Serenity Renewal for Families

Call Directions Website

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.

When someone you care about is struggling, so much of your attention can go toward their needs.But what about yours?What...
10/14/2026

When someone you care about is struggling, so much of your attention can go toward their needs.

But what about yours?

What About Me? I Matter Too! is a one-day workshop designed for parents, partners, co-parents, and other family members affected by a loved one's substance use.

Together, we'll explore helpful resources, self-care tools, and practical strategies for looking after your own wellbeing.

đź“… Saturday, October 24, 2026
🕤 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM
đź“Ť In person
đź‘Ą Facilitated by Heather Tarnai-Feeley and Michelle Tasker

Sliding-scale pricing and subsidies are available.

Reserve your spot:
📧 [email protected]
đź“ž 613-523-5143

Your needs matter, too. đź’™

Sometimes you know you could use support, but you can't quite find the words to ask.This can be especially difficult whe...
10/13/2026

Sometimes you know you could use support, but you can't quite find the words to ask.

This can be especially difficult when you're carrying worry about someone you love.

You might begin with one simple sentence:

“I don’t know what I need yet, but I don’t want to be alone with this.”

“Can you listen without trying to fix it?”

“Could you help me with one small thing today?”

“I need some space, but please check in with me later.”

These aren't scripts you have to follow perfectly. They're starting points you can adapt when reaching out to someone you trust.

Save this for a difficult day, or share it privately with someone who might find it useful.

Thanksgiving can bring connection, familiar traditions and small moments of comfort. It can also bring grief, distance o...
10/12/2026

Thanksgiving can bring connection, familiar traditions and small moments of comfort. It can also bring grief, distance or complicated family feelings.

However today looks for you, there is room to celebrate, take a break or keep things simple.

We’re grateful to the families, staff, volunteers, facilitators, donors and partners who make care possible in our community.

Wishing you moments of connection and kindness this Thanksgiving.

People who have experienced mental health challenges bring knowledge that deserves a place in decisions about care and s...
10/10/2026

People who have experienced mental health challenges bring knowledge that deserves a place in decisions about care and support.

This World Mental Health Day, make room to listen. Respect what someone chooses to share, and take their perspective seriously.

At Serenity Renewal for Families, our work supports individuals and families affected directly or indirectly by addiction. Room to Be Human includes room to be heard.

Perfectionism can show up in everyday moments: rereading a message, reworking something already finished, or waiting to ...
10/06/2026

Perfectionism can show up in everyday moments: rereading a message, reworking something already finished, or waiting to feel completely ready before starting.
One question to pause with: “What does this task actually need?”
Our Overcoming Perfectionism workshop explores unhelpful expectations, self-criticism and ways to work toward “good enough.”

October 6, 13, 20 and 27 · 6:30–8 p.m. · Virtual
Facilitated by Sarah Eastman

Details and registration: [email protected] | 613-523-5143

October begins with a new theme at Serenity Renewal for Families:ROOM TO BE HUMAN.There can be a lot of pressure to have...
10/02/2026

October begins with a new theme at Serenity Renewal for Families:

ROOM TO BE HUMAN.

There can be a lot of pressure to have the right response, manage difficult feelings, stay strong, get better quickly, or keep everything together.

But being human is rarely that neat.

Sometimes we are uncertain.
Sometimes difficult thoughts stay for a while.
Sometimes we need support.
Sometimes “good enough” really is enough.
Sometimes something does not need to be fixed immediately — it needs to be understood.

Throughout October, we’ll be exploring imperfection, difficult thoughts, lived experience, caregiver needs, emotions, recovery, relationships and the space to respond to ourselves and one another with a little more humanity.

Not everything needs to be fixed.
Some things need room to be understood.

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.We honour residential school Survivors, their fa...
09/30/2026

Today is National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and Orange Shirt Day.

We honour residential school Survivors, their families and communities, and remember the children who never returned home.

The impacts of the residential school system did not end when the schools closed. They continue across families and generations, and truth must remain part of the work of reconciliation.

Serenity Renewal for Families acknowledges that we live and work on unceded Algonquin Anishinaabe territory.

Today is a day to listen, learn and reflect — and to centre the voices, experiences and leadership of First Nations, Inuit and Métis Peoples.

We encourage our community to learn from Indigenous-led resources through the National Centre for Truth and Reconciliation and the Orange Shirt Society.



Support resources: The Residential School Crisis Line is available 24 hours a day at 1-866-925-4419. The Hope for Wellness Helpline is available at 1-855-242-3310.

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table today—grateful to be in community with so many incredible organizations!
09/28/2026

Thank you to everyone who stopped by our table today—grateful to be in community with so many incredible organizations!

Perfectionism can look like high standards from the outside.But underneath, it can also carry fear of failure, constant ...
09/28/2026

Perfectionism can look like high standards from the outside.

But underneath, it can also carry fear of failure, constant self-criticism, unrealistic expectations, and the feeling that whatever we do is never quite enough.

Overcoming Perfectionism is a four-part virtual workshop exploring the thought and behaviour patterns that can keep perfectionism going — and practical ways to challenge them.

The goal is not to stop caring or trying.

It is to make a little more room for “good enough.”

Tuesdays, October 6, 13, 20 & 27
6:30–8:00 p.m.
Virtual
Facilitator: Sarah Eastman

Sliding-scale pricing is available.

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

September is moving quickly — but Serenity in September is not over yet.There are still a few days to take part in whate...
09/25/2026

September is moving quickly — but Serenity in September is not over yet.

There are still a few days to take part in whatever way works for you:

Participate by choosing something that brings you serenity and setting a goal for the rest of the month.

Sponsor someone who is already taking part.

Donate directly to help support counselling, workshops and family programs.

And thanks to a generous donor, the first $20,000 in donations are being matched.

Before September turns the page, there is still time to make your month meaningful.

Learn more:
https://www.serenityrenewal.ca/support-serenity-september/

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

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Serenity Renewal for Families posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Shortcuts

Share