CMHA Halton-Exciting Changes Are Coming to Peer Services This Fall

 

Hello Peer Community, We have some exciting changes coming to Peer Services this fall! Earlier this summer, we asked for your feedback about your experiences with Peer Services, what you value about the program, and what you would like to see in the future. We listened. Our Peer team has been busy planning throughout the summer, and your feedback is helping shape the next chapter of Peer Services. You told us that connection and belonging matter, and that you value having different ways to participate. We heard interest in a combination of drop-in groups and structured workshops, continued access to virtual programming, some opportunities for in-person participation, and practical topics that support recovery, relationships, and wellbeing. We also heard that accessibility, flexible scheduling, creative programming, breathwork, and clear information about available programs are important to you. What's coming this fall? Beginning in October, we will be transitioning our group programming to a Recovery College model. Recovery College is an evidenced-based model that builds on many of the things you already value about Peer Services - connection, lived experience, hope, learning from one another and personal recovery - while creating more opportunities to learn, develop skills and explore topics that matter to you. Our Fall offerings will include: DBT 101 Boundaries 101 6-Week Healthy Boundaries Land-Based Healing, in partnership with Grandmother's Voice Nurturing Art CHIME Just Breathe – Virtual Just Breathe – In-Person at Burlington Library Many offerings will continue to be drop-in, while others will require registration and delivered in-person. We will also be introducing a new online registration process for our registered workshops and courses. Don't worry - we'll show you how it works! September will look a little different September will be our transition month, which means the schedule will look a little different from what you're used to. We've attached the September calendar to this email so you can see what's happening throughout the month. We have created multiple drop-in opportunities in September where you can learn more about: What is Recovery College? What's changing? What's staying the same? What programs are coming this fall? How will registration work? You'll have several opportunities to meet with us, ask questions and get comfortable with the new model before the first Recovery College semester begins in October. You'll also continue to see familiar opportunities for connection throughout September, including Just Breathe, Nurturing Art, Conversations and CHIME. And we need your help with one more thing... As the program evolves, we think it's also time to revisit what we call it. Over the coming weeks, we'll be asking the Peer Community to help us choose a new name for the program - one that reflects recovery, learning, connection and the important role of lived experience. We'll be sharing some potential names and inviting you to tell us what you think, so stay tuned! Most importantly, while some things are changing, the connection and community at the heart of Peer Services are not going away. We're building on them. Your feedback is helping us create a program that offers different ways to connect, learn, build skills and support your own recovery journey. Please take a look at the attached September calendar, and watch for more information throughout the month about our Fall Recovery College offerings, registration, in-person opportunities and the new program name. Thank you to everyone who took the time to share your experiences and ideas with us this summer. We're looking forward to showing you what we've been working on and continuing to build the next chapter together. Warmly, The Peer Services Team

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