For almost 30 years CHAC has existed for one purpose, “to support all 12-step groups by providing a safe, permanent and welcoming meeting environment” for the LGBT community. Thousands of LGBT community members have passed through the doors of CHAC on the road to recovery free from the possible discrimination in the greater community.

On March 22, 2011, a fire set during the commission of a burglary left The Capitol Hill Alano Club (CHAC) without a home. Through the tireless efforts of individual club members, alternate meeting places were found for most groups. The two largest CHAC meetings, Tuesday night Gay Beginners and the original special interest Gay group in Seattle, Live and Let Live, both moved into space provided by Seattle University. Since then, some meetings have folded, but many found a home at Seattle Area Support Group (SASG), formerly known as Dunshee House. Recovery in the LGBTQ community continued on despite the interruption of this unforeseen adversity. The Board of Directors wishes to acknowledge the tremendous assistance from Seattle University and SASG for their support during the immediate aftermath of the fire.

The CHAC Board of Directors worked with our landlord and made initial plans to move back into the 19th and E Madison location upon completion of the renovations. However, we also were faced with the financial reality that the current lease arrangement was not economically sustainable. The rents being collected along with the periodic fundraisers were not enough to cover the expenses. With that in mind, we pursued other locations for a new club while negotiating with the current landlord for different lease terms. Unfortunately, we were unable to reach a workable agreement with the landlord. Both parties negotiated in good faith, and the CHAC board wishes to thank Landmark Properties for its support through the years.

Over the past several months the CHAC Board of Directors has engaged a commercial real estate agent to search for a suitable home. The criteria were simple: a location in the heart of Capitol Hill with enough room for an 80 person meeting. We came close to securing such a location several times, but were unable to finalize a lease. During that time, the Board also revisited the mission of CHAC. Part of the discussion was to analyze the current status of recovery meetings serving the LGBT community:

• Tuesday Gay Beginners found a suitable home at Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church just west of Seattle Community College
• Friday night’s Live and Let Live group found a home at All Pilgrims Church at Broadway and Harrison
• There are now over 40 recovery meetings each week at SASG.

The analysis showed that the mission of CHAC is being fulfilled. Not in the nature that was deemed necessary in the early 1980’s (under one roof), but in several safe places within the heart of Capitol Hill. After much contemplation & discussion by individual board members, the following resolution was passed unanimously at the March 20th, 2012 Board Meeting:

“Recognizing that the LGBTQ community continues to find recovery in the Seattle area, the board acknowledges that its mission is being fulfilled by the greater recovery community. Therefore, a motion is made to dissolve CHAC as of December 31, 2012.”

Upon formal dissolution of the Capitol Hill Alano Club, there will be some funds remaining. The CHAC board will be fulfilling its fiduciary responsibility by designating how the remaining funds will be distributed after all financial commitments have been settled. The final distribution(s) will be made in the spirit of CHAC’s primary mission of ensuring that LGBT recovery from addiction continues.

As CHAC’s final chapter is written, please remember with gratitude the brave souls who brought CHAC to life, along with:

the countless hours of the many tireless volunteers who kept CHAC alive the community at large who has supported our efforts through the years and most of all, the simple fact that CHAC saved lives in the LGBTQ community

As you “trudge the road to happy destiny“ on your daily journey, may the spirit of CHAC live on in you and through your recovery.