The Klub was founded on February 14th, 1985 out of a simple but powerful desire: to create a space dedicated to recovery and fellowship. At that time, there were no Alano Clubs in the area. Local AA meetings were held in various churches and community spaces including St George Church, United Brethren Church on 110th and Ewing, the Fieldhouse at Calumet Park, and the Friday Night Group at St Francis de Sales on 102nd and J.
After their Friday night meetings, a group of men often gathered for coffee at a restaurant on 106th and Ewing. Tired of meeting in public places, they began to talk about having a space of their own. They wanted a place where people in recovery could connect, feel safe, and support one another.
In the spring of 1984, they began to put that idea into action. John Sebek “Handsome John Browneyes” was a key driving force. The first planning meeting was held at St Francis on a Saturday morning, then continued at “Bubs” home and garage. A steering committee was formed, starting with 10 members and eventually growing to 14 or 15. (A list of names is available in our archives display.)
The committee began searching for a location, focusing on several areas including Hegewisch, Whiting, and The East Side. Committee Members pledged a monthly amount of $20 starting in November 1984 to help fund the effort. Those pledges continued even after a site was found because they knew the building would need a lot of work and material.
The building at 10105 S Ewing was owned by Ron Serpe, owner of Skyway Auto, who had previously used it to store inventory for his auto parts store. When he moved his business to a new location, the building became available. When approached, he generously agreed to rent it out and even allowed early access rent free so the committee could begin cleaning and remodeling.
Volunteers spent months getting the space ready and sometimes 25 to 30 people would work at a time. There was a coffee can for $1 a day “suggested” donations, and many people pitched in however they could. Charter memberships were offered for $50, and 28 people signed up, including 4 women. In 1986, the Klub had 139 members!
In the early days, the furniture was simple with just a blue card table and four folding chairs. Later “Handsome John” donated some plastic chairs. Aluminum chairs were sold from a funeral home on 87th and Commercial, and our first podium was purchased there as well. The eight-foot tables in the meeting room came from up north (though no one remembers exactly where).
Many of the Klub’s original furnishings such as desks, cabinets, and chairs were donated by Standard Oil. They were known for supporting non-profits by donating quality used office furnishings. A full list of these donations is in our archives.
A restaurant near 97th and Ewing was closing, Helen’s Truckstop and they sold us a commercial coffee maker for $350. That, along with a Big Book, felt like everything we needed to begin. Even the Klub’s first soda machine has a story. “John Browneyes” was on his way to the Klub and spotted it being replaced outside a store so he purchased the old one for the Klub.
The first AA meeting at the Klub was held on Monday February 11th, 1985, although we celebrate our anniversary on February 14 because, as someone said, “it’s easier to remember on Valentine’s Day” The first open speaker meeting was held in March of that year, and by then, ten AA groups were meeting regularly in the building. Fellowship and community events soon followed and the spirit of that original vision continues to guide us today.