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A Story of Giving Tuesday

Meet Jeff! He is really extraordinary. Jeff is humble yet SO full of gratitude. Jeff's positive attitude and excitement for life usually enters a room before he does. He works hard on his recovery and has come a long way! Earlier this year he took a 3-week long solo p...
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Giving Tuesday + Umbrella

Giving Tuesday is a day around the world that celebrates the power of generosity in our communities. It is held each year on the first Tuesday after Black Friday. This year’s Giving Tuesday falls on December 2, 2025, a day when people everywhere can come together to s...
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Annual Angels Lunch

The Angels are an amazing and inspiring group of women who graciously donate their time and money towards supporting local organizations such as Her Way Home and the Umbrella Society. They are unique in how they become actively involved in the support of their bene...
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Women’s Group 2025

Over the weekend marked the final day of Women's Group 2025! The cohort began as strangers, and quickly came together. As they exchanged ideas, thoughts, feelings, they ended by exchanging numbers and plans to continue meeting outside of Umbrella. The group was crea...
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Unpacking the ‘Stache: Behind Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month

      "Grow some balls"*, "man up", "don't be a pussy". Unfortunately common phrases today that we've all used, been told, or overhead. The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health found that 75% of men in a 2019 survey said they were reluctant, or would flat out refus...

Invisible Disability Awareness Week

October 19th to the 25th is Invisible Disability Awareness Week, first established in 2024 by the Individual Disability Association*. Along with the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower*, this is a week that shines a light on disabilities that we cannot see. A federal study back...

Fall & Thanks

Starting the morning off in turtlenecks, ending the day in shorts and sunscreen, fall in Victoria is upon us. We're making more space to come together in community, and more opportunities to give thanks. A men's support group has always been on our wish list, and now we'...
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Recovery Month/ 1 Year later…

The end of September marks the close of Recovery Month, and the first year of the Umbrella Society in our new office. On September 1, 2024, with the help of staff & volunteers, we made the move from 415 Dunedin St., to 2675 Bridge St. With the move came: -a permanent ...

Summer Recovery House BBQ!

Umbrella's Second Stage and Third Stage Supportive Recovery Houses have been a part of many people's recovery journey over the past 25 years. Last week, our Housing Manager Erik hosted a barbeque for the current and former residents of Foundation House, Cooper House, an...
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Foundation House: Congratulations Barry!

Last week, one of our Foundation House residents celebrated three years of sobriety. Congratulations to Barry on achieving this milestone in your recovery journey, we're so proud of you!