South Edmonton Fellowship Centre 

This month, we are honoured to feature the Fellowship Centre. For many individuals and families facing addiction, recovery begins with finding a safe space, supportive community, and people who truly understand without fear or judgement. The Fellowship Centre provides exactly that, an environment where recovery and connection come together. Please continue reading to find out more about the important work they do, and how you can help. 

About the Fellowship Centre 

Operated primarily by volunteers, the Fellowship Centre provides a safe and inclusive space where people can heal, learn, and support one another regardless of background, identity, or stage of recovery. 

The Fellowship Centre provides an infrastructure of mutual support. Many of the volunteers are individuals who have experienced addiction firsthand and have maintained recovery through continued service and connection. By giving back to those earlier in their journey, they help create a strong foundation of hope and understanding. 

“Everyone deserves to have a safe place to call home. The Fellowship Centre is just that – welcoming, safe, relaxed, and comfortable. It’s a place where I can recess from the world, recharge as I need, and truly be myself with no judgment.” 

-Fellowship Community Member 

Programs and Support 

The Fellowship Centre offers resources and programs designed to support individuals throughout their recovery journey: 

12 Step Programs 

Volunteer-led 12 Step meetings are a core part of the Centre’s programming. These meetings focus on personal growth, honesty, compassion, accountability, spirituality, and service to others. Many volunteers facilitating these programs have been clean and sober for many years, offering valuable lived experience. 

SMART Recovery 

The Centre also offers SMART Recovery (Self-Management and Recovery Training), which focuses on evidence-based psychological approaches to addiction recovery. These meetings are volunteer-led by trained facilitators. 

Mental Health and Community Support 

Recognizing the strong connection between addiction and mental health, the Fellowship Centre also hosts meditation and trauma recovery meetings. 

Beyond meetings, the Centre encourages meaningful community connection through volunteer opportunities, social events, and a recovery-focused library where individuals can access donated recovery materials and educational resources. 

The Fellowship Centre also publishes the Recovery Compass, a monthly publication that shares updates, stories, and resources. 

A Path Forward 

One of the Fellowship Centre’s ongoing goals is helping reduce the stigma surrounding addiction and recovery. 

“There needs to be a continuous erosion of the stigma of addiction.” 

-Genevieve Johnson, Secretary/Director 

Addiction is often far more complex than commonly believed and should be viewed as an illness rather than a choice or failure. Engaging in productive dialogue is one of the best ways to educate people and gain more understanding of addiction. 

The Centre would love to offer more support for new Canadians facing addiction challenges, as cultural barriers, shame, and language differences can prevent many individuals from seeking help. There is also a growing need for programs supporting families and loved ones, who are often deeply impacted by addiction as well. 

The Fellowship Centre also hopes to expand its mental health initiatives by providing additional volunteer training and increasing access to trauma and wellness-focused programming. 

“We are all carrying our own magic wands; we just need to use them.” 

-Genevieve Johnson, Secretary/Director 

How You Can Help 

Community involvement plays an important role in sustaining the Fellowship Centre’s mission. Individuals can support the organization by: 

• Open a weekly recovery meeting 

• Donate and support  

• Become a volunteer  

Every contribution, whether through time, resources, or advocacy, helps strengthen the support network available to those navigating recovery. To find out more about how you can help, visit the Fellowship Centre’s support page. 

Recovery requires ongoing effort, support, and connection, which is why organizations like the Fellowship Centre are so important. We want to thank them for making a meaningful difference by providing compassionate addiction recovery support in our community.