Orchard Recovery Center

10/16/2026

Anyone who has ever been in Lorinda's office will be familiar with her famous family photograph, which made its way into Canadian history! 📸 🖼

We were honoured to receive this iconic photo from Lorinda Strang OBO the Strang family of Marlon's and James' Strangs grandfather and great grandfather to mount in our hall.
Wait for Me, Daddy is a photo taken by Claude P. Dettloff on October 1, 1940, of the British Columbia Regiment (Duke of Connaught's Own Ri**es) marching down Eighth Street at the Columbia Street intersection, New Westminster, British Columbia. While Dettloff was taking the photo, Warren "Wh**ey" Bernard broke away from his mother to his father, Private Jack Bernard. The picture received extensive exposure, with widespread circulation through magazines such as Life and Time, and was used in war-bond drives and featured by the Canadian mint and Canada Post.

10/11/2026

Sending out big Thanksgiving vibes from the Orchard team! 💕

This is the time of year where we often reflect on quotes like, "Gratitude turns what we have into enough" (from author Melody Beattie in her book The Language of Letting Go). Thanksgiving is indeed about giving thanks and expressing gratitude - so from the bottom of our hearts, we want to thank all of you for trusting us with your recovery journeys. 🥰

Wishing all of our alumni and friends a very happy Thanksgiving this weekend 🍂 🙏 🦃

09/30/2026

Today at the Orchard we are observing Orange Shirt Day, or the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. We believe that participating in this conversation is important because so many people ask, “Why does this matter? How is it relevant today?”

Through our work in addiction recovery, we see every day the impacts of generational trauma and the lasting effects it has. For the descendants of the survivors of residential schools, and for the families whose children never returned home, that pain echos through time. The culture, language, and traditions that could not be passed down because of the colonial interference that occurred is real, and has had a ripple effect to our present day. That is why today we acknowledge the enduring spirit of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples.

In this image, alumni will recognize these photos as places at the Orchard where we display our daily commitment to acknowledging the history of the land that we reside on. We fly the Indigenous Canadian flag alongside our others, and we proudly display alumni art pieces each with their own unique story to tell.

Today, and every day, .

With love, from ̱wlélex̱wm.
🧡

09/12/2026

Come join us at Recovery Day BC today!

We are in front of the Tim Horton’s on 6th street in New Westminster.

We will be here from 12 to 6pm.

The main stage starts at 2:00pm!

09/10/2026

RECOVERY DAY BC
September 12, 2026

Main Stage Lineup:
Jann Arden & Cameron Whitcomb

Come visit us at our booth and relax in our alumni lounge area.
We are looking forward to seeing alumni at Recovery Day!

Join tens of thousands of people for one incredible day celebrating hope, recovery, family, and community!

Live Music
Food Trucks
Kids Zone
50/50 Raffle to support recovery
Community Exhibits
Inspiring Stories of Recovery

Bring your family, invite your friends, and join one of Canada’s largest celebrations of mental health and addiction recovery.

**Recovery is possible. Recovery is worth celebrating.**

For more information visit:
https://recoverydaybc.ca/

05/28/2026

Dear Orchard Community,

With deep sadness, we share the passing of our much loved longtime team member and friend, Sue Clarke.

Sue was one of the Orchard’s very first employees when we opened in 2002 and remained a deeply valued part of our community for almost 25 years. In recent years, she continued working remotely as our Alumni Coordinator and stayed closely connected to alumni, families, and past and current staff.

Even while facing cancer, Sue was still helping arrange for alumni to come speak with clients. That was Sue, always thinking about others, always believing in recovery, and always wanting to help people.

Sue rarely missed an alumni picnic because seeing former clients doing well in their recovery brought her genuine joy. She cared deeply about people and had a way of making others feel welcomed, encouraged, and remembered.

Many alumni will remember Sue’s favourite saying in her uplifting English accent:

“It works if you work it, and you are worth it............... and it’s mandatory!”

Her family shared these words and asked that people honour Sue’s memory through acts of kindness or service to others.

She will be so deeply missed and fondly remembered by the Orchard community.

04/09/2026

Celebrating 20 Years at Orchard, Congratulations, Ruta!!

This year marks Ruta’s 20-year work anniversary at Orchard. For two decades, she has been a valued and steady presence, supporting clients through music therapy and working with families and loved ones through her family therapy presentations and family group sessions.

Ruta brings warmth, compassion, and an uplifting energy that helps clients and families feel seen, valued, and cared for. She participates with enthusiasm and creates a safe, healing space for those in our care, while also continuing to support alumni and families through her private practice.

We are deeply grateful for the dedication, care, and heart you have brought to Orchard for the past 20 years.

Congratulations, Ruta, and thank you for being such an important part of the Orchard family.

04/01/2026

24 years today.

A photo from Tuesday’s lunch, a small snapshot of the incredible team behind Orchard.

Grateful for all of our staff, past and present, who have helped build Orchard and continue to make hope and recovery possible every day.

03/31/2026

THIS WEEKEND! DON’T MISS
NORTH SHORE ROUND UP
54th Annual

April 3–5, 2026

Pan Pacific Hotel
999 Canada Place
Vancouver, BC, CA

The Largest Alcoholics Anonymous Round Up
in Western Canada

3 Days • 2000+ Attendees • Open to All

2026 Speakers Include:
Olis S. – Oakland, CA
Beth H. – Destin, FL
Jason J. – Oregon City, OR
Jimmy A. – Spring Lake, NJ
Janet B. – California (Al-Anon)

Tickets: $60 (3-days included)
More Info & Tickets:
nsru.org

03/26/2026

THIS SUNDAY! DON’T MISS
STAND UP FOR RECOVERY!

March 29, 2026
Show: 7:00-9:00
(Doors open at 6:00)
Music Starts at 6:30!

Rick Bronson's
House of Comedy BC
530 Columbia St,
New Westminster, BC, CA
604-522-4500
bc.houseofcomedy.net

Hosted by Mark Smith
“the one and only”

Music:
-Orange Whip
Lyricist:
-KeHill

Headliner:
Simon King
Special Guests:
-Kate Rice
-Charlene Rose
-Jessica Joelle Pigeau

Let’s have an Amazing show!!

Tickets $20 (plus applicable fees and taxes)
*Two menu items per seat*

SIMON KING has been called "one of the greatest comedians of his generation" and it's easy to see why. With credits including HBO, Just For Laughs, CBC, CTV, Comedy Central, Comedy Network, Winnipeg Comedy Festival, Las Vegas Comedy Festival (To name just a few) this comedy veteran brings a unique, edgy, energetic, intelligent style to the stage that is unmatched anywhere in stand up comedy.

Mark Smith is a 20-year stand-up veteran, producer, and enthusiastic host who can light up any stage—indoor, outdoor, or online. Even on short notice, Mark brings his "A" game and can ensure a High Energy Showcase of Comedians and Comedy alike. He created and runs Stand Up For Recovery, a community-driven comedy series that regularly fills rooms across BC (North Vancouver, Maple Ridge, Recovery Day BC, North Shore Round Up). Mark is a five-year Fringe Festival touring alumni who has played clubs nationwide. He delivers tight 20–30 minute feature sets. Through his vast Network of Performers, he can provide up to a full day of entertainment that is Guaranteed to lift your Spirits.