Fresh Start Recovery

Last Friday’s Gratitude Ceremony at our Lethbridge Facility was full of the moments that matter most: families reconnecting, community gathering, milestones being recognized and people being welcomed home.

A huge congratulations to everyone who completed their treatment program. You have earned your place in the Fresh Start Alumni community, with continued connection, support and a recovery community that will always have a place for you.

Recovery is never just one person’s accomplishment. It is the people who keep showing up, the families who continue to believe, and the community that reminds each person they are no longer alone.

Welcome to the alumni. We are proud of you.

Greenview became one enormous outdoor gallery this weekend. 🎨

We were proud to be part of the 2026 Greenview Graffiti Jam, organized through the Greenview Industrial BIA alongside The Foundation Collective.

More than 60 artists from across Canada spent the weekend transforming walls, vehicles and unexpected corners of the neighbourhood into incredible works of public art. Sunday brought the community together for live painting, graffiti workshops, music, dance and the opportunity to watch these artists create up close.

Fresh Start volunteers helped throughout the weekend, and on Sunday we had the chance to spend time with artists, families, neighbours, local businesses and friends from across the community. The artwork is truly incredible, and these photos offer only a small glimpse of what was created.

Greenview is not simply where our Calgary facility is located. It is a neighbourhood we are proud to belong to.

While this building was being developed, Fresh Start helped establish Calgary’s first Good Neighbour Agreement with Greenview, Thorncliffe and Highland Park. Since moving here in 2012, we have remained committed to that agreement by showing up, participating and working alongside others to make our neighbourhood stronger.

That commitment runs deep. Fresh Start was built in Alberta and has been serving Albertans and their families since 1992. For nearly 34 years, we have believed that strong communities are built when people take care of one another, work together and take pride in the place they call home.

Thank you to the Greenview Industrial BIA, The Foundation Collective, every participating artist and everyone who helped make this weekend possible. We deeply value our ongoing connection and collaboration with the BIA and the work we continue doing together to make Greenview a safer, stronger and more welcoming place.

These photos are only the beginning. Visit the Greenview Industrial page and explore its Art and Mural Map to discover the new pieces and the incredible artwork already located throughout the neighbourhood:

https://www.greenviewindustrial.com/art

Greenview truly is where industry meets artist

New Autumn brought the heat tonight, even with the rain coming down. 🔥🎸

Tonight mattered. It was the first time this band had ever played live in front of an audience.

We have had a few glimpses while they practised in our gym, but tonight their families, friends and people from throughout Calgary’s recovery community finally got to hear what they have been working on.

The members of New Autumn first connected while participating in treatment at Fresh Start Recovery and Last Door Recovery. Today, they are alumni of their respective programs. The band they have formed is bringing those different paths together and helping them find their place within Calgary’s larger recovery community.

Recovery is bigger than any one building, program or organization. It grows when people connect, support one another and discover new purpose together.

We are grateful that our space can bring people in recovery, alumni from different programs, families and friends together throughout the year. Nights like this remind us why those connections matter.

Next week will be huge. One week from today, New Autumn will perform at Recovery Day on the biggest stage of their lives. We will be there, standing beside them and cheering as loudly as we can.

You boys made us proud tonight. We will see you at Recovery Day!

Before New Autumn takes the Recovery Day stage with Tom Cochrane, catch them live first at Fresh Start Recovery!

Born from recovery and connected through music, New Autumn began with three men who came through Fresh Start Recovery and Last Door. After meeting in treatment, they started playing together and gathering at Fresh Start to practise.

Now, they’re stepping into an opportunity of a lifetime.

This Sunday is New Autumn’s first and only public concert before they take the biggest stage of their lives. Let’s fill the gym, make some noise and show them what it means to have a recovery community behind them.

🎸 Sunday, September 13 at 7 PM
📍 Fresh Start Recovery, 411 41 Avenue NE
🎟️ Free admission
🥤 Free snacks and refreshments

Come celebrate New Autumn and be part of this incredible moment. Recovery opens doors, but community helps people walk through them.

Last night was a reminder of what the Fresh Start Recovery Community is built on.

Across Calgary, Lethbridge and online, alumni, clients, family alumni and members of our community came together to listen, share and stay connected.

Thank you to Nancy B. and Josh B. for speaking honestly about their experiences. Sharing our stories is an act of generosity. It helps someone else feel understood, gives families hope and reminds those beginning their journey that recovery is possible.

Treatment may end, but a person’s place in our community does not. We keep showing up for one another through the challenges, the milestones and all the ordinary days in between.

Different locations. Different experiences. One recovery community.

This is gratitude. This is generosity. This is community. This is what it means to meet every individual and support them for life.

You are no longer alone. Welcome home.

We invite all who knew and loved Moe Raymond to join us as we gather to celebrate his life, his recovery, and the many ways he gave back.

Moe was more than a former staff member and friend. He was a committed member of our recovery community, someone who understood the value of showing up, sharing honestly, helping the next person, and carrying the message.

We’ll make room for stories, laughter, tears, and memories, followed by what feels most fitting: coming together in recovery.

The final hour of our gathering will be a 12-step meeting in Moe’s honour.

One more meeting together, remembering a man who knew that recovery is never meant to be kept to ourselves.

If Moe helped you, challenged you, made you laugh, sat beside you in a meeting, shared his experience, or simply reminded you that recovery was possible, we hope you will join us.

Celebration of Life for Moe Raymond
September 26, 2026
12:00 PM – 2:00 PM
Fresh Start Recovery
411 41 Avenue NE, Calgary

Gathering Details
12:00 PM – Welcome, memories, and open sharing
1:00 PM – 12-step meeting in Moe’s honour

Coffee and light refreshments will be available.

Come as you are. Bring a memory, a story, your gratitude, or simply your presence.

RSVP appreciated so we can plan for seating and refreshments. Please complete the form here:

https://forms.cloud.microsoft/r/jcPK6zaPH4

Together, we will honour Moe Raymond in one of the ways that meant the most to him.

One day at a time. One person helping another. One message carried forward.