Free Virtual Support Groups
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Tuesday, April 12th is the return of our Peer-Led Support Group program!  This time around we will be breaking up our mental health education topics into a three-part series.  We hope you will join us every Tuesday to learn about how our industry impacts our mental health and how we can heal.  

We are also now collecting emails from attendees to help us stay connected!  If you are comfortable sharing your email with us, please sign up below.  If there are any questions please send us an email at contact@restaurantafterhours.org  

Part 1:  Mental Health in the Hospitality Industry:
Tuesday, April 12th - Anxiety & Stress
Tuesday, April 19th - Depression
Tuesday, April 26th - Anger
Tuesday, May 3rd - Substance Use

Part 2:  Practicing Wellness in the Hospitality Industry:
Tuesday, May 24th - Wellness
Tuesday, May 31st - Mindfulness
Tuesday, June 7th - Somatic Coping
Tuesday, June 14th - Intentionality

Part 3:  Protecting Energy in the Hospitality Industry
Tuesday, June 28th - Relationships
Tuesday, July 5th - Boundaries
​Tuesday, July 12th - Resilience

All meetings will occur at 11am EST/10am CST
Zoom link and more meeting information below!  Don't forget to subscribe below as well!

​Support Group Information:

One-click Zoom link to join (same for all meetings):
https://us06web.zoom.us/j/8284303006
All participants will be entering a waiting room beforehand

​Or sign into zoom.us
Meeting ID: 828 430 3006

If anyone is unfamiliar how to use Zoom, please send us an email at contact@restaurantafterhours.org
We are here to support you.  

Consider following us on social media for reminders of the meetings.  You will find links to our social channels at the bottom of this page.  
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Support Group Information:

​Restaurant After Hours offers a free virtual support group program via Zoom.  These groups are intended to a private, safe, comfortable, non-judgmental space where hospitality workers can share their thoughts and concerns with peers. 

The groups are overseen by facilitators trained under mental health counselors, whom also provide a psychoeducation (or mental health education) takeaway or coping skill for attendees to use in their personal lives if they wish. 

Psychoeducation topics and coping skills will include general wellness and self-care, anxiety, depression, mindfulness, grounding, boundaries, substance use, trauma, relationships, and resilience.  From Sunday through Tuesdays, the meetings will cover the same topic, but we encourage attendees to join as many meetings as they are able to.  The discussions will happen organically amongst peers and facilitators.   ​

​Sharing is encouraged, but listening is okay.  We want you to feel as comfortable as possible.   We do not record any meetings and any personal information shared remains confidential, and we ask the same from attendees.   It is up to the attendee to turn their video on or off, or change their display name on Zoom if they wish to remain anonymous.
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Meet our Facilitators!

Kiri Lester-Hodges
​Support Group Facilitator, Restaurant After Hours

Kiri is a graduate student studying Creative Arts Therapy at Pratt Institute.  She has experience working front-of-house positions in bakeries, cafes, bars, restaurants, and currently is working as a host in a well-known restaurant and wine bar in Brooklyn, NY. 

The virtual support groups are important to her because she has witnessed and experienced first-hand the particular strain on mental health that occurs in the hospitality industry.  She feels strongly about creating and holding spaces where peer-to-peer connection, discussion, and healing is encouraged and supported.  

Lynda Thomas
​Support Group Facilitator, Restaurant After Hours

Lynda lives in Dallas, TX and is currently pursuing her Master's Degree in clinical psychology, after receiving her Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of North Texas.  

Before joining Restaurant After Hours, Lynda worked in the hospitality industry for over six years in multiple different roles.  She is excited to begin helping others have healthy conversations surrounding mental health and hopes to help them feel empowered.  

Taylor Bauer
​Support Group Facilitator, Restaurant After Hours

Taylor was born and raised in Minnesota, where she lives and works today.  She always had a calling to roles that allowed her to help others.  

She has worked in the hospitality industry for over six years, taking on different roles as they come such as catering, valet, and working the front desk and concierge service of a luxury hotel in Minneapolis.  These positions have been some of the most rewarding as well as the most emotionally challenging she's had.  

When she came across Restaurant After Hours, what drew her to the position of Facilitator was the opportunity to give back to the people who spend their days giving, oftentimes thanklessly, to others as their profession.  Knowing that she gets to hold emotional space for people in the industry and help them feel heard is truly priceless.