November 13, 2025

Mental health and addiction clients give back to the community as part of their recovery journey

PROJECT 4 HOPE, a newly formed client-led initiative at Brightshores’ Wellness and Recovery Centre, is making its mark by turning lived experience into community action.

Earlier this month, the patients held their first public event — a community cleanup day in the Owen Sound River District — bringing visibility to recovery and opening up conversations about the realities of addiction, mental health challenges and homelessness. Patients leveraged the Community Clean-Up Carts program available at owensound.ca/CleanUpCarts.

“Recovery isn’t just about healing — it’s about reconnecting, giving back, and creating spaces for conversation,” said one client organizer. “By sharing our stories, we hope to help others understand the challenges of mental health and addiction and build a sense of community around recovery.”

PROJECT 4 HOPE is part of an elective program offered to clients in Brightshores’ 90-day and long-stay recovery programs. Participants are empowered to lead, advocate and connect, contributing to their community while sharing personal experiences that help increase awareness and understanding.

“The City of Owen Sound is a valued partner of Brightshores, and we’re grateful for their support of the clients by providing supplies for the cleanup,” said Naomi Vodden, Director of Mental Health & Addiction Services at Brightshores. “One in five people will experience a mental health or addiction issue, and we are here to support individuals, families, and communities across Grey Bruce.”

PROJECT 4 HOPE

Mission: To reduce stigma and raise awareness by sharing lived experiences and fostering meaningful connection.

Vision: A community where individuals affected by addiction, homelessness, and mental health challenges are treated with dignity and understanding. PROJECT 4 HOPE seeks to bridge gaps between residents, service providers, and local businesses—creating systems of support where people can thrive.

Values: Equity, Respect, Collaboration, Advocacy, Inclusivity.

WELLNESS & RECOVERY CENTRE

The Wellness & Recovery Centre is the first model of its kind in Ontario. Since opening in June 2024, it has become a place of hope, healing and connection. Located in a repurposed elementary school in Owen Sound, the centre offers stable housing and integrated treatment for individuals with complex needs – providing wraparound services under one roof to support every step of the recovery journey.

 

---

At South Grey News, we endeavour to bring you truthful and factual, up-to-date local community news in a quick and easy-to-digest format that’s free of political bias. We believe this service is more important today than ever before, as social media has given rise to misinformation, largely unchecked by big corporations who put profits ahead of their responsibilities.

South Grey News does not have the resources of a big corporation. We are a small, locally owned-and-operated organization. Research, analysis and physical attendance at public meetings and community events requires considerable effort. But contributions from readers and advertisers, however big or small, go a long way to helping us deliver positive, open and honest journalism for this community.

Please consider supporting South Grey News with a donation in lieu of a subscription fee and let us know that our efforts are appreciated. Thank you.