly appreciate any contributions to help keep our wheels in motion! If you are able, please consider a donation here.

Spring Mixer April 16th, 1-5pm

Look for us at the DCFC/Keyworth Stadium home games!

Next Month: Discussion with Joanne Croxford

Winter 2022

Greetings friends, and happy holiday season to you!

The Detroit-area Music Mixer earlier this month was a great opportunity to discuss some rather serious subject matter in a relaxed, sunday afternoon atmosphere.  Members of our local music community, along with reps from Families Against Narcotics and Hegira Health, came together at Berkley Coffee to perform and discuss the addiction and overdose issues that our community is increasingly facing (also a HUGE thanks to Polish Village for the amazing food). These gatherings are picking up steam, and there will be a Spring Mixer at Planet Ant/Ant Hall in Hamtramck on Sunday, April 16th. We will send a reminder beforehand, and hope you will join us! See photos below

Also, our Music & 12-step online group is turning THREE next month! What began as a meeting for touring artists in early 2020, quickly turned into a space for everyone in isolation to find community through the pandemic. As the wheels have started turning again, we’ve continued this Tuesday morning group and are proud to have been there every Tuesday morning since January of 2020. Please share this info if you know someone who might benefit!

Finally, a very big thanks to Cheryl Alterman and The Music Soup for sharing about Passenger in this month’s Issue. Cheryl is a rock photographer in the San Francisco area, and we’re grateful for her words on recovery, and for shedding some light on what we do here in Detroit!

Wishing you a fantastic season from all of us here at Passenger. Please see the bottom of this message for Southeast Michigan recovery resources for the holiday season. There are virtual options, please be safe out there! 

NA online meeting – goes every day all day – Click Here

AA online meeting – goes every day all day –  Click Here

Meditation on purpose in life. “My actions right now create the mind I will live with in the future” – Dharma Punx

South Macomb Christmas Party – 

Dinner at 630, meeting at 730 – 23801 Kelly Road, Eastpointe St Thomas

Canton/West Wayne County Alkathon

Meetings from 9PM Dec 24 – 7AM Dec 26 – 8669 Lilley Road, Canton Alano

Harrison Twp Xmas Day Alkathon – 

Doors at 8AM 37000 Union Lake Road Bethlehem Lutheran

Fall 2022

Greetings and Happy Autumn! We hope this season is bringing positive change and growth to you and yours.

September was National Recovery Month, and it was a great chance for us to celebrate recovery on both national and local levels. To kick the month off, we partnered with Minneapolis/St Paul’s Dissonance and Austin’s SIMS Foundation for the national online screening premiere of The Creative High. This amazing film showcases nine artists in recovery and their search for freedom through creativity. The online screening included a panel with the Filmmakers, dancer Peter Griggs, and Wes Geer of Rock To Recovery. It was a great chance to discuss the positive ways that life changes in recovery, and the struggles that come with being in the creative industry and making those lifestyle changes. Click here to watch this fantastic panel for free!

Passenger also partnered with TEMPO (Training and Empowering Musicians to Prevent Overdose) and the Gibson Guitars Foundation to distribute naloxone at the Hamtramck Festival 2022. Placed at the North Stage, our tent provided a great opportunity to talk with bands and festival-goes alike about the benefits of having this life-saving tool on hand. See pictures from the festival below. 

We will be holding another Musician’s Mixer on December 4th, in partnership with the Playing In The Detroit Area Tonight fb group! This event will take place at Berkeley Coffee, and we will send full details in the coming month. 

Happy Halloween to you all, and thank you for continuing to support musicians and creatives in recovery! 

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