Advocacy
Fresh Start is grateful to be part of a A National Commitment to Recovery from the Disease of Addiction in Canada.
– Mr. Stacey Petersen RSW • Former Executive Director, FSRC
Advocacy
Recovery Week 2021
A NATIONAL CELEBRATION
Recovery Day was first celebrated in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, BC on September 30th, 2012 as a public display of the freedom from addiction. Since then, the movement has spread throughout Canada, encompassing communities large and small, from East to West. We come together in the month of September to build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of millions of Canadians. Calgary came on board in 2013 and hosted the first every recovery day in Calgary at Olympic Plaza. Calgary’s Recovery Day will be on September 8, 2019 at Poppy Plaza – 1111 Memorial Drive VW
The Wellness Walk is held annually to promote the importance of community consciousness for healthy living and an addiction free lifestyle. Last year (2017) over 185 community members attended the 18th annual Wellness Walk. Participants listened to inspirational speakers, shared a meal together, walked through the downtown streets, and enjoyed traditional native drumming and dancing. Wellness, addiction treatment and program information booths were also available to participants. This year we hope to have even more Calgary and area community members join us as we walk and share a meal.
A NATIONAL CELEBRATION
Recovery Day was first celebrated in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, BC on September 30th, 2012 as a public display of the freedom from addiction. Since then, the movement has spread throughout Canada, encompassing communities large and small, from East to West. We come together in the month of September to build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of millions of Canadians. Calgary came on board in 2013 and hosted the first every recovery day in Calgary at Olympic Plaza. Calgary’s Recovery Day will be on September 9, 2018 at Poppy Plaza – 1111 Memorial Drive VW
Life in Recovery from Addiction in Canada Survey Report (2017)
The Canadian Centre on Substance Use and Addiction (CCSA), together with the National Recovery Advisory
Committee, conducted the first Canadian survey of people in recovery from addiction to alcohol and drugs. This
survey provides a wealth of information about recovery in Canada that can inform healthcare providers, decision
makers and the public as they work towards building a system of care and a society that supports the principles
of recovery and celebrates recovery.
What Does this Study Mean for You? The survey findings show that recovery is achievable and leads to positivecitizenship and positive life outcomes. People use different paths in their recovery journey, as shown by the variety of programs and informal supports reported by participants. However, participants also described
problems accessing treatment, financial barriers with privately funded treatment services and facilities, stigma
and discrimination, and other barriers to recovery. These findings help us better understand what a system of
care that supports recovery ought to look like. For example, such a system would offer a wide range of
coordinated treatment, as well as support services in communities. Importantly, those services would be
accessible and timely, as long wait times and financial challenges were among the common barriers mentioned by
people who completed the survey. The results from the Canadian LIR survey can inform healthcare providers,
decision makers and the public as they work toward building an effective system of care and a society that
promotes and celebrates recovery.
CCSA is developing a resource for service providers and decision makers to increase knowledge about the
principles of recovery, and the types of policies and practices that can help reduce barriers and create a
system of care that supports recovery. This will be a living resource that can be updated as new research or
practices become available, or as additional tools are needed. Visit CCSA’s website to access this resource and
others as they become available. Please contact recovery@ccsa.ca if you are interested in sharing examples of
policies, practices or tools that support recovery, or if you have suggestions for new tools or resources that
can be developed.
Vision
Through this National Commitment to Recovery in Canada, we collectively declare our vision for a Canada in which:
- Recovery is real, available, attainable and sustainable.
- Recovery is an ongoing journey free of stigma and discrimination.
- Individuals, families, workplaces and communities are celebrated for their perseverance and
- commitment to Recovery.
- Recovery-focused services and supports are based on collaboration and partnership.
Principles
- There are many pathways in Recovery
- Recovery involves a process of personal growth along a continuum leading to abstinence. It includes a range of services and supports that spans peer support, mutual aid, early identification and intervention, outreach and engagement, specialized treatment, relapse prevention and continuing care.
- Recovery requires collaboration
- Recovery-focused systems require collaboration across sectors, including peer support and mutual aid, health, social, educational, criminal justice, employment, economic, spiritual and housing sectors.
- Recovery is a personal journey toward wellbeing
- Recovery is an ongoing and dynamic process that is unique to the individual’s strengths, culture, gender, personal qualities and experiences.
- Recovery extends beyond the individual
- Recovery involves family, peers, workplaces and the community.
- Recovery is multidimensional
- Recovery enhances physical, social, mental, emotional and spiritual health.
- Recovery involves everyone
- Everyone has a role to play in overcoming the stigma of addiction and in supporting and celebrating Recovery.
Let’s celebrate Recovery!
National Summit for Addiction Recovery
The Summit was held on January 27 & 28 2015 in Ottawa, Ontario. This Summit was the first of its kind in Canada, a historic event involving fifty of Canada’s leading minds on the topic of Recovery, Treatment, Research and Education. Health Minister Rona Ambrose spoke and offered her support as well as offer her gratitude for a meeting of this kind. Participants achieved consensus on Canadas first Nation Commitment on Addiction Recovery.
Canadian Research Initiative on Substance Misuse (CRISM) – Intervention for substance misuse is a pressing and complex health issue that requires evidence-based approaches, an understanding of the biological, psychosocial and social factors and an acknowledgement of the important impact of cultural and societal contexts in order to be truly effective. Many intervention modalities exist and are known to have excellent results, yet they have not been widely implemented.
CIHR-INMHA has developed CRISM, a national research consortium in substance misuse. This consortium will be unique for substance misuse research in Canada in that it will focus on translation and implementation and be cross-pillar in nature. CRISM is modeled after the National Institute on Drug Abuse’s Clinical Trial Network.
In 2014, CIHR provided infrastructure funds to establish 4 regional CRISM Nodes, one each located in BC, the Prairies, Ontario, and Quebec/Atlantic.
The overall objectives of the CRISM network are to:
Identify and/or develop the most appropriate clinical and community-based prevention or treatment interventions for substance misuse;
Provide evidence to support the enhancement of prevention or treatment services regarding substance misuse to decision makers and service providers; and
Support improvement in the quality of care and quality of life for Canadians living with substance misuse.
Mandate
The Regional Coordinating Committee (RCC) will set strategic direction (with respect to research priorities and opportunities for collaboration across the CRISM network), resource allocation and staffing for the Prairie Node, and will provide strategic oversight of initiatives to secure complementary funding
A NATIONAL CELEBRATION
Recovery Day was first celebrated in the cities of Vancouver and Victoria, BC on September 30th, 2012 as a public display of the freedom from addiction. Since then, the movement has spread throughout Canada, encompassing communities large and small, from East to West. We come together in the month of September to build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of millions of Canadians. Calgary came on board in 2013 and hosted the first every recovery day in Calgary at Olympic Plaza.
During the month of September, Canadians in recovery from addiction join with friends and family to build awareness, challenge societal stigma, and celebrate the role that recovery plays in improving the lives of individuals, families, workplaces and communities.
We believe that recovery saves lives.
We envision a world in which recovery from addiction is a common, celebrated reality – a world where individuals will not experience shame when seeking help.
We are passionate about sharing our stories of recovery in the hope of inspiring others to join us on the rewarding yet diverse path to wholeness.
Together we will demonstrate the power and proof of recovery from addiction.
To find out how you can get involved, contact your local city committee or email info@recoverydaycanada.com
COMMUNITY PARTNERS
The Government of Alberta supports Recovery Oriented Systems of Care and Recovery-Oriented Communities of Care which include addiction treatment and post-treatment housing. Their goal is to create lasting Recovery in Alberta for individuals, families, and entire communities promoting the fact that Recovery is Real, Attainable, and Sustainable. All Albertans can experience the positive and healing effects of Recovery Capital. For more information please visit their website https://www.alberta.ca/addiction-mental-health.aspx
for more information about Fresh Start Recovery or any of our programs.
Your gift changes lives.
FROM OUR BLOG
Aventa and Fresh Start Recovery Sober and Clean Halloween Party
Purchase Tickets: Aventa and Fresh Start Recovery invite you to a Sober and Clean Halloween Party – Fresh Start Events Check out the Facebook Post: Fresh Start and Aventa present a #Sober and #Clean #Halloween Dance | Facebook Hope to see you there!!
Fresh Start Recovery is Among Canada’s Top 100 Impact Charities!
We are excited to announce that Fresh Start Recovery has once again been recognized as one of the Top 100 Rated Charities in Canada for 2024 by Charity Intelligence Canada. This prestigious acknowledgment highlights our commitment to making a measurable difference in the lives of individuals and families recovering from addiction.
Thank You for Your Continued Support!
Your generous contributions have been instrumental in helping us provide life-changing programs and services. With your help we are providing solutions that recover lives.
Make the Most of Your Donations
We encourage you to consider the difference your donations can make. According to a 2020 Angus Reid survey, 60% of Canadians are now doing more research before donating to charities. Charity Intelligence’s Top 100 list serves as a valuable resource for informed giving, showcasing charities that have been thoroughly analyzed and vetted.
Why Informed Giving Matters:
Maximize Your Impact: Charity Intelligence’s rigorous analysis estimates that top-impact charities deliver on average, $6 in value for every $1 donated, compared to the overall average of $1.50.
Transparency and Accountability: By looking beyond name recognition and marketing, you can ensure your donations are used effectively to create real change.
Support Undiscovered Gems: Many top-rated charities like Fresh Start Recovery are lesser-known organizations that deliver exceptional results.
Be Informed. Give Intelligently. Have Impact.
Your support enables us to continue our vital work. By choosing to donate to top-rated charities like Fresh Start Recovery, you ensure that your contributions are having the greatest possible impact.
How to Donate:
Online: Visit our website at https://www.freshstartrecovery.ca/donate/ to make a secure online donation.
Learn More: Explore Charity Intelligence’s reports and resources at www.charityintelligence.ca.
Thank you for being a part of our purpose to transform lives. Your generosity and trust empower us to continue our work with transparency, accountability, and impactful results.
A Comment from the Executive Director of Fresh Start Recovery:
At Fresh Start Recovery, our mission is to recover lives by Housing, Treating and Supporting people affected by addiction. We continue to help individuals and families to overcome addiction and build fulfilling lives.
Being recognized by Charity Intelligence as one of Canada’s Top 100 Rated Charities confirms the dedication of our staff, volunteers, and supporters, who work tirelessly to make a difference every day.
We are committed to transparency, accountability, and delivering measurable results. Our programs are designed based on evidence-based practices that address the root causes of addiction, providing comprehensive support that extends beyond treatment to include aftercare and community reintegration.
We greatly appreciate the thorough analysis conducted by Charity Intelligence. Their work not only helps donors make informed decisions but also encourages charities like ours to strive for excellence. We believe that informed giving leads to greater impact, and we are proud to demonstrate the effectiveness of our programs through tangible outcomes.
To our donors, partners, and the communities we serve, thank you for your continued support. Together, we are providing solutions to recover lives and helping to build healthier, stronger communities.
Sincerely,
Bruce Holstead
Executive Director
Fresh Start Recovery