Our Collective Journey

03/27/2026

IT’S PLAYOFF TIME, MEDICINE HAT!

The puck drops TONIGHT for Game 1, and your Medicine Hat Tigers are ready to bring the heat in the WHL Playoffs!

And guess what… OCJ is joining the action! Woo hoo!

We’re so excited to have been invited to the Tigers’ Community Corner where Our Collective Journey and Rise Up will be set up and connecting with fans all game long this Friday!

Stop by our booth to say hello, learn more about our programs, meet Coach Derrick, and celebrate community, recovery and resilience!

We are SO EXCITED for this incredible opportunity to be part of the playoff energy while sharing what OCJ is all about: support, connection, and showing up for each other.

Grab your jersey and your playoff spirit and come cheer loud with us! See you at the game! LET’S GO TIGERS!

03/26/2026

We are absolutely delighted to share this very special podcast episode, our first LIVE episode recorded at Southern Alberta Regional Recovery Conference just last week.

This episode, hosted by Poncho Parker, features Medicine Hat business owner and city councillor Chris Hellman, sharing how escalating alcohol use and worsening mental health after COVID led to isolation, depression, and not caring if he lived.

He describes how his wife, parents, and especially his sister intervened with a careful plan that got him into a Vancouver Island (Duncan/Victoria area) treatment centre, where he detoxed, completed 60 days, and returned home with shame and fear of stigma before gradually rebuilding through therapy, medical support, 12-step meetings, peer support work, and community connection.

Chris discusses service gaps, transitional housing, and how gentle, non-judgmental support and listening helped him find hope and sustain 17 months of sobriety.

You can find this episode by searching “From Darkness to Life” on your favourite podcast streaming platform, or by visiting our website here: https://www.ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast

03/25/2026

Do you know a young person who would like to help plan International Youth Day? Learn more about this cool project and check out the info to volunteer here 👇

We spent the evening with an incredible group of passionate young people, working alongside Our Collective Journey , Big Brothers Big Sisters of Medicine Hat & District , and Kickstand Medicine Hat as we are 4 out of many agencies that sit on the leadership of International Youth Day planning committee. These young voices are helping shape International Youth Day on August 5—because creating a meaningful youth event starts with listening to youth.

Nothing about youth without youth—because the best ideas come from the voices living it.

If you have a young person who would like to be part of planning International Youth Day, we’d love to hear from them! Youth voice is at the heart of this event, and we’re always excited to welcome new ideas and perspectives. Please send us a private message or email myplace@sd76.ab.ca to get involved in our next session in May. Its a great opportunity for youth to have their voices heard and to gain some volunteer experience!

03/24/2026

What a week. What a community. 🙌

SARRCon 2026 has come to a close, and we are incredibly grateful to everyone who helped make this year’s conference the most impactful one yet.

Over two days, we saw something powerful come to life: professionals, leaders, peers, and community members coming together with a shared commitment to strengthen recovery across Southern Alberta.

From meaningful conversations to honest lived experience, to practical tools and deep reflection, the feedback has been clear: this was our best SARRCon yet.

A sincere thank you to our presenters and contributors who brought knowledge, experience, and heart to the stage:
Root Cellar Food and Wellness Hub, Medicine Hat Family Service, recoveryalberta,McMan Medicine Hat, Kickstand Medicine Hat, The Mustard Seed, Medicine Hat Community Housing, Ashley Risling, Shane Lang, Hannah Cuthbertson, Liberty Emkeit, Karen Worrell, Janice Randhawa, Jennifer Bowles, Poncho Parker, and Chris Hellman.

A big shout out to our keynote speakers, Dr. Jody Carrington and Jill Drader, who also lead a phenomenal workshop for our participants.

As well as those who helped shape the experience behind the scenes and on stage:
Trevor Moore, Mayor Lindsay Clark, MLA Justin Wright, and Board Director W***y Taillon.

And to our vendors, who are such an important part of the recovery ecosystem:
Stigma Free Mental Health, Reconnected Mental Health, Foothills Centre, RCA Canada, Medicine Hat College, Medicine Hat Family Service, Last Door Recovery

Most importantly, thank you to every attendee. The energy, openness, and commitment in the room are what make SARRCon what it is.

Over the coming weeks, we’ll be sharing highlights and moments from the conference.

For now, thank you for being part of this work!

03/20/2026

The 2026 Volunteer Sign-Up page is now LIVE! 🙌🏼

Each year, over 200 people selflessly step up to help support the festival. With this being the 5th annual festival and even more balloons coming this year, additional volunteer spots are available! Make sure you sign up early so you can receive a Rise Up volunteer t-shirt as well.

Volunteers are needed throughout the entire festival, so there are many options!

Thank you to everyone who chooses to be a part of the Rise Up Army of Volunteers each year! Without you, this festival would not happen!

Click here 👇🏼
https://riseup.ivolunteer.com

03/13/2026

At OCJ, we spend a lot of time focussed on our participants, but the reality is that it takes a special person to be a Recovery Coach.

This is Andrew McKay. Andrew has been our Coaching Manager at OCJ for two years this month. (Happy journey-versary!)

He has many skills, some would even surprise you, but practicing empathy is near the top of that list. Here is what Andrew had to say to all those working in addictions and mental health:

“Working in the field of Mental Health and Addiction is not easy work.

It's the quiet conversations when someone finally tells the truth about their pain.

It's the long days when progress feels invisible.

It's holding hope for someone when they've lost it for themselves.

But it's also the moment a person realizes they are not alone.

It's the first genuine smile after weeks of struggle.

It's watching someone take one small step toward healing that once felt impossible.

To everyone doing this work-counsellors, outreach workers, peer supporters, social workers, recovery coaches, and advocates-your presence matters more than you may ever know.

You may not always see the ripple effect of your effort, but every conversation, every act of compassion, and every moment of patience plants a seed of resilience.

Thank you for showing up.
Thank you for believing in people.
Thank you for doing the work that changes lives.

Keep going.
The world needs you.”

Thank you, Andrew, Derrick, Hannah, and all our recovery coaches and peers in this space. You truly are making a difference.

03/12/2026

Youth are encouraged to join our Resiliency Coach tomorrow at Kickstand Medicine Hat while we make Kindness Keychains!

Access non-judgemental support in our relaxed drop-in space. Join Our Collective Journey’s Resiliency Coach to create Kindness Keychains!

03/10/2026

This is it, folks! Ticket sales close tonight at midnight.

It’s hard to believe in just over a week, professionals from across Southern Alberta will gather in Medicine Hat for two days focused on strengthening recovery, leadership, and community collaboration.

SARRCon is built for the people doing the work every day; addiction counsellors, mental health professionals, educators, outreach workers, recovery coaches, and community leaders.

Over the two days, you’ll experience:

• Dr. Jody Carrington speaking on building resilience in recovery work
• Jill Drader’s keynote and applied workshop exploring Knowings: Where Logic and Intuition Meet
• Panels on collaboration between peer supports and system partners
• Local voices sharing powerful lived experience recovery stories
• A discussion on Indigenous women’s wisdom in healing
• Community spotlight talks highlighting collaboration happening right here in our region
• A live recording of the From Darkness to Life podcast featuring Medicine Hat City Councillor Chris Hellman
• Meaningful networking with professionals across the recovery and mental health sectors

Attendees will also earn 12 CACCF-approved continuing education hours while gaining practical insight, new connections, and renewed purpose in the work. Gain shared language and applied skills you and your team can apply Monday morning.

If you’ve been considering attending, this is the moment to act. Tickets disappear tonight at midnight!

Join us March 19–20 in Medicine Hat and be part of the conversation shaping recovery in our communities.

Secure your pass to SARRCon ‘26 here: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

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03/08/2026

Ticket sales for SARRCon 2026 close March 10, and once they’re gone, they’re gone.

If you work in addiction, mental health, education, or community support, this conference was built for the people doing the work every day. Over two days in Medicine Hat, you’ll be in a room with professionals who understand the challenges, the purpose, and the impact of recovery work.

At SARRCon you’ll:
• Earn 12 CACCF continuing education hours
• Learn from Dr. Jody Carrington and Jill Drader
• Hear powerful local recovery stories and cross-sector collaboration in action
• Participate in an immersive workshop on resilience and leadership
• Experience a live recording of the From Darkness to Life podcast

This isn’t just another conference. It’s a chance to reconnect with the work, the people, and the purpose behind recovery and resiliency building.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, this is the moment to decide.

Ticket sales close March 10.

Join us March 19–20 in Medicine Hat. Secure your pass to SARRCon here: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

03/07/2026

Only a few days left.

Ticket sales for SARRCon 2026 close March 10, and this is your last opportunity to secure your seat.

If you work in addiction, mental health, recovery, education, or community support, SARRCon is designed for the people doing this work every day.

Over two days in Medicine Hat, you’ll join professionals from across Southern Alberta to learn, connect, and strengthen how we support recovery in our communities.

Your registration includes:
• 12 CACCF-approved continuing education hours
• Keynote sessions from Dr. Jody Carrington and Jill Drader
• Practical tools for resilience, leadership, and recovery-oriented practice
• A live recording of the From Darkness to Life podcast
• Meaningful connection with others who understand the work

This is more than a conference. It’s a room full of people committed to doing this work well and supporting each other along the way.

If you’ve been thinking about attending, now is the time.

Ticket sales close March 10. Secure your conference pass here: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

03/05/2026

If you work in addiction, mental health, recovery, or community support, you already know how heavy the work can be.

You hold space for people in crisis.
You navigate complex systems.
You carry stories that most people never hear.

SARRCon exists for the people doing that work.

In two days you will:
• Earn 12 CACCF continuing education hours
• Learn from Dr. Jody Carrington and Jill Drader
• Gain practical tools for resilience, regulation, and leadership
• Connect with professionals across Southern Alberta who understand the work

You’ll also experience a live recording of the From Darkness to Life podcast, featuring real conversations about recovery, leadership, and community.

This isn’t just a conference.
It’s a room full of people who care deeply about the same work you do.
SARRCon 2026
March 19–20
Medicine Hat
Two weeks left to secure your seat. View the full schedule and get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

03/03/2026

Recovery isn’t easy. There can be big gaps between finishing treatment or wanting to change and actually living a healthier, more balanced life. When systems are overwhelmed, wait times are long, or someone isn’t quite ready for clinical supports, a recovery coach steps in to walk alongside them. 

What is a Recovery Coach?
A recovery coach is a trained, supportive guide who helps people initiate, strengthen, and sustain their recovery journey. They don’t diagnose or provide clinical therapy, but they do offer practical encouragement, accountability, and personalized guidance. 

What recovery coaches do:
• Meet you where you’re at and tailor support to your needs. 
• Help set and reach recovery goals one step at a time. 
• Share empathy and insight. Our coaches have lived experience with recovery themselves, which makes the support relatable and real. 
• Offer accountability and encouragement through ups and downs. 

A recovery coach walks beside you, not in front of you; supporting your choices, celebrating your progress, and helping you navigate challenges along the way. 

Ready to take a step forward with OCJ? For recovery or resilience coaching services, please contact Intake at intake@ourcollectivejourney.ca or by phone at 403-866-8118.