It may look like your average coffee shop, but really, it's all about a mission. And it starts with a unique name. "Ancora is Latin for anchor, and so we see ourselves as serving as the anchor for our community," Kurly Tlapoyawa, executive director for Anchor Transitional, said. Especially when it comes to addiction.New Mexico is just one of many throughout the United States, seeing a big epidemic for drugs like fentanyl and opioids.So Ancora Cafe and Bakery, located on Quincy Street in northeast Albuquerque, is doing something about it. "From growing up around addiction, I had a lot of my own personal baggage on how I viewed people," Tlapoyawa said. "So, being put into this position, it's helped me overcome those biases and just really see the value in working with people."As the executive director, that means overseeing the cafe's own program. It's through a partnership with Perfectly Imperfect, an outpatient treatment center, located not too far away from Ancora.Since 2020, the cafe has brought in those struggling and given them jobs. But that's not all. The program also teaches skills, from baking and being a barista, to teamwork and leadership. "I just like to create things, and they give you the freedom here to just explore yourself. If you take the initiative here, the rewards are yours," Michael Perino, crew member for Ancora, said.It's an experience Perino is grateful for. As an addict for 16 years, he said fentanyl and opioids completely changed his life. He was also in and out of jail. However, unlike other programs, this one is sticking."If your work is tied to your counseling, and just the way they do it over here, it's not about profit. It's about the experience and giving us the skills to reintegrate into society," Perino said.And thanks to the opportunity, he's not alone."It's not been easy, but it's been a choice the whole way. Like, I want to live. I want recovery. I want to experience all that life has to offer," Tiffany Edwards, crew leader for Ancora, said.For Edwards, it's a safe and judgment-free environment. A rewarding impact, after a really hard past. "Fleeing domestic violence and ended up in the shelter with my children," she said. "I had my children removed from my care, you know, because of my drug use."And the crew member is excited for what's to come. "I was just going to continue on my road to recovery and staying sober. Possibly being a , so that I can give back and be supportive for my peers like I've received here," Edwards said.With encouraging leaders standing by her side. "I'm super proud of them. They're awesome," Tlapoyawa said. "Every day, it's really nice coming to work, because this is very different to anything I've ever done before."This year alone, the cafe has trained over 70 people. Officials have also provided over 10,000 free meals to those in recovery. To learn more about their work and efforts, visit their website here.If you or someone you know needs help, be sure to call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-4357. It's a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service.
It may look like your average coffee shop, but really, it's all about a mission.
And it starts with a unique name.
"Ancora is Latin for anchor, and so we see ourselves as serving as the anchor for our community," Kurly Tlapoyawa, executive director for Anchor Transitional, said.
Especially when it comes to addiction.
New Mexico is just one of many throughout the United States, seeing a big epidemic for drugs like fentanyl and opioids.
So Ancora Cafe and Bakery, located on Quincy Street in northeast Albuquerque, is doing something about it.
"From growing up around addiction, I had a lot of my own personal baggage on how I viewed people," Tlapoyawa said. "So, being put into this position, it's helped me overcome those biases and just really see the value in working with people."
As the executive director, that means overseeing the cafe's own program.
It's through a partnership with Perfectly Imperfect, an outpatient treatment center, located not too far away from Ancora.
Since 2020, the cafe has brought in those struggling and given them jobs.
But that's not all. The program also teaches skills, from baking and being a barista, to teamwork and leadership.
"I just like to create things, and they give you the freedom here to just explore yourself. If you take the initiative here, the rewards are yours," Michael Perino, crew member for Ancora, said.
It's an experience Perino is grateful for.
As an addict for 16 years, he said fentanyl and opioids completely changed his life. He was also in and out of jail.
However, unlike other programs, this one is sticking.
"If your work is tied to your counseling, and just the way they do it over here, it's not about profit. It's about the experience and giving us the skills to reintegrate into society," Perino said.
And thanks to the opportunity, he's not alone.
"It's not been easy, but it's been a choice the whole way. Like, I want to live. I want recovery. I want to experience all that life has to offer," Tiffany Edwards, crew leader for Ancora, said.
For Edwards, it's a safe and judgment-free environment. A rewarding impact, after a really hard past.
"Fleeing domestic violence and ended up in the shelter with my children," she said. "I had my children removed from my care, you know, because of my drug use."
And the crew member is excited for what's to come.
"I was just going to continue on my road to recovery and staying sober. Possibly being a [certified peer support worker], so that I can give back and be supportive for my peers like I've received here," Edwards said.
With encouraging leaders standing by her side.
"I'm super proud of them. They're awesome," Tlapoyawa said. "Every day, it's really nice coming to work, because this is very different to anything I've ever done before."
This year alone, the cafe has trained over 70 people. Officials have also provided over 10,000 free meals to those in recovery.
To learn more about their work and efforts, visit their website here.
If you or someone you know needs help, be sure to call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration at 1-800-662-4357. It's a free, confidential, 24/7, 365-day-a-year treatment referral and information service.
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Coffee with a mission: Albuquerque cafe helping those through recovery - KOAT New Mexico
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