Our History and Location

The initial two years of WWS were dedicated to fundraising efforts to renovate our beloved ranch house. Despite challenges posed by COVID-19, thanks to the support of volunteers, local businesses, and a 3yr grant from the Alberta Mental Health and Addictions Department, this  enabled us to achieve our goals, and have our first .5 years of full operational programming up and running. 

Without generous donations from the public, local businesses, and government grants that allow us to continue to operate and offer all of our programs and services at no cost to our first responders, military personnel, veterans, and their families living with PTSD and OSI...WWS and our team would not be able to continue to provide these vital services. 

If you would like to make a donation, please click on the link below to donate today. Please note that as a nonprofit organization we are unable to issue tax receipts. All donations are greatly appreciated and go toward the cost of operating costs and program supplies. 

Donations can be sent by mail to the address in our contact page, or by e-transfer to treasurer@wayfinderswellness.ca 

In 2022, WWS launched its full range of programs in the last half of the year, followed by a successful inaugural year of full operations in 2023. During this time, WWS proudly served a total of 2,493 first responders, military personnel, veterans, and their families living with PTSD and OSI through a range of peer led wellness programs and peer support groups.

WWS was founded by individuals who, having experienced PTSD themselves, sought (in addition to clinical care already being received through external providers not related to WWS) non-clinical resources specifically tailored for first responders, military personnel, and veterans, and their families. 

WWS team of peers envisioned a safe space where individuals and families could participate in grounding activities and rebuild a sense of community, often lost due to workplace stigma or removal from the workplace as a result of mental health injury. 

Recognizing the need for wellness practices that are engaging and positive in nature that help those living with injury maintain the tools learned through their clinical care journey, WWS offers programs that complement clinical treatment that assist in maintaining whole person wellness through it's offered programs, while minimizing the risks associated with trauma bonding by incorporating things such as our "Do No Harm" policy.

WWS is founded on Peers with lived experience helping Peers navigate PTSD/OSI injury. 

WWS helps first responders, military personnel, veterans, and their families maintain wellness in remission from PTSD/OSI injury.

• WWS is committed to creating a Safe environment for Wellness opportunities.
• WWS recognizes and works towards helping to strengthen the Value of Family support living with injury.
• WWS acknowledges that it takes Courage to reach out for help.
• WWS are building and earning trust with a "Do No Harm" approach.
• WWS appreciate and promote the development of personal and organizational Wisdom.
• WWS are committed to continuing to strengthen and grow a healthier Community of support.
• WWS demonstrates courage through Trust, Integrity, and Compassion.
• WWS and it's team is dedicated to work tenaciously to help Strengthen not only our warrior's resilience, but that of the family unit.

Beyond external clinical care, WWS acknowledges the vital role of spouses and families in supporting individuals with PTSD/OSI. 

Our team additionally can provide information and deferrals to additional external resources and supports that may be wanted to help families navigate the challenges and stages of this injury, ensuring they remain as informed of additional resources as possible. These deferrals are available upon request and do not require participation in our programs to receive them. Please contact our admin at info@wayfinderswellness.ca 

If you are a First Responder, Military Service Member, or Veteran in need of assistance (or a spouse helping them to look for help navigating the system) navigating agencies such as WCB, or VAC, WWS will assist where possible as our team has had a vast range of experience navigating some of the paperwork and potential hurdles. 

WWS is committed to providing a safe community where peers can come together to learn and practice tools for maintaining managing PTSD/OSI symptoms. Our in person activities are designed for those who are through the highly acute stages of the healing journey, to promote maintaining of wellness, both through participation at our facility with peers, and through practices that can be continued at home. 

All peer support groups are available online and are also available to those still in the acute stages of their healing journey, as they can be attended virtually from the safety and comfort of home. 

Our facility is accessible by appointment only or by registering for one of our upcoming programs. This is to also be mindful of the landowner operations and traffic coming through as we are located on a peaceful section of a working cattle ranch. 

For safety and liability reasons, smoking, drugs, and alcohol are strictly prohibited on our premises and the surrounding landowner property. Participants who need to smoke must do so in designated areas off-site. 

If vaping is the method for smoking this must be done in participants vehicles to be respectful of those who may have sensitivities to odors, and minors may be present.