Aventa Centre of Excellence for Women with Addictions
610 - 25 Avenue S.W. T2S 0L6 Calgary, AB, Canada

Join us online on Saturday Jan. 23 1-2pm for Important Skills and Useful Tips for your Job Search. This employment workshop is the first of three workshops su...pporting women with employment. Future topics will cover resume writing and interview skills. This workshop will be held on Zoom and is open to women-identifying individuals only. Register: https://www.womenscentrecalgary.org//employment-skills-wo/

The Young Adult Treatment Program is a collaboration between Alberta Health Services (AHS) and Aventa. This three month, trauma-based program empowers women with addictions, ages 18-24, to change their lives.

A few of our alumni had this genius idea to provide recovery supportive employment to people in addiction recovery while providing high quality and competitive ...employment solutions for our clients. See poster below. #yyc #wedorecover #yycemployment #yycwork #yycaddictionrecovery RecoveryWorx See more

Join The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada - SOGC for a free virtual workshop on February 3, 2021 to address the important role of front-line service providers in screening for alcohol use during pregnancy and supporting women throughout pregnancy. Spaces are limited and will be available on a first come basis. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/virtual-workshop-for-front-lin

In a world where you can be anything, be kind. Everyone's doing the best that they can.

Free online Trauma Informed Care training.

November 21, 2020 is a day for those left behind. To find out more information on Survivors of Suicide Loss Day and how to register before Saturday, visit our #BalanceBlog: http://ow.ly/1qMb50Cn5Sc

We are pleased to announce that our Continuing Care group will be back up and running beginning on Wednesday November 4 via Zoom. Registration is required. This weekly counsellor-led support group is focused on issues affecting the well-being of women and maintenance of their recovery. Aventa Alumnae can attend these meetings. To register and for more information, please contact Maddie at (403) 541-4664 or [email protected].

Have you been out of work or school for more than one year? Are you thinking about returning to work but would like to build workplace skills? If so, join our I...ndigenous Workplace Wellness Circle and start planning your future today! When: January 18 March 12, 2021 (Monday - Friday) Time: 9am 3pm Where: Virtual Hybrid Program To register: Call 403.253.5311 and book an appointment today.

In part 20 of Aventa's History, in fall of 2004, Cathy Wood’s youngest daughter, Christianna WoodRoddick, helped to sell over $40,000 worth of gemstone bracelets for Aventa. For her philanthropic efforts, she received several awards and helped raise awareness about women and addictions, in memory of her mother. Aventa was also the recipient of proceeds from The Fountains of Mission Calendars, which raised $6,000. In 2005, Aventa launched a new website which featured a new lo...go that complemented the new building’s look and feel. The Sunalta house was renamed Cathy Wood House, which housed the Residential Addiction Support Program which provided relapse prevention supports and long-term transitional housing for up to one year. A trauma-informed curriculum was implemented based on emerging research in the field of addictions and mental health. At this time, more than 75% of women accessing Aventa’s services identified as also having a mental health concern. Aventa continued to focus on the prevention of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) by providing immediate access to addiction treatment services for pregnant women. Pregnant and parenting women with addictions need additional support including medical care, psychoeducational groups and regular counselling. Aventa’s Parenting Program helped women explore and understand their role as mothers within the context of recovery. https://aventa.org///11/50th-Anniversary-History-Pt-20.pdf

We are looking for Aventa Alumnae who want to provide guidance and mentorship to Clients at Aventa, at an individual or group level. Aventa’s Mentorship Group was initiated by the Aventa Alumnae Committee as a way for Alumnae or Mentors to come back to speak to the women who are about to graduate from the Phase II and Young Adult Treatment Program (YAT), or are participating in the Phase III Program. Mentors are asked to provide guidance and support to the Clients who will so...on be graduating. The focus is life after treatment and includes open discussion about the challenges and rewards of early recovery. To become an Aventa Mentor, you must be: A woman who has graduated from an Aventa program (Phase II, YAT, or Phase III) Someone with approximately one year of clean/sober time Actively working on your recovery (12 Steps, Continuing Care, Dharma Recovery, SMART Recovery, Recovery College, etc.). Willing to encourage women currently in treatment at Aventa; be a role model Willing to speak in front of a group using a secure video Zoom platform If you're interested in becoming a role model for others or to speak at one of our Birthday Celebrations, please call Karen Smith, Program Manager at (403) 541-4653 today.

The COVID-19 pandemic can have a significant impact on Albertans' mental health. Resources are available if you need help: Mental Health Help Line: 1-877-303-...2642 Addiction Help Line: 1-866-332-2322 Text COVID19HOPE to 393939 alberta.ca/mentalhealth See more

This holiday season many Albertans are looking to show their appreciation for AHS front-line staff. We are so grateful for this support. AHS employees are curre...ntly unable to accept food donations because of infection prevention and control precautions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Alberta’s food banks are able to accept food donations and we ask you to please consider passing your kindness on to them. Many Albertans are turning to their food banks for support and these organizations are happy to accept donations in honour of front-line staff. Food banks welcome donations of non-perishable food items, although monetary donations are preferred so they can buy what they need at a bulk rate. We encourage you to check online to find out how you can help your local food bank.

CMHA Calgary is inviting Calgarians to support our work by donating items most in need by our clients, and the vulnerable population, throughout the fall and winter. Check out our most-needed items list here: http://ow.ly/3K2650BUPoC

The Calgary & Area Child Advocacy Centre Prenatal Outreach Support Team (POST) is pleased to present the 2021 Perinatal Virtual Conference. This conference is in place of our annual Showcase and will be a great opportunity to network, engage and learn. This online conference is FREE of charge, and features a number of incredible speakers, including Johann Hari, Dr. Jody Carrington, Miriam Zoila Pérez, Dr. Nancy Poole and more! The 2021 Perinatal Virtual Conference will be l...ooking at how to implement evidence-based practices into the sector that supports the vulnerable pregnant population. Taking note from each speaker, POST will be facilitating a discussion about how these practices will be implemented into the improvement of collaborative care. The conference is recommended for any professionals working with the vulnerable perinatal population, including medical professionals, social support providers, mental health professionals, etc. It will also offer valuable insights and information that expands across many sectors, with speakers covering topics related to mental health, addictions, domestic violence and racism. The conference will take place over three Thursdays: January 21, January 28 and February 4, 2021. Tickets and more information can be found at: perinatalconference2021.eventbrite.com

Calgary Drop-In Centre offers free online Employment Services Training

Happy Thanksgiving! The thankful heart opens our eyes to a multitude of blessings that continually surround us. ~ James E. Faust

Today is #WorldMentalHealthDay, and The World Health Organization is hosting The Big Event for Mental Health a global advocacy event. Learn about the event and how you can advocate for quality mental health care at http://ow.ly/hcH550BNixX

https://www.instagram.com/p/CGKmRoUgTKl/

Alberta Health Serviceshas launched a virtual mental health network that will offer anonymous, peer-to-peer mental health services around the clock. The province announced the new network, a partnership with Togetherall, on Thursday, for every Albertan over 16, as a way for people to connect and support others in a safe online community. Albertans can sign up for Togetherall at www.ahs.ca/virtualmentalhealth.

Today is National Depression Screening Day! Take the free, anonymous, online depression screening at https://test4depression.com

#gratitude #recovery #recoveryispossible #recoveryjourney

In part 19 of Aventa's 50 year History, in April 2003, Aventa began the first of its monthly Alumnae Birthday Celebrations, offering Clients the opportunity to socialize with other women in recovery while learning from those who have been successful in the journey to sobriety. Demolition of the Extendicare Scottish Nursing home began in May 2003, and by October the capital goal to raise $4.6 million had been met! Sadly, Aventa’s Executive Director, Cathy Wood, passed away due... to cancer during the renovation phase of the project. Community partners, Aventa Staff and Board of Directors wanted to honour her memory, and her commitment and dedication to Aventa and the women in need of addiction services. A tribute ceremony was held for her friends and family, and three beautiful pieces of artwork portraying women were purchased with donations made to Aventa in Cathy Wood’s memory. These paintings were as beautiful as was Cathy, and serve as a daily reminder of a great visionary, community leader and friend. Aventa’s new facility opened its doors in March 2004 offering enhanced programming and expansion of women’s addiction services. The new facility provided an increase in Residential beds from 16 beds to 46 beds, an increase in Day Program spots from 20 to 40 women served each month, and an additional 100% increase in Outpatient services. Aventa’s Grand Opening was held on May 14, 2004. https://aventa.org//2020/10/50th-Anniversary-History-Pt-19

Alberta Addiction Service Providers are grateful for the Province's support for a Recovery Orientated Continuum of Care.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFz4O6VJ9mC/

Recovery is not easy, but it is worth it! The pain you feel today, will be the strength you feel tomorrow.