The Empower2Recover Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in overcoming addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges through live events, recovery programs, and inspiring partnerships. We spoke with Jay Barnard, Executive Director and Founder of Empower2Recover, to learn more about the foundation’s mission, the impact of their work, and how they are fostering hope and resilience across Canada.
Describe your charity/non-profit/volunteer work in a few sentences.
The Empower2Recover Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting individuals and communities in overcoming addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. Through live events, recovery programs, and inspiring partnerships, the foundation fosters hope, empowerment, and resilience, helping people reclaim their lives and thrive.
What problem does it aim to solve?
The Empower2Recover Foundation aims to address the widespread challenges of addiction, trauma, and mental health struggles by creating spaces for support, education, and empowerment. It seeks to reduce stigma, provide resources, and inspire lasting recovery for individuals and communities in need.
When did you start/join the charity?
Chef Recovery Jay Barnard founded the Empower2Recover Foundation alongside Brooke Robichaud and Carl Heath in 2023, driven by their passion for helping individuals overcome addiction and mental health challenges. With over 16 years of recovery experience himself, Chef Jay envisioned the foundation as a platform to inspire hope, resilience, and empowerment in communities across Canada. Under his leadership, Empower2Recover has become a national nonprofit dedicated to hosting impactful live events, supporting recovery programs, and fostering meaningful connections for those on their journey to healing and transformation.
What made you want to get involved?
Chef Recovery Jay Barnard alongside Brooke Robichaud and Carl Heath created the Empower2Recover Foundation to address the critical need for support, education, and empowerment for individuals battling addiction, trauma, and mental health challenges. Having overcome his own struggles with addiction, Chef Jay understands the importance of community, hope, and access to resources in the recovery process. The foundation was born out of his desire to reduce stigma, inspire change, and provide a platform where people can share their stories, connect with others, and find the strength to rebuild their lives.
What was the situation like when you started?
When Chef Recovery Jay Barnard founded the Empower2Recover Foundation in 2023, Canada was grappling with a mental health and addiction crisis exacerbated by the lasting impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Rates of trauma, substance use, and mental health challenges had surged, with many individuals struggling to access timely care and support. The stigma surrounding addiction and mental health issues remained a significant barrier, preventing many from seeking help. Recovery resources were often limited or fragmented, leaving individuals and communities searching for holistic and accessible solutions. Chef Jay recognized this gap and launched Empower2Recover to create a national platform focused on hope, empowerment, and community-driven support, offering people the tools and inspiration needed to rebuild their lives.
How has it changed since?
Since the launch of the Empower2Recover Foundation in 2023, the conversation around trauma, mental health, addictions, and recovery has begun to shift in communities across Canada. Through its live events – 11 to date, recovery programs – The ARN (Alternative Recovery Network), and 97 – community partners, the foundation has helped reduce stigma, fostered open dialogue with 117 different speakers from all pathways of recovery, and created spaces where people feel empowered to share their stories in 4 provinces so far. The foundation’s efforts have strengthened community connections, provided access to valuable resources, and inspired hope for individuals and families affected by these challenges. While the broader crisis persists, Empower2Recover has made measurable strides in promoting resilience, education, and recovery, demonstrating the power of collective action in addressing these pressing issues.
What more needs to be done?
As the Empower2Recover Foundation, there is still much work to be done to address the challenges of trauma, mental health, and addiction on a larger scale. Key priorities include:
- Expanding Reach: Increase the number of events and programs across Canada to reach more communities, including remote and underserved areas, where recovery resources are often limited.
- Building Partnerships: Forge stronger alliances with organizations, businesses, and governments to enhance funding, access to resources, and awareness campaigns.
- Advocating for Change: Advocate for policy reforms to improve access to mental health and addiction treatment, reduce wait times, and integrate trauma-informed care into healthcare systems.
- Promoting Education: Develop more workshops, training sessions, and educational materials to empower individuals, families, and community leaders with tools to understand and support recovery.
- Strengthening Follow-Up Support: Create sustainable follow-up programs and networks for individuals’ post-recovery events, ensuring long-term support and community connections.
- Focusing on Youth and Prevention: Invest in early intervention programs and youth-specific initiatives to address mental health and addiction challenges before they escalate.
- Reducing Stigma Further: Launch targeted campaigns and storytelling initiatives to normalize conversations about mental health and recovery and dismantle the barriers caused by stigma.
By continuing to innovate and collaborate, Empower2Recover can lead the charge in creating a future where recovery is accessible, celebrated, and supported for all.
How can our readers help?
Readers of the Calgary Guardian can support the Empower2Recover Foundation in several impactful ways:
- Attend Events: Participate in upcoming Battle for Recovery events to connect with the community, learn about recovery stories, and contribute to raising awareness and support for the cause.
- Volunteer: Offer time or expertise to assist with events, programs, and initiatives, helping to expand the foundation’s reach and impact in Calgary and beyond.
- Donate: Financial contributions, whether one-time donations or recurring sponsorships are vital to sustaining the foundation’s recovery programs and community outreach efforts, for more in email empower2recover@gmail.com
- Share Resources: Help spread the word by sharing the foundation’s mission and events through social media or word of mouth to increase visibility and support.
- Partner: Businesses or organizations can consider becoming corporate sponsors or partners, helping to fund or amplify the foundation’s events and programs.
- Offer In-Kind Support: Companies or individuals can contribute goods or services, such as venue spaces, catering, or promotional materials, which help reduce operational costs.
- Fundraise: Readers can host their own fundraising events, such as charity runs or community gatherings, to raise money and awareness for the foundation’s mission.
Every effort, whether big or small, helps Empower2Recover continue its critical work in supporting recovery and mental health across communities.
Do you have any events coming up?
Empower2Recover Foundation 2025 Live Events: April 25th – Bridgewater Ns.
National Prevention Week: May 16th – Cornwall Ontario – with a potential flag raising!
International Day Against Drug Abuse: June 26th – Port Moody BC. – (Not confirmed)
Overdose Awareness Day: Aug 30th – Thunder Bay Ontario
Recovery Month: Sept 5th – Saskatoon Saskatchewan, Sept 12 – Dryden Ontario, Sept 19th – Fort Frances, Sept 26th – Kenora Ontario
World Mental Health Day: Oct 10th – Timmins Ontario
Addiction Awareness Week: Nov 21st – Ottawa Ontario, Nov 28th – Edmonton AB.
Where can we follow you?
Website | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
PAY IT FORWARD: What is an awesome local charity that you love?
The Empower2Recover Foundation holds the Alberta Adolescent Recovery Centre (AARC) in Calgary in the highest regard. AARC’s commitment to supporting youth and their families through life-changing recovery programs aligns perfectly with the foundation’s mission to empower individuals and communities in their recovery journeys.
Their partnership has been profoundly meaningful, not only in enhancing the foundation’s ability to advocate for recovery and wellness but also in amplifying the life-changing work being done for youth facing addiction and mental health challenges. The foundation deeply admires AARC’s unwavering dedication, compassionate approach, and measurable impact in helping young people reclaim their lives, fostering hope, healing, and resilience.
Together, their shared efforts are creating brighter futures for countless individuals and building stronger, healthier communities across Alberta.
