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.

You do not have to figure out the whole path today.Sometimes the next step is small.Ask for support.Take space.Choose sa...
06/12/2026

You do not have to figure out the whole path today.

Sometimes the next step is small.

Ask for support.
Take space.
Choose safety.
Start again.
Name what you need.

Recovery, support, and change can look different for different people and families. What matters today may not be the full plan; it may be the next possible step.

One step can still count.

Recovery is not one straight line.It does not always begin at the same place.It does not always move at the same pace.An...
06/11/2026

Recovery is not one straight line.

It does not always begin at the same place.
It does not always move at the same pace.
And it does not look the same for everyone.

For some people, recovery may include counselling, community, family support, treatment, harm reduction, safer choices, restarts, or small next steps that build over time.

When we expect one “right” path, we can miss the reality that people need different kinds of support.

Making room for different pathways means making room for people.

Recovery is not one straight line.It is not one single path, one perfect timeline, or one version of what change “should...
06/10/2026

Recovery is not one straight line.

It is not one single path, one perfect timeline, or one version of what change “should” look like.

For some people, recovery includes treatment.
For others, it includes harm reduction, community support, family support, counselling, peer connection, safer choices, restarts, boundaries, or small next steps that become possible over time.

Recovery can look different for different people and families.

This month, we are making room for more than one pathway, and for the support people may need along the way.

Recovery can look different for different people and families.It may include support, reflection, safer choices, counsel...
06/09/2026

Recovery can look different for different people and families.

It may include support, reflection, safer choices, counselling, community, boundaries, restarts, and more than one pathway forward.

Our Introduction to Healing and Recovery workshop offers space to explore recovery, the healing process, and practical ways individuals and families can move forward with greater clarity, compassion, and support.

Facilitated by Liz VandenBygaart
Saturday, June 13, 2026
9:30 AM–3:30 PM ET
In person

Sliding-scale pricing available.

To register, email [email protected] or call 613-523-5143.

Below the surface, there is often more than people see.For World Oceans Day, we are thinking about what can be hidden un...
06/08/2026

Below the surface, there is often more than people see.

For World Oceans Day, we are thinking about what can be hidden underneath what looks calm from the outside.

Families affected by substance-use-related stress often carry more than others notice: worry, hope, grief, boundaries, exhaustion, love, and questions that are hard to say out loud.

What is visible is not always the whole story.

This month, we are making room for the things people carry quietly — and for the support that can help them feel less alone.

Before the weekend, make room for one honest feeling.Not the feeling you think you “should” have.Not the one that is eas...
06/05/2026

Before the weekend, make room for one honest feeling.

Not the feeling you think you “should” have.
Not the one that is easiest to explain.
The one that is actually there.

You do not have to sort it all out today.

Sometimes making room starts with noticing:
“This feels heavy.”
“I need quiet.”
“I miss what used to be.”
“I am allowed to feel more than one thing.”

Take what you need this weekend: space, support, rest, connection, or a slower pace.

Hidden grief has layers.When addiction affects someone we care about, grief can hold more than one feeling at once.Love....
06/04/2026

Hidden grief has layers.

When addiction affects someone we care about, grief can hold more than one feeling at once.

Love.
Worry.
Anger.
Guilt.
Hope.
Exhaustion.

Some of these feelings may seem to contradict each other, but they can still be real at the same time.

You are allowed to make room for the complexity of what you carry.

Some grief is hard to name.When addiction affects someone we care about, the grief we carry can become heavy, layered, a...
06/03/2026

Some grief is hard to name.

When addiction affects someone we care about, the grief we carry can become heavy, layered, and difficult to explain. Many people struggle quietly, unsure whether their feelings will be understood or met with judgment.

Our When Love Hurts: Opening the Door to Hidden Grief workshop offers a compassionate, safe, and non-judgmental space to explore grief at your own pace and connect with others who may understand.

When Love Hurts: Opening the Door to Hidden Grief
Facilitated by Suzie St. Denis
Saturday, June 6, 2026
9:30 AM–3:30 PM ET
In person

Sliding-scale pricing available.

To register, email [email protected] or call 613-523-5143

Some grief is hard to name.When addiction affects someone we care about, grief can feel complicated. It may not look the...
06/02/2026

Some grief is hard to name.

When addiction affects someone we care about, grief can feel complicated.
It may not look the way others expect. It may come with love, anger, guilt, worry, distance, hope, or exhaustion.

Sometimes the person is still here, but the relationship has changed.
Sometimes we miss what was, what could have been, or what we wish felt easier to talk about.

Naming grief does not mean giving up.
It means making room for what has been carried quietly.

This month, we are making room.Room for grief.Room for recovery.Room for belonging.Room for children and families.Room f...
06/01/2026

This month, we are making room.

Room for grief.
Room for recovery.
Room for belonging.
Room for children and families.
Room for the things people carry quietly.

As we move into June, our content will stay grounded in practical support while opening space for honest conversations, reflection, and connection.

We are looking forward to sharing this month with you.

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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