Our Collective Journey

02/09/2026

Did you get a chance to check out our most recent podcast of From Darkness to Life?

In this emotionally supercharged and heartfelt episode Poncho sits down with Karen Worrell, a member of the Fire Keeper’s Women’s Society, to discuss her journey of healing after the devastating loss of her grandson Denver and mother in 2024.

Karen delves into the cultural significance of the Fire Keeper’s Women’s Society, her family’s role in her healing process, and the collective impact of Denver’s memory, which continues to inspire many through various initiatives including Denver’s Destinations on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61573938644262).

The episode underscores the importance of community, family, and cultural connections in the process of grieving and healing.

Listeners are encouraged to reach out for support through ourcollectivejourney.ca or on Facebook at Our Collective Journey.

Karen will also be joining us at Southern Alberta Regional Recovery Conference as part of our Indigenous Panel as well as leading our land acknowledgement.

You can find Karen’s very special episode on your podcast platform of choice, or by heading to ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast

02/09/2026

The 5th Annual Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival is coming...

📅Save the dates.
👉🏼Share this post.

02/09/2026

Save the dates in your calendar! This year will be the best Rise Up yet.

02/05/2026

There are a few last spots available for this awesome upcoming program! Email Hannah.S@ourcollectivejourney.ca to secure your spot now!

We’re excited to open pre-registration for Resilient by Design — a FREE, 6-week guided art program for youth and young adults looking to build resilience, connection, and self-expression through creativity.

What to expect:
• Weekly resilience-themed art sessions every Tuesday
• Led by professional artists and OCJ Resilience Coaches
• All experience levels welcome
• Dinner provided each week
• Artwork showcased in upcoming community exhibits

Where: Kickstand Medicine Hat (1001 Kingsway Ave SE)
When: Tuesdays, starting February 10
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM (6 weeks)
Who: Youth ages 11–25

This program is about more than art, it’s about creating space for young people to explore resilience, identity, and strength in a supportive, welcoming environment.

To register:
Email hannah.s@ourcollectivejourney.ca or call 403-800-1191

This program is in partnership with Medicine Hat Family Service and Kickstand Medicine Hat, and funded by Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta.

Please share to help us reach youth who could benefit from this creative, community-based experience 💙

02/05/2026

Join us on February 5!

Pathways to Recovery is a drop-in support group that brings together people who have been impacted by addiction. These meetings, hosted by Our Collective Journey, offer a space for people to share, educate and support each other on their path to recovery.

This month's meetings take place on Thursday, Feb. 5, and Thursday, Feb. 19, at 6:30 p.m. in the Library Theatre.

02/02/2026

📣IT’S TIME TO GET YOUR TICKETS📣

“Rise Up: The Film” is coming to the big screen in Medicine Hat for an unforgettable weekend at The Monarch Theatre.

📍 April 17–19
🎬 Evening screenings on April 17 & 18
🎥 Sunday matinee on April 19

This powerful documentary captures the heart, resilience, and community behind Rise Up, and proceeds from ticket sales will go directly toward supporting Our Collective Journey programming in our community.

🎟 TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW AT https://buy.tixx.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=1670

A huge thank you to Emily and Brendin from A Province Apart for bringing this story to life with honesty and impact.

Medicine Hat, mark your calendars.
This is going to be a huge Rise Up weekend! 🎈

02/02/2026

📣HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT📣

“Rise Up: The Film” is coming to the big screen in Medicine Hat for an unforgettable weekend at The Monarch Theatre.

📍 April 17–19
🎬 Evening screenings on April 17 & 18
🎥 Sunday matinee on April 19

This powerful documentary captures the heart, resilience, and community behind Rise Up, and proceeds from ticket sales will go directly toward supporting Our Collective Journey programming in our community.

🎟 Tickets are onsale now!!!
👉🏼 https://buy.tixx.ca/eventperformances.asp?evt=1670

A huge thank you to Emily and Brendin from A Province Apart for bringing this story to life with honesty and impact.

Medicine Hat, mark your calendars.
This is going to be a huge Rise Up weekend! 🎈

02/02/2026

All week we are with our friends at Kickstand Medicine Hat from 3-6 PM hanging out with youth from 11-25! Join us Monday to Friday!

Hey Medicine Hat! We are kicking off February with a week full of opportunities for you to connect, create, and take care of you 💜
Come down to Kickstand and take part in what's planned, all thanks to our amazing partners at Medicine Hat Family Service Our Collective Journey Ever Active

Stay tuned because we have lots more planned and some new partners to introduce to you this month!

01/30/2026

We’re excited to open pre-registration for Resilient by Design — a FREE, 6-week guided art program for youth and young adults looking to build resilience, connection, and self-expression through creativity.

What to expect:
• Weekly resilience-themed art sessions every Tuesday
• Led by professional artists and OCJ Resilience Coaches
• All experience levels welcome
• Dinner provided each week
• Artwork showcased in upcoming community exhibits

Where: Kickstand Medicine Hat (1001 Kingsway Ave SE)
When: Tuesdays, starting February 10
Time: 4:00–6:00 PM (6 weeks)
Who: Youth ages 11–25

This program is about more than art, it’s about creating space for young people to explore resilience, identity, and strength in a supportive, welcoming environment.

To register:
Email hannah.s@ourcollectivejourney.ca or call 403-800-1191

This program is in partnership with Medicine Hat Family Service and Kickstand Medicine Hat, and funded by Community Foundation of Southeastern Alberta.

Please share to help us reach youth who could benefit from this creative, community-based experience 💙

01/25/2026

The Southern Alberta Regional Recovery Conference is shaping up to be our best one yet, and Jill Drader’s recent podcast with our team at fdtlpodcast is a great indicator of what’s in store.

In this episode of From Darkness to Life, Poncho speaks with transformation strategist and keynote speaker Jill Drader about the power of embracing change, intuition, and community in personal recovery. Jill shares her own journey through trauma and addiction, and how these experiences led to the development of her Knowings methodology.

Throughout the conversation, Jill emphasizes the importance of mental health support, self-forgiveness, and learning to trust one's intuition. She challenges the idea that recovery follows a single, linear path, advocating instead for a personalized and multifaceted approach that honours individual experience.

The episode explores the role of supportive communities, as well as the impact of nature and spirituality in healing and long-term resilience.

These same themes will be explored more deeply when Jill Drader joins SARRCon (Southern Alberta Regional Recovery Conference) as a keynote speaker, where she will lead an immersive workshop grounded in Knowings: Where Logic and Intuition Meet. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage directly with the tools and insights

Jill discusses in this episode, translating personal awareness into meaningful leadership and community action.

Listen now, and join us at SARRCon to continue the conversation.

Visit the OCJ podcast at https://ourcollectivejourney.ca to listen to this and past podcasts and get your ticket to SARRCon '26, and Jill Drader's website at https:// www.jilldrader.com/

This episode and others are also available to stream on all major podcast platforms.

01/21/2026

Today is Day, a day that encourages open conversations about mental health, and reminds us how deeply mental health and sobriety are connected.

At OCJ, we know that mental health challenges and substance use often intersect. Stress, anxiety, trauma, grief, and depression can all impact recovery, especially when they go unaddressed. Sobriety isn’t just about abstaining from substances, it’s about learning how to cope, regulate emotions, and build a life that supports wellness.

That’s where resilience comes in. Resilience doesn’t mean “pushing through” or pretending things are fine. It means developing healthy coping skills, building supportive connections, setting boundaries, and asking for help when it’s needed. These practices strengthen both mental health and long-term sobriety.

Recovery-focused support, like recovery coaching, helps individuals build resilience one step at a time. Through compassion, accountability, and lived experience, OCJ supports people as they navigate challenges and create stability in their lives.

On Bell Let’s Talk Day, let’s remember that talking matters, but so does supporting one another beyond the conversation.

If you or someone you love is struggling, support is available. You don’t have to walk this journey alone. Send us a DM to learn more.

01/20/2026

Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival is rolling out for 2026 and sponsorship opportunities are available!

Why sponsor the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival?

Because your business deserves to be seen, remembered, and celebrated by thousands of people right here in Medicine Hat. Sponsoring Rise Up aligns your brand with a joyful, family-friendly signature event that brings our community together, creates unforgettable visual moments, and drives real local engagement. It’s not just advertising, it’s visibility, goodwill, and connection with the people who live, shop, and support local.

Check out the Rise Up post for more details on how your business can get involved!

- SPONSORS - Be part of something that continues to grow, year after year🎈

As we head into the 5th Annual Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival, this signature event is building momentum through strong community support, increasing reach, and meaningful local impact.

Sponsors gain valuable brand visibility, align with a trusted community-driven event, and connect with an engaged audience in a way that feels authentic and lasting.

👉🏼Sponsorship opportunities are now available. Request a sponsorship package or reach out to start the conversation.

📨sponsors@riseupmh.ca

🗓️ May 21-24, 2026