There was a time when we were terrified we might lose our daughter to addiction. As parents, there is no greater pain than watching your child struggle and feeling helpless, not knowing how to guide them back to the person you know they truly are.
When our daughter made the brave decision to enter Portage Atlantic in September, it was one of the hardest days our family had faced — but looking back now, it was also one of the most important and courageous decisions she has ever made.
At that time we were scared, exhausted, and heartbroken. Addiction had taken such a toll on her life and on our family, and we didn’t know what the future would hold. What we found at Portage Atlantic was far more than a treatment center — we found a community filled with compassion, patience, structure, and people who truly believe in these young individuals when they may not yet believe in themselves.
Over the past several months, we have watched something incredible happen. We have watched our daughter slowly begin to find herself again. The strength she has built, the confidence she has gained, and the hope she now carries for her future is something that once felt so far out of reach. Seeing her smile again, hearing her talk about her goals, and watching her grow into the young woman she is becoming has been the greatest gift we could ever receive as parents.
This transformation did not happen overnight, and it certainly did not happen alone. The staff at Portage Atlantic dedicate their hearts to helping these young people rebuild their lives. Their patience, guidance, and commitment give families like ours something we once feared we might lose — hope.
I would especially like to give a heartfelt thank you to Rachel, her case worker. Rachel has been an incredible support not only to our daughter but to our entire family. Her compassion, encouragement, and belief in our daughter made such a powerful difference. She saw potential in her even during the hardest moments and helped guide her toward the strong young woman she is becoming today. Knowing someone was truly advocating for our daughter and walking beside her through this journey meant more to us than words could ever fully express.
Our daughter will complete the program in April, and while we know her journey will continue beyond that day, we will forever be grateful for the foundation that Portage Atlantic has helped her build. You have given her tools, strength, and belief in herself that will carry her forward in life.
To everyone at Portage Atlantic — thank you for the work you do every single day. You change lives. You restore hope. You help rebuild families.
And to our daughter — we could not be more proud of you. The courage it takes to face your struggles, to do the hard work, and to fight for a better life is something many people will never fully understand. Watching you grow through this journey has been one of the most powerful and emotional experiences of our lives.
You remind us that even in the darkest moments, there is always hope. And because of you, and the incredible support from Portage Atlantic, we now see a bright and beautiful future ahead.
As we learned that Portage Atlantic is marking its 30th anniversary this year, it made us realize just how many families have walked this road before us — and how grateful we are to have found this place when our daughter needed it most.
From a grateful parent: thank you for helping give our daughter her life back.
- Parent of a youth at Cassidy Lake’s Youth Centre, New Brunswick
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