Our Collective Journey

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.

02/28/2026

Our Resilience Coaches are always cooking up something fun at Kickstand Medicine Hat! Youth 11+ are encouraged to come down and join us Monday to Friday from 3-6 PM. Come help us spread kindness, and learn tools you can use in your every day life!

Access non-judgemental support in our relaxed drop-in space. Join Our Collective Journey's Resiliency Coach Monday afternoon to create Greeting Cards to encourage others in our community and spread kindness!

02/27/2026

Have you heard of Denvers Destination ? His grandmother, Karen, was on From Darkness to Life recently and shared her family’s story of grief and resilience in the face of unimaginable loss. Pilots at the Rise Up Hot Air Balloon Festival took pictures of sweet Denver with them on their rides soaring over the Medicine Hat skies, showing Denver the views he didn’t get to see during his short, precious life. His mother and family honour his legacy through Denver’s Destinations, and little Denver’s picture has soared across the sky all over North America.

02/25/2026

We have a powerful announcement to share.

At Southern Alberta Regional Recovery Conference, we’ll be hosting a live recording of fdtlpodcast featuring Medicine Hat City Councillor Chris Hellman.

When Chris attended the 2025 State of the City Address, it was his first public event after completing treatment for alcohol. One year later, he returned not just as a community member, but as an elected official, a student in the Addictions Counselling program at Medicine Hat College, and a person committed to serving others from a place of lived experience.

Chris’s story reflects what we see every day in recovery work: depression, overwhelm, self-medication, and the life-changing impact of support, treatment, and community. With the backing of his wife, family, and friends, he entered treatment and chose a different path. Today, he is using his voice to support others and strengthen the community he serves.

Join us as Poncho sits down with Chris for a candid, meaningful conversation about recovery, leadership, and what it looks like to rebuild with purpose. Whether you’re a recovery professional, supporting a loved one, or navigating your own journey, this live episode will offer insight, honesty, and practical takeaways.

This special recording is part of SARRCon 2026, happening March 19–20 in Medicine Hat, alongside keynote speakers Jill Drader and Dr. Jody Carrington, immersive learning, and connection across the recovery community.

Tickets and full lineup: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

02/20/2026

We’re So Excited to Welcome Hannah to the OCJ Team!

This is a very special episode of From Darkness to Life because it features someone who now walks alongside others in recovery every single day: our newest Recovery Coach, Hannah.

We are incredibly grateful that Hannah has chosen to share her story; one marked by early exposure to alcohol at just 12 years old, struggles with substance use, a DUI, treatment, and the pivotal turning points that led her to seek help and ultimately choose a different path.

Her story is honest. It’s courageous. And it’s powerful.

What moves us most is how Hannah has transformed her lived experience into purpose. The same community support that helped her find hope is now something she helps create for others. Her compassion, authenticity, and commitment to recovery make her an extraordinary addition to Our Collective Journey.

Hannah, we are so proud to have you on this team. Thank you for trusting us, and our community, with your story.

Listen to this special episode of From Darkness to Life here:
https://ourcollectivejourney.ca/podcast or by streaming on your podcast app of choice.

If you or someone you love needs support, please reach out at ourcollectivejourney.ca or message us here on Facebook.

02/19/2026

We’re proud to be at the Medicine Hat Teacher’s Convention today connecting with educators who are doing some of the most important work in our community.

Coach Derrick and Coach Hannah are on-site sharing how Our Collective Journey’s resilience and recovery programs support youth both inside and outside the classroom.

From:
✔️ Resilience coaching for youth
✔️ Recovery-informed supports
✔️ Community partnerships
✔️ Professional development opportunities

…to highlighting how SARRCon equips educators with practical, evidence-informed tools to better understand resilience, recovery, trauma, and protective factors; we’re here to collaborate.

Educators are often the first safe adult a young person turns to. When we strengthen educators, we strengthen youth.

If you’re at the convention, stop by and connect with Derrick and Hannah! We’d love to talk about how we can partner to support your students and your staff.

02/17/2026

Burnout happens. We can help. Find out how below 👇

The work we do in recovery, mental health, and community support matters.

But it’s also heavy.

Burnout happens when people care deeply and don’t get the space to reset, learn, and reconnect with why they started.

That’s part of what SARRCon 2026 is about.
Two days focused on resilience, leadership, and sustainable ways to keep showing up for the people we serve featuring Dr. Jody Carrington and Jill Drader.

You’ll leave with practical tools, stronger connections, and renewed clarity for the work ahead.

March 19–20 | Medicine Hat

Because supporting others starts with supporting the people doing the work.

Get your tickets here: https://bit.ly/3LCp54y

02/12/2026

Recovery isn’t always loud or noticeable.
Sometimes it’s quiet. Sometimes it’s heavy. And sometimes it’s as simple as finding the one song that helps you get through the next hour.

Music can help us sit with hard feelings, work through forgiveness, for ourselves or others, and remind us that we’re not alone in what we’re carrying. Many people in recovery can point to songs that helped them through difficult days or helped them keep moving forward when things felt stuck.

At Our Collective Journey, we know recovery is stronger when it’s shared.

We’d like to build a community recovery playlist made up of songs that have helped real people through real moments.

🎵 What song helped you get through a tough day, or helped you feel understood when words weren’t enough?

Share it in the comments if you’re comfortable. Your song might be exactly what someone else needs to hear today.

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.