Recovery & Wellness Community Centre

02/01/2023

*Recovery Peer Support Meeting - this Friday, Feb 3 from 6-7pm*

We are thrilled to once again offer our all-recovery peer support meetings, now taking place every Friday evening from 6 to 7pm ET in our office at P-102, 2020 rue Mackay.

For those who have never attended one of our meetings before, it's worth mentioning that they aren't your typical recovery meeting. We don't follow any particular pathway, and we aren't a 12 step meeting. What we're offering is peer support: a space where you can come share your experiences among those who can relate. You are welcome to come share your achievements as well as your challenges, to receive and to offer encouragement, and most of all to share space with people who get it.

You do not need to be completely abstinent from all substances to attend our meetings nor do you need to have total sobriety as a goal: we believe that harm reduction is important and recovery looks different to everyone. Having said that, we do insist that all meeting attendees and visitors to our space be sober out of respect for everyone present.

Any more questions? Wondering if our recovery support group is right for you? Message us on here or write to us: rawcc@csu.qc.ca

12/13/2022

Guided Meditation 5-6pm EST on Tuesday in Zen Den JMSB (MB 5.285)
Meditators will be guided through a soothing and awareness-driven body scan (also known as Yoga Nidra) with the intention of connecting to all aspects of their bodies; harmonizing mind, body, and soul. Participants will be guided to use breath, visualization, and focus techniques to encourage relaxation and increased awareness of the present moment. Meditators will then be given the opportunity to visualize a serene, safe space within their minds; allowing for the possibility to connect with different emotions, thoughts, or sensations that may emerge through this process.
This event is open to all types of meditators, whether you are more experienced or have never meditated before. This space will be completely confidential, with honour and respect for all participants.
Please note that meditation can bring up powerful physical and mental experiences that may not always be pleasant, in the case that the experience becomes overwhelming participants are free to leave the space no questions asked. There is also the opportunity to share moments of your experience with the group or guide once the meditation has been completed.

12/05/2022

Guided Meditation 6-7pm on Tuesday in Zen Den JMSB (MB 5.285)
Meditators will be guided through a soothing and awareness-driven body scan (also known as Yoga Nidra) with the intention of connecting to all aspects of their bodies; harmonizing mind, body, and soul. Participants will be guided to use breath, visualization, and focus techniques to encourage relaxation and increased awareness of the present moment. Meditators will then be given the opportunity to visualize a serene, safe space within their minds; allowing for the possibility to connect with different emotions, thoughts, or sensations that may emerge through this process.
This event is open to all types of meditators, whether you are more experienced or have never meditated before. This space will be completely confidential, with honour and respect for all participants.
Please note that meditation can bring up powerful physical and mental experiences that may not always be pleasant, in the case that the experience becomes overwhelming participants are free to leave the space no questions asked. There is also the opportunity to share moments of your experience with the group or guide once the meditation has been completed.

11/23/2022

This week is National Addictions Awareness Week. In honour of this year's theme which is , we are hosting a special meeting. Helping Ourselves is a new offering from the Recovery and Wellness Community Centre. Our goal is to provide a non-judgmental, safe environment for those of us who struggle with a loved one experiencing addiction. This is a community-based, peer support group tailored towards the needs of those who are not in active addiction themselves, but are nevertheless impacted by the battles fought by loved ones. This is an open invitation to anyone who needs space to be held within their journey

11/22/2022

This week is , and so we're sharing a little bit of information with you.

Slide 1: What is addiction?

Slide 2: We usually use the term "addiction" to describe a chronic condition of compulsively seeking out certain substances or behaviour, regardless of the consequences.

Slide 3: One way to describe addiction is with the presence of the 4 C's. Craving; loss of Control of amount or frequency of use; Compulsion to use; use despite Consequences.

Slide 4: It is estimated that 21% of Canadians will meet the criteria for addiction in their lifetime.

Slide 5: Notes: Not all substance use is considered addictive behaviour. Biological and environmental factors can contribute to someone developing an addiction. Trauma is considered a major precursor for addiction. There are many avenues for addiction treatment, but some people may experience barriers to accessing them.

11/21/2022

***UPDATE: MEETING CANCELLED***
Due to circumstances beyond our control, we unfortunately cannot host the meeting tonight. We are so sorry for the inconvenience.

*****

Even if the term "addiction" doesn't resonate with you, we're here to chat and support you with your relationship to substance use, whatever that looks like.
Please join us in our cozy space at 2020 Mackay, room P-102, Monday November 21st at 6pm for another all-recovery meeting.
An all-recovery meeting is open to anyone who identifies as being in recovery (or wants to be), and we welcome all pathways. Our meetings are peer-led, non-judgmental spaces where we can build our recovery community and support one another in our goals.
Curious if a RAWCC meeting is right for you? Write to us: rawcc@csu.qc.ca.

10/27/2022

Clearly not just an issue in America, and a really good read regarding the language we use to refer to one another!

“Words matter tremendously, and much of the language we use when we talk about addiction is very dissimilar from the language we use for other health conditions."

10/27/2022

🌈| Q***r Recovery Meeting tomorrow!

🗓Friday, October 27th from 2-3pm. It will be held at our office at P-102, 2020 Mackay.
What is Q***r Recovery?
RAWCC and The Centre for Gender Advocacy (CGA) are creating a space where we can come together to talk about our unique experiences as q***r people who are in recovery, who have lived experience with addiction or problematic substance use, or who just want to cultivate healthier relationships to alcohol or drug use.
This meeting is "all-recovery" meeting, which means that any and all pathways to recovery are welcome and encouraged.
The event is free and open to anyone. For any queries please reach out to rawcc@csu.qc.ca &/or psatraining@genderadvocacy.org
🌈 🌈❤

10/24/2022

Very busy week here at the RAWCC! Here's our schedule for the next few days:

Monday (today), 6-7pm: open all-recovery meeting

Tuesday and Thursday, 12-2pm: open office hours

Friday, 2-3pm: Q***r Recovery

AND THEN...

Friday, 6-9pm: Halloween Party at Frigo Vert! (Check the link in our bio for the FB event!) 👻

10/15/2022

✨| All-Recovery Meeting - We're so glad to be back!
Please join us in our cozy space at 2020 Mackay, room P-102, Thursday September 29th at 6pm for our first all-recovery meeting of the semester.
An all-recovery meeting is open to anyone who identifies as being in recovery (or wants to be), and we welcome all pathways. Our meetings are peer-led, non-judgmental spaces where we can build our recovery community and support one another in our goals.
Curious if a RAWCC meeting is right for you? Send us a DM or an email to rawcc@csu.qc.ca

10/06/2022

🌈| Q***r Recovery Meeting tomorrow!

🗓Friday, October 7th from 2-3pm. It will be held at our office at P-102, 2020 Mackay.
What is Q***r Recovery?
RAWCC and The Centre for Gender Advocacy (CGA) are creating a space where we can come together to talk about our unique experiences as q***r people who are in recovery, who have lived experience with addiction or problematic substance use, or who just want to cultivate healthier relationships to alcohol or drug use.
This meeting is "all-recovery" meeting, which means that any and all pathways to recovery are welcome and encouraged.
The event is free and open to anyone. For any queries please reach out to rawcc@csu.qc.ca &/or psatraining@genderadvocacy.org
🌈 🌈❤

08/24/2022

Exciting new opportunities for our colleagues in Windsor!

Heading off to university or college brings about many changes and for many, it’s an introduction to substances like drugs and alcohol.

07/29/2022

This is today! Come stop in and say hi and have a chat with us! 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️🫶

FIRST Q***R RECOVERY MEETING IN PERSON !

The Centre for Gender Advocacy (CGA) and The Recovery and Wellness Community Centre (RAWCC) present Q***r Recovery Meetings, held every last Friday of the month from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

This month’s meeting will be held IN PERSON! at at our Guy space (2100 Guy st. Suite #205) on Friday July 29th at 2:00-3:00 PM.

RAWCC and CGA are creating a space where we can come together to talk about our unique experiences as q***r people who are in recovery, who have lived experience with addiction or problematic substance use, or who just want to cultivate healthier relationships to alcohol or drug use.

The event is free and open to anyone. For any queries please reach out to rawcc@csu.qc.ca &/or psatraining@genderadvocacy.org

This meeting is "all-recovery" meeting, which means that any and all pathways to recovery are welcome and encouraged.

07/27/2022

"As taking a break from alcohol becomes more common, there’s increasingly more support around not drinking. In person groups or social media accounts can create community, and there are now more options than ever if you’re looking for alcohol alternatives — from booze-free wine to craft mocktails, and even to alcohol-free liquor."

https://www.teenvogue.com/story/sober-curious-young-people-rethinking-alcohol?utm_brand=tv&utm_source=twitter&mbid=social_twitter&utm_medium=social&utm_social-type=owned

Sober curious is cool.

07/22/2022

One week from today!

FIRST Q***R RECOVERY MEETING IN PERSON !

The Centre for Gender Advocacy (CGA) and The Recovery and Wellness Community Centre (RAWCC) present Q***r Recovery Meetings, held every last Friday of the month from 2:00 PM to 3:00 PM.

This month’s meeting will be held IN PERSON! at at our Guy space (2100 Guy st. Suite #205) on Friday July 29th at 2:00-3:00 PM.

RAWCC and CGA are creating a space where we can come together to talk about our unique experiences as q***r people who are in recovery, who have lived experience with addiction or problematic substance use, or who just want to cultivate healthier relationships to alcohol or drug use.

The event is free and open to anyone. For any queries please reach out to rawcc@csu.qc.ca &/or psatraining@genderadvocacy.org

This meeting is "all-recovery" meeting, which means that any and all pathways to recovery are welcome and encouraged.

07/05/2022

The RAWCC is pleased to present a virtual workshop on making comics, facilitated by Kate Lavut.
Tell your story through Comics! You don't have to be an artist to enjoy this low key workshop, just a pencil and some paper!
Join in some no pressure drawing activities and writing prompts and come away with ideas for your own comic book!
Kate Lavut is the author/illustrator of Chico a graphic novel about the time she dressed as a boy, jumped on a bus and went to Mexico.
📅 July 5th | 3PM
🔗 Virtual, Zoom Link in bio, click this link to register (link in bio): https://bit.ly/3N9Nr0A
This session is open to anyone and everyone, but please use this link to register so we can get an idea of attendance.
                       

06/29/2022

🖼| Art for Recovery Meeting, what is it?
Making art has many therapeutic benefits, and can help us process our thoughts and emotions, regain a sense of control, or just unwind during a busy or stressful time. RAWCC's peer facilitators will guide the session with some prompts, tips, and techniques.
No matter what experience or skill level, we'd love to have you spend time with us!
🔗 Link in bio or https://bit.ly/3OgIQuS
🗓 TODAY June 29th 6pm EDT

06/28/2022

🤝| Open Recovery Meeting, join us!
Every Tuesday evening this semester, we're holding an all-recovery meeting that is open to anyone. If you've never attended a recovery meeting before, this is a great way to check one out! Anyone is welcome to come spend time with us.
📅 TODAY June 28th 6-7pm EST
🔗 Virtual, Zoom Link in bio: https://zoom.us/j/94499504396?pwd=dG5qTG9EWFVuanFMWFBJOTE3Wkw5Zz09