Serenity Renewal for Families

Serenity Renewal for Families Supporting individuals & families affected directly or indirectly by addictions.

Serenity Renewal for Families offers ongoing education and counselling services to individuals and families directly or indirectly affected by addictions. Our programs assist a wide spectrum of clients as young as 5 to 85 and over, benefiting over 2,500 individuals each year in Ottawa and surrounding areas. Our work is made possible thanks to our dedicated professional staff and facilitators, plus more than 125 volunteers who participate in virtually all functions of our operations. In addition, over 250 partners (individuals, health and social service agencies, social workers, medical professionals) refer individuals and work with us to provide the necessary support to our clients. Serenity Renewal for Families is a registered charitable organization founded in 1983. We rely on the support of generous individuals and organizations to create happier, healthier lives in our community.

Guilt is about what you did. Shame is about who you are. ⚖️Understanding the difference changes everything.When living w...
03/25/2026

Guilt is about what you did. Shame is about who you are. ⚖️
Understanding the difference changes everything.

When living with substance-use challenges or supporting a loved one, these feelings can keep us isolated. We get caught in a cycle of hiding our true selves. This Saturday’s in-person workshop with Sarah Eastman provides a supportive space to face these heavy emotions with humility and self-compassion. The goal is not to eliminate these feelings, but to learn how to move through them constructively so you can spring forward in your recovery.

Overcoming Shame and Guilt (In Person)

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET

Cost: Sliding-scale pricing available.

You are allowed to make mistakes without being defined by them.Self-compassion is not a luxury; it is a critical skill f...
03/24/2026

You are allowed to make mistakes without being defined by them.
Self-compassion is not a luxury; it is a critical skill for your recovery journey. 💙

When navigating substance-use challenges, shame can become a heavy, paralyzing weight. It isolates us from the connection we desperately need. But this Saturday, you can begin the active work of lifting that weight. Sarah Eastman is facilitating a powerful in-person workshop that equips you with tangible tools to face those heavy feelings, practice critical awareness, and find your peace.

Check the graphic for essential details and grab one of the final seats today.

Overcoming Shame and Guilt (In Person)

Facilitator: Sarah Eastman

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET

Cost: Sliding-scale pricing available.

03/23/2026

The Ottawa community sprang forward this weekend! 🏃‍♂️❄️
Thank you to all who joined the Brain Freeze run.

We are so deeply grateful for runners like Nicholas, who shared with CTV News how relatable it is to support people living with substance-use challenges. Every step taken at Carleton University helps us provide compassionate, harm-reduction support for all.

Watch the full CTV News coverage to see the incredible turnout: https://www.ctvnews.ca/ottawa/video/2026/03/22/runners-and-walkers-take-off-at-brain-freeze-fundraiser
(Footage courtesy of CTV Ottawa).

You don't have to keep repeating the same exhausting patterns.This Saturday, we begin the work of building something new...
03/23/2026

You don't have to keep repeating the same exhausting patterns.
This Saturday, we begin the work of building something new. 🛠️

For families living with substance-use challenges, communication often breaks down, leaving everyone isolated even when they are in the same house. Our 10-week, CAMH-endorsed program gives your entire family—parents, caring adults, and youth ages 7-17—a shared language. You will learn tangible skills to rebuild trust, manage peer pressure, handle anger, and finally understand each other's expectations.

Check the graphic for details and grab one of the final spots today.

Strengthening Families for the Future

Dates: March 28 – June 06, 2026

Cost: Sliding-scale pricing available.

Register: www.serenityrenewal.ca/family_programs

You can't change the past, but you can absolutely change the way your family communicates tomorrow.Substance-use challen...
03/20/2026

You can't change the past, but you can absolutely change the way your family communicates tomorrow.

Substance-use challenges can fracture trust and create distance, but families are incredibly resilient. Our CAMH-endorsed program equips parents, caring adults, and children with tangible skills to manage expectations, handle anger, and rebuild connection. It is about giving everyone in the house a shared language to move forward.

The 10-week program starts next Saturday. Secure your family's spot today!

Strengthening Families for the Future

Dates: March 28 – June 06, 2026

Audience: Parents/Caring Adults and Children ages 7 to 17

Cost: Sliding-scale pricing available.

Register: https://www.serenityrenewal.ca/family_programs/

When Kerry became the sole caregiver for her grandson, the isolation felt overwhelming.Discover how she found safe harbo...
03/19/2026

When Kerry became the sole caregiver for her grandson, the isolation felt overwhelming.
Discover how she found safe harbour.

Navigating complex needs and a cycle of adversity, Kerry felt completely alone—until she found Serenity Renewal for Families. We didn't just offer her family a program; we offered a home, acceptance, and a moment to breathe.

Read Kerry’s powerful story of resilience and see how your support creates lifelines. Right now, your impact goes even further: the first $20,000 in donations is being matched!

Read the article and double your gift today: https://www.serenityrenewal.ca/a-moment-to-breath-kerrys-story/

Ever feel like one mistake completely defines your entire worth?Let's talk about building a buffer against that. 🛡️Shame...
03/19/2026

Ever feel like one mistake completely defines your entire worth?
Let's talk about building a buffer against that. 🛡️

Shame thrives in silence and secrecy. When navigating a recovery journey, developing Shame Resilience means recognizing your triggers, practicing critical awareness, and reaching out for connection instead of isolating. It is about understanding that you are allowed to make mistakes without being defined by them.

Want to practice building your resilience? Join our workshop on March 28! Email us at: workshops@serenityrenewal.ca

03/18/2026

Shame tells us we are broken. Guilt tells us we made a mistake.
Neither has to dictate your future.

Believing we are unworthy of peace is a heavy burden often carried by people living with substance-use challenges. But facing those feelings with humility and self-compassion is a powerful way of springing forward. Sarah Eastman's upcoming workshop explores how to untangle these difficult emotions, let go of the weight, and build trust in yourself again.

Secure your spot for next weekend!
Overcoming Shame and Guilt (In Person)

Facilitator: Sarah Eastman

Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026

Time: 9:30 am to 3:30 pm ET

For more info, and to register, email us at: workshops@serenityrenewal.ca

They don’t just listen; they hold space for the hardest parts of the human experience.Happy World Social Work Day!Naviga...
03/17/2026

They don’t just listen; they hold space for the hardest parts of the human experience.
Happy World Social Work Day!

Navigating the complexities of family substance-use challenges takes immense courage. Our incredible team of facilitators, clinical consultants, and counselors walk alongside our community every single day. They provide the tools for multiple pathways to recovery, always leading with profound empathy and respect.

Tag a social worker, counselor, or community worker who has impacted your life below to say thank you! 👇

03/16/2026

The paint is poured, the brushes are ready, and the doors are open. 🎨
Welcome to day one of March Break Camp!

For children affected by family substance-use challenges, routine disruptions can be stressful. This week is all about giving them a safe, expressive outlet. Through art therapy and mindfulness, our campers are dropping their heavy feelings, learning coping skills, and just getting to be kids. We can't wait to see what they create this week!

Drop a 💛 in the comments to wish our campers an amazing week!

For years, many families navigating substance-use challenges have operated on an unspoken script: Don't talk about it. D...
03/13/2026

For years, many families navigating substance-use challenges have operated on an unspoken script: Don't talk about it. Don't show you are upset. Keep the peace at all costs.

It is exhausting to play a role that doesn't serve you anymore.

You are allowed to tear up that old script. Breaking those generational patterns is messy, and it takes practice, but it is the exact work that rebuilds connection and trust. One of the most powerful steps a family can take is learning how to communicate honestly without fear of judgment.

Registration is now open for our CAMH-endorsed, 10-week family program. Let’s write a new script together.

Strengthening Families for the Future

Dates: March 28 – June 06, 2026

Audience: Parents/Caring Adults and Children ages 7 to 17

Cost: Sliding-scale pricing available.

Register: send us an email on familyprograms@serenityrenewal.ca

Feeling completely torn about taking the next step? That isn't failure; it is actually a normal part of the process.Peop...
03/12/2026

Feeling completely torn about taking the next step? That isn't failure; it is actually a normal part of the process.

People living with substance-use challenges, alongside their families, frequently experience ambivalence. A parent once told us they desperately wanted to set a new boundary to protect their peace, but were simultaneously terrified of the pushback. Sitting in that uncomfortable, messy middle ground is often the doorway to meaningful growth, rather than a roadblock.

Save this post to remind yourself that having mixed feelings is a completely valid part of moving forward.

Address

404 McArthur Avenue
Ottawa, ON
K1K1G8

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 3pm
Tuesday 9am - 3pm
Wednesday 9am - 3pm
Thursday 9am - 3pm
Friday 9am - 3pm

Telephone

+16135235143

Website

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