About Teetotal Initiative
Teetotal Initiative is a fast-growing 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Southwestern Pennsylvania dedicated to helping individuals sustain sobriety and rediscover joy in community. We are proud to be among the first organizations in the nation reimagining recovery as something to be celebrated — not endured.
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Through creative, wellness, and social experiences, we’re leading the fight against the top causes of relapse — loneliness, isolation, and boredom — one event at a time. Our programs invite people in recovery, and anyone embracing a sober lifestyle, to connect, heal, and celebrate life through shared experiences that spark creativity, belonging, and hope.
Why Your Support Matters
Treatment helps people stop using.
Community, identity, and joy help them stay sober.
National research and real-world experience show that the leading drivers of relapse are
isolation, boredom, and loneliness - not lack of clinical care. After treatment ends, most people return to a life where they feel socially disconnected and invisible. Teetotal Initiative is closing the most overlooked gap in the recovery ecosystem:
the social, emotional, and lifestyle environments where sobriety thrives.
Your donation helps us:
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, we provide a service to the sobriety and recovery community, and we believe access to this type of connection and support should always be free. Here are a few examples of the free programming we provide each month:
This series is a celebration of the creative arts, inviting people to explore, play, and express themselves. Experiences range from symphony nights with backstage tours at Heinz Hall and musicals at Carnegie Mellon University, to immersive, hands-on workshops like mosaic making, gyotaku (fish printing), calligraphy, screen-printing, bookbinding, and even belly dancing. All of this creativity culminates each September in our annual Fresh A.I.R. Festival, a vibrant celebration of art, connection, and recovery.
Creative Kaleidoscope
This comprehensive wellness series focuses on restoring mind, body, and spirit through grounding and transformative experiences. Offerings include equine therapy, sound healing, drum circles, controlled release, qigong, shamanic healing, astrology, reiki, yoga, meditation, breathwork, and more—creating accessible spaces for reflection, regulation, and personal growth in recovery and sobriety.
Fresh Start
This series focuses on caring for the “rest of life” through upbeat, low-pressure social experiences that build joy, confidence, and community in recovery. From kayaking and indoor mini-golf tournaments to haunted walking tours, karaoke and bingo nights, museum visits, candle making, and even improv classes, these adventures make connection feel natural—and fun.
Everyday Adventures
Teetotal Tastes
This series brings people together through culinary connection - from neighborhood tastings across Strip District, Lawrenceville, Brookline, and the North Side, to Butler County gems like Saxonburg and Harmony. It also features lively in-person and virtual cooking classes - think fresh pasta, sushi rolling, tacos, and zero-proof mocktails - designed to spark joy, confidence, and community around the table.
Teetotal Gives Back
One of our newest series is bringing people in our community together to build connections through service. We recently volunteered at the Western PA Diaper Bank, followed by a well-earned pizza party, and our next volunteer opportunity is scheduled with The Education Partnership - because giving back feels even better when it’s done together.
Our newest regular series takes over the first Monday of every month at Two Frays, featuring all the fun activities you’d expect from a night at the bar - trivia, bingo, karaoke, and more - minus the alcohol. We’re kicking things off with hosted trivia in February, followed by Bingo in March and Karaoke in April, all in a welcoming, zero-proof, community-centered space.
Buzz-Free Bar
Ways to Give & Get Involved
Your gift directly fuels our programs and allows us to keep every event free and accessible.
Corporate partners help us expand our reach and create meaningful impact. Download our 2026 Sponsorship Packet to explore levels and benefits - from naming rights to employee engagement days.
If you're part of a nonprofit, foundation, or organization that shares our mission, we'd love to collaborate.
Our Impact
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Almost one hundred free events hosted since launching in 2023 spanning arts, wellness, volunteerism, and social connection
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3,000+ attendees from across Southwestern Pennsylvania and beyond
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89% of participants report feeling more connected and supported in their recovery
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6 counties currently served with expansion to new regions and virtual programming in 2026
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Over 40 local partners including small businesses, nonprofits, and recovery organizations
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$0 cost to attend. Every program is free thanks to donors, sponsors, and community support
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Dozens of local artists and facilitators hired to lead workshops and performances, creating a ripple effect of community reinvestment
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National recognition through media coverage highlighting Pittsburgh as a leader in sober social innovation
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Celebratory atmosphere. Attendees consistently describe events as “fun,” “healing,” and “life-changing”
“I would be recovering in silence & isolation if Teetotal didn't give me space and community to live and walk my journey. The opposite of addiction is connection. And that is what they do.”
“I am just so lucky I have this community. My addiction isolated me and burned many bridges, and it feels so amazing to feel desired and liked again.”
“I think the mission of this organization is much needed in any city in the U.S. I would love to see the org grow and expand. The world needs it!!”
“I love what Teetotal is doing for the sober/recovery community. Sober folks need a place to meet likeminded people and feel safe knowing they are in an substance-free space. You’re doing it!”
