S2E12: Finding Purpose and Building Community (Inside the APC Junior Board)S2E12: Finding Purpose and Building Community (Inside the APC Junior Board)
APC Recovery Cafe
The conversation centres on APC’s Junior Board, as Anna Lynn and Gracie explain how it gives young professionals a way to support addiction prevention while building community. They share their experiences and outline the Mahjong and Mocktails event aimed at creating inclusive, alcohol-free social spaces in Birmingham.
26:06•9 Jul 2026
Finding Purpose and Community with the APC Junior Board
Episode Overview
- Joining a junior board offers a social, low-barrier way for young adults to support addiction prevention while building networks and CVs.
- Board service helps fill the gap left by school clubs, giving people meaningful activity outside their regular jobs.
- Lived experience and early volunteering, such as assembling Narcan kits, can deepen personal commitment to harm reduction.
- Events like Mahjong and Mocktails showcase fun, alcohol-free social options and help normalise choosing not to drink.
- APC’s Junior Board focuses on passion for the mission, creating engaged meetings and effective projects that support wider organisational goals.
“"Spirit-free doesn't mean spirit-less. You don't have to have alcohol in order to have fun."”
Curious about how others navigate their sobriety journey? This chat at APC Recovery Cafe zooms in on the APC Junior Board, showing how young adults are turning passion for addiction prevention into practical action and genuine community. Executive Director Nichole sits down with Junior Board President Anna Lynn and Vice President Gracie to break down what a junior board actually is, why it matters, and how it supports substance use prevention in Central Alabama.
Anna Lynn explains that people join for a mix of reasons: "It's a great way to meet friends and other people in industries you're interested in. And it's a great way to volunteer and give back some of the time that you have in your week." Gracie adds that after leaving school clubs and societies, the board fills that gap of wanting something meaningful outside the nine-to-five.
You’ll hear how the board offers a low-barrier way to serve, typically just a few hours a month, yet provides solid experience in leadership, soft skills, and community engagement. Anna Lynn shares her lived experience and early volunteer work assembling Narcan kits and writing to people in treatment facilities, while Gracie talks about how an internship with APC shifted her career towards health education and prevention.
A major highlight is their upcoming "Mahjong and Mocktails" event, designed to introduce fun, alcohol-free social spaces in Birmingham. With signature mocktails, light bites, and open mahjong play for beginners through advanced players, the Junior Board is keen to show that "spirit-free doesn't mean spirit-less" and that you can enjoy a "craft experience" without alcohol. Throughout, there’s a strong focus on building inclusive spaces for sober and sober-curious people, breaking stigma, and giving younger generations a meaningful way to contribute.
If you’ve ever wondered how to plug into addiction prevention while building friendships and your CV, could a junior board like this be your next step?
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