Local San Marcos co-op hosts community clothing and gift drive

By Saige Klein

Blog Content Contributor

The Vibes Recovering Co-op in San Marcos hosted a clothing and gift drive last Friday.

The drive took place at The Vibes Co-op and is open to the public. Community members are encouraged to volunteer or support the event through donations.

The Vibes Co-op is a nonprofit, community-focused recovery space that aims to support people struggling with addiction and substance abuse.

Stephanie Ramirez-Pelletier, a former addict, founded the co-op to address the challenges that addiction created for her and her family members.

“The goal with this was to rent out rooms to people who kind of needed a second chance,” said Ramirez. “It’s a safe space for anyone and everyone.”

Ramirez, a mother, survivor, artist and entrepreneur, advocates for people who are experiencing or have experienced addiction. The Vibes Co-op offers safe housing and a community environment for people in recovery. Through activities such as urban gardening, arts and crafts, and community leadership, the co-op gives residents opportunities to channel their energy into creative and constructive outlets.

“We’re trying to teach people to pay attention to their neighbors,” said Ramirez. “If we can check on our neighbors, if we can be good neighbors, and if we can be of service it will help break a lot of the stigma of addiction.”

Ramirez hopes to reduce stigma surrounding addiction. She said that addiction affects people with different stories, backgrounds and experiences, and that it should not be viewed as a defining trait.

The holidays can be a difficult time for many people, including those experiencing addiction or those in recovery. The co-op encourages community members to donate if they can, noting that the drive will support families and help the organization continue assisting people through their recovery.

“I feel like the best way we can win this year is to just stop consuming and start acting in a more community-oriented way, but still to keep our lives with those little dopamine boosts of having something ‘new,’” said Ramirez.

For more information about the drive or The Vibes Co-op, visit https://www.liveinthevibe.com.