Lindsay Graftas didn't win because he needed the money. He won because he bought a ticket to support his son's recovery. Tomorrow April 17, someone wins $1,000. Deadline to get your ticket before midnight tonight. Get your tickets before midnight: freshstartraffle.com

⏰ One week left until our next 50/50 Early Bird Draw. Purchase your 50/50 tickets before Thursday, June 18, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. and you'll be entered to win a $500 Visa Gift Card, generously sponsored by Mettle Industrial Services. The draw takes place on Friday, June 19, 2026 at 12:00 p.m. We are grateful to have Mettle Industrial Services supporting this draw. For more than 35 years, they have built a reputation across Western Canada through skilled workmanship, strong safety standards, and a commitment to doing things right. That does not happen by accident. It comes from people who take pride in their work, stand behind what they build, and understand the value of showing up consistently. Every ticket purchased helps support Fresh Start Recovery's work of providing addiction treatment, recovery-oriented housing, outreach services, alumni support, and long-term recovery opportunities for individuals and families affected by addiction. Your Early Bird ticket remains eligible for all future draws, including the Grand Prize Draw on August 15 during the 18th Annual 12 Stop Charity Ride for Recovery. The Ride is proudly presented by Grover Law Firm, with Community Champion support from Calgary Harley-Davidson, Cochrane Toyota, and Recovery Alberta. Together, they are helping bring riders, supporters, alumni, and community members together in support of recovery. And while you're entering for the 50/50 Early Bird prize, don't forget the Motorcycle Raffle will award: 🏍️ 2025 Yamaha R1M 🏍️ 2025 Harley-Davidson Low Rider ST The Yamaha is drawn first, and the winning ticket goes right back into the draw for the Harley. One person can win both. One ticket. Multiple chances to win. Every ticket helping build recovery. 🎟️ Get your tickets today: freshstartraffle.com Providing Solutions To Save Lives, Rebuild Families, And Strengthen Communities. Meeting Every Individual, Supporting for Life. AGLC Lic. #762028 (50/50) | #762026 (Motorcycle Raffle) #FreshStartRecovery #RaffleForRecovery #5050Raffle 12StopRideForRecovery RecoveryIsPossible

Join us on August 19 for our annual Whoop-Up Days Community BBQ in Lethbridge. 📅 Wednesday, August 19, 2026 🕚 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM 📍Fresh Start Recovery 85049 Range Road 212, Lethbridge County Whoop-Up Days has always been about community, and this barbecue is an opportunity to spend time together, share a meal, reconnect with familiar faces, and welcome new ones. Throughout the afternoon, guests can enjoy lunch, live music, family activities, face painting, a petting zoo, and the raising of a traditional Tipi with Sage Clan. Vegetarian and gluten-free options will be available. Events like this remind us that recovery happens in community. It is built through relationships, strengthened through connection, and sustained when people continue to show up for one another. Whether you are part of the recovery community, a family member, a supporter, a neighbour, or simply looking for a great community event, you are welcome here. This is a free, family-friendly event. RSVP: forms.cloud.microsoft/r/qcPG… Providing Solutions To Save Lives, Rebuild Families, And Strengthen Communities. #WhoopUpDays #Lethbridge #RecoveryCommunity #CommunityConnection #FreshStartRecovery

Recovery affects more than the person living with addiction. It affects parents, spouses, partners, siblings, children, friends, and entire families. Over the past four weeks, participants from Alberta, Saskatchewan, and British Columbia came together for the newly updated Family and Friends Healing Initiative. Some joined in person at Fresh Start. Others joined online. Every story was different, but each person arrived looking for understanding, connection, and support while navigating the impact addiction has had on their life. This week, we welcomed the newest members of our Family and Friends Alumni community. Joined by Director of Programming Anise Fast and facilitator Nicole, the group gathered for dinner before being welcomed into the weekly Family and Friends Alumni meeting, which continues every Thursday, in person and online. Recovery often focuses on the person struggling with addiction. This program recognizes that families and loved ones need support, healing, and community too. Recovery can begin with one person, but healing often involves many. Over four weeks, the Family and Friends Healing Initiative creates space to ask questions, share experiences, learn practical tools around boundaries and communication, and connect with others who understand what it is like to care about someone struggling with addiction or working through recovery. No one has to carry that experience alone. What makes this program meaningful is what happens after the four weeks end. Participants become part of an ongoing alumni community that continues to show up for one another, week after week. Not as experts. As people who understand the experience firsthand. The next Family and Friends Healing Initiative begins June 25 and runs through July 23. You do not need any connection to Fresh Start to participate. Whether your loved one is actively struggling, in treatment, in recovery, or simply someone you care about, this group is open to you. It is for anyone looking to better understand addiction, learn healthy tools, and focus on their own healing and well-being. 📧 familyandfriends@freshstartrecovery.ca 📞 403-387-6266 Providing Solutions To Save Lives, Rebuild Families, And Strengthen Communities. Meeting Every Individual, Supporting for Life. #FreshStart #RecoveryCommunity #FamilyAndFriends #SupportingForLife #RecoveryIsPossible

☀️ Recovery should be fun too. One of the biggest misconceptions about recovery is that life gets smaller. The truth is the opposite. Recovery creates space for new experiences, healthy friendships, laughter, community, and the opportunity to enjoy life without alcohol or drugs. It creates room for connection and memories that people can actually be present for. That's why Aventa and Fresh Start Recovery are teaming up for a Summer BBQ & Pool Party on July 4th at Mount Pleasant Community Pool. Join us for an evening of swimming, food, music, prizes, and community with people who understand that recovery is not just about what we leave behind. It is about what we build moving forward. Your $10 ticket includes: 🍔 Burger and refreshments 🏊 Swimming 🎵 Music 🎉 Games and prizes 🌴 Plenty of sober fun with a splash There will also be a prize for the best-dressed participant, so bring your best summer outfit and get ready for a great evening. Whether you are in recovery, supporting someone you care about, connected to Aventa or Fresh Start, or simply looking to spend time with a positive community, we would love to see you there. 📅 Saturday, July 4, 2026 🕡 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM 📍 Mount Pleasant Community Pool 🎟️ $10 per person Only 200 tickets are available. Get your tickets here: fresh-start-recovery-centre.… Questions? 📧 alumnae@aventa.org 📧 events@freshstartrecovery.ca Recovery does not happen alone. Neither should the fun. #RecoveryCommunity #SoberFun #FreshStartRecovery #Aventa #RecoveryIsPossible

Some bridges are built from steel and concrete. Others are built through trust, connection, and community. Join us Friday at 1:15 PM for Gratitude at the Lethbridge Recovery Community or online. Email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. #RecoveryIsCommunity #Together

Stories matter. They help us remember where we've been, where we are, and what is possible. Join us Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30 PM as Pierre B. shares his experience, strength, and hope with our community. Open to alumni, current clients, families, friends, staff, and supporters

Fresh Start Alumni BBQ June 13 | 12 to 5 PM 85049 RR 212, Lethbridge Meeting Every Individual, Supporting for Life. Everyone is welcome. RSVP to Dalton: daltonl@freshstartrecovery.ca #TogetherWithoutEnd #StrongerUnited #FreshStartRecovery

🏍️ Our 18th Annual 12 Stop Charity Ride for Recovery returns Sat Aug 15, 2026. 400 km, 12 stops, dinner, motorcycle raffle and 50/50. Alberta's Greatest Bike Run. Register: fresh-start-recovery-centre.… #12StopRide #FreshStartRecovery @Grover_Law_Firm @cochranetoyota @YourAlberta

This week brings two opportunities for Fresh Start Alumni to stay connected. Alumni Business Meeting 📅 Tuesday, June 2 🕕 6:00 PM Step & Topic Meeting 📅 Wednesday, June 3 🕡 6:30 PM 📍 Calgary, Lethbridge, and Online Email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the meeting link.

Alumni Milestones Wednesday at 6:30 PM Calgary • Lethbridge • Online Alumni, current clients, staff, families, friends, and supporters are all welcome. If you would like to attend online, please email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. #FreshStartRecovery #Together

Please note, this week’s Gratitude celebration is taking place on Thursday instead of Friday. If you would like to join online, please email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. Finding solid ground. Moving forward together. Still doing the work. Recovery continues here.

Stay Connected. Step & Topic Meeting tomorrow evening at Fresh Start Recovery. Wednesday, May 20 6:30 PM Calgary, Lethbridge, and Online If you are joining online, email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. #FreshStart #RecoveryCommunity #addiction #recovery #Lethbridge

This Friday at 1:15 PM in Calgary, we come together for Gratitude. That’s what you see here. People who kept showing up, kept doing the work, and now stand together as they move into what comes next. Email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the online link. This is recovery.

Lethbridge is hosting this week’s Speaker Meeting as Alumni David W. shares their story. Wednesday at 6:30 PM Lethbridge, Calgary, and online Recovery continues through Alumni connection, Outreach, and Recovery-Oriented Housing. Email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link.

Grateful to spend part of Mother’s Day weekend with @Grover_Law_Firm at Big Sky BBQ. From today’s movie premiere to sponsoring 2 Wheel Sunday on June 7, and standing behind our Aug 15 12-Stop Ride and raffle motorcycles, they keep showing up. Together, Without End.

A generous community donor stepped forward quietly to support our next 50/50 Early Bird Draw. Someone choosing to give back because they believe recovery matters. Purchase your 50/50 tickets before midnight on Thursday, May 14 for the early bird @ freshstartraffle.com

Join us to celebrate Gratitude in person this Friday at 1:15 PM in Lethbridge or Calgary, or online. Email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. This is recovery. #FreshStart #RecoveryCommunity #Lethbridge #TogetherWithoutEnd #LifeAfterTreatment

Stay Connected Alumni, join us this Wednesday for Step & Topic. 6:30 PM Calgary / Lethbridge / Online To join online, email Rene@freshstartrecovery.ca for the link. Alumni Business Meeting – Tuesday at 6:00 PM This is where the community continues to take shape.

We’re grateful to IODE Bow Fort for helping strengthen commitment, determination and community with their donation towards our fitness spaces. You can see it here. This goes beyond a donation. Through people showing up, staying involved, and making room for the next person.