By focusing intensively on the fundamental act of dialogue, by warmly supporting self-expression and listening, the group serves as a healing and growing space where participants can re-encounter, sometimes painfully and, it seems, always with varying degrees of struggle, the powerful and definitively human act, of telling their story and connecting with others. The writing group demonstrates what is possible when we cross social borders to collaborate with and listen to groups who are usually ignored.

The WCC has been a tremendous aid supporting our members find their voice. Members who struggle with isolation have been able to use their artistic expression and social skills learned from the groups and incorporate these in their recovery.

Several of our staff have been told what a great addition this is to our program by a number of clients and one of my clients put it clearly and succinctly when he said, ‘I used to think I was just and addict, now I see that I am more than that. In creative writing today, I saw that I am creative, that I am a writer, and that I just might have something to give back after all.’ With respect/Meegwetch