Starlings Community

09/04/2026

Thanks so much for the share friends! Come join us and the Canadian centre on substance use as we talk about creating relational safety for youth growing up with parental substance use challenges with Canadian Centre on Substance Use

An estimated one in five young people in Canada are affected by parental substance use, yet many remain unseen until challenges escalate. Research shows that experiences such as stigma, chronic stress, caregiving responsibilities and family instability can influence a young person's relationships, h...

09/02/2026

Hey current and potential Community of Safer Practice members! Our next community of practice meeting is taking place Sept 20 from 12-1:30pm MST and we’d love to have you join us.

Topic: With back to school in full swing, we are reflecting on and discussing supporting youth with a s.a.f.e.r return to school and a look at parental substance use from a children’s rights lens with special guests from Starlings Youth Advocacy Council, Cassandra and Vanessa.

Not a member of our CoSP yet? Our CoSP is a community of practice for community organizers, advocates and professionals who want to co-create a community committed to improving support for youth and families affected by parental substance use.

Link in bio to learn more and join for free.

09/01/2026

Are you in Alberta and interested in joining an amazing group of folks at Starlings community as a peer mentor, supporting folks 1:1 and/or in group settings? We are recruiting 4 new volunteer peer mentors!

Scroll through to learn about who we are looking for, what we provide, and how you can sign up.

Link in bio or stories. Head here to apply https://forms.cloud.microsoft/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=Mwg5N8vC2UyCdUEmsAacWM4VqQ6AgZFDjNCMXIZ5orBUNlNXQlU4MlJNSDI3TldHWjhLODVTRFo0Wi4u or email us at [email protected]:)

08/31/2026

“We need a way to break the cycle of isolation... a place where our emotions can be expressed without fear of judgment. A way for us to process pain, share experiences, and find comfort in knowing that we are actually not alone. Peer support breaks the cycle of isolation'. Starlings Peer.

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day and we are remembering and honouring the many parents lost to overdose and the toxic drug supply, and paving a new path forward, one without stigma, fear, or shame, for those grieving while navigating the stigma that silences.

When a parent has struggled with substance use or dies from substance use, whether from toxic drugs, alcohol, or other substances, society's reaction can make open grieving feel complicated or unsafe. No young person should ever have to gauge how safe it is to share their grief, or weigh the circumstances of a loss, before they feel allowed to mourn. Regardless of how a parent died, or how complex, painful, or chaotic life may have been, a death leaves a child behind. And a child’s right to grieve is absolute.

Whether you are 5 or 55, if you have lost a parent to substances, you do not have to justify your parent’s life just to be allowed to mourn them. Loss is loss. Your pain is real, their memory matters, and you and every child deserves a safe space to process grief without shame, judgment, or fear.

If you are in Alberta, access our free resources and supports, like our free hope kits, at https://www.starlings.ca/why-parental-addiction or email us at [email protected] to connect with a peer mentor.

08/28/2026

School starts back next week and a friendly reminder from starlings youth: ‘Kids are scared to say anything about drugs because they know drugs are labelled and talked about as ‘bad’’. This simple and common label can be the difference between a youth reaching out for support for a family members substance use or their own, or not.

Scroll through for quick tips and reach out to our team with any questions to learn about how we can support you and your students at [email protected].

On a school council? Reach out and let’s get resources and tools into your school.

Email us at [email protected].

08/27/2026

Next Virtual Grief & Glue Topic: What are we letting go and what are we holding on to.

Session for 15+: Thursday Sept 3 (and monthly)
Session for 9-14 year olds Tues Sept 8 (and every 2 weeks)

If you've lost a parent or other caregiver or family member to substance use related challenges, or support a youth who has, join us for our Grief and Glue peer sessions.

Online RSVP: https://www.starlings.ca/griefsupport

In this session, we'll continue exploring how grief shows up in our relationships through art, with a focus on what are we letting go and what are we holding on to.

Supplies you'll need:
-Blank paper
-Drawing tools (pen or pencil)
-Colouring materials: whatever you have on hand: markers, pencil crayons, paints, etc.

Reach out if you need support accessing tools, if you have questions, or would like to chat one-on-one before coming to group.

Online RSVP: https://www.starlings.ca/griefsupport

08/26/2026

What do youth growing up with parental substance use and substance use related loss say they need from the adults and communities around them? Safer resources, relationships and supports, which can seem easy, but is dependent on each individual.

As International overdose awareness day approaches us on Monday August 31, here are 5 reminders of how you can better support a youth grieving the loss of a parent.

If you are a caregiver/parent supporting a youth and need support? Connect with a peer mentor 1:1 to learn about our resources, ask the hard questions, and access free tools and system navigation support. https://www.starlings.ca/family-caregivers

Are you a youth? Know you are not alone, book a 1:1 or join our groups, or let us help you know what other supports exists.

https://www.starlings.ca/griefsupport

Professional? Learn about our trainings that integrate evidence informed and youth centred understanding of how to best support youth and their families. Link in bio or email us at [email protected]

https://www.starlings.ca/trainingsforfrontlineworkers

PS. this post was made by humans, not AI as the label from meta on the posts suggests. All human words, human creativity (wit the support of CANVA:)

08/24/2026

We know that unpacking and understanding our stories related to parental/ familial substance use challenges and the grief and shame that can come with it, hard.

We have 10 spots available for our peer empowerment mentorship program taking place over 8 weeks starting Sept 9 for individuals who have/are growing up with parental /familial substance use challenges.

When: weekly Wednesdays starting Sept 8 4:30-6pm
Where: Recovery on Campus U of C at 3500 24th ave NW
Who: individuals looking to understand their stories in a peer setting through guided storytelling

Link in bio to join this Sept cohort or click here https://www.starlings.ca/why-parental-addiction/peer-empowerment-mentorship

Thanks to Recovery On Campus (ROC) for providing the space and for City of Calgary providing funding.

08/12/2026

Hey Calgary parents and other family members caring for a youth who has or is growing up with parental substance use challenges, we see you and want to support you as you support your youth.

Our caregiver drop in is happening August 20 at 12:30 and 4:30 at our Calgary Bridgeland office.

Whether your kiddo has navigated a parent accessing detox and treatment, supporting a parent managing their substance use and mental health, grief surrounding the loss of a parent to drugs, or anything in between, our team understands and wants your kiddo to know they aren’t alone.

Come drop by solo or with your kiddo for a free snack and pack a mini HomeKit (feee) for your youth which includes peer created tools and resources ranging from Starlings workbooks on grief, stress and managing feelings; grab and learn about coping tools that can be used in everyday situations, and sn**ch free movie passes (while supplies last) to take your kiddo out for some fun and respite.

Link in bio to register or email our family mentors at [email protected].