About Us

PEP Society supports and educates families dealing with the effects of addiction in their loved ones. PEP’s focus is empowering families and caregivers of a loved one struggling with addiction to step into health and recovery. PEP is governed by a Board of Directors, and an Executive Director oversees programming, organizational awareness, and growth.

PEP Society

PEP Society is a registered non-profit organization founded in June 2004 and registered in February 2005. It was founded by a Family Support Worker, a Probation Officer, and a mother with a child struggling with methamphetamine addiction.

On July 1, 2006, the Protection of Children Abusing Drugs Act (PChAD) took effect. This is mandated treatment for children under eighteen years of age at risk as a result of drug or alcohol use. PEP Society was instrumental in getting this legislation as a resource for parents.

Today, PEP Society has family recovery groups in South Edmonton, Sherwood Park, St.Albert, Red Deer, Calgary and an Alberta-wide virtual group.

Mission, Vision, Values, Purpose

Mission

(The WHAT)

We empower families impacted by a loved one’s addiction through professionally facilitated learning, evidenced–informed tools and compassionate communities built on both expertise and lived experience.

Vision

(The DIFFERENCE we’re creating)

A society where no family faces addiction alone, where support is grounded in evidence, stigma is replaced by understanding, and recovery and hope are the norm.

Purpose

(The WHY)

Parents Empowering Parents (PEP) Society exists so families affected by addiction can move from chaos to calm, misunderstanding to knowledge, and hopelessness to hope.

Values

(The WAY - what guides the way we do our work)

At PEP Society, our work is guided by six core values. They shape how we support families affected by addiction and how we show up for each other.

Growth with Purpose
We believe learning opens the door to healing.
Families recover when they are supported with knowledge, encouragement and a space to grow.

Lead with Integrity
Families need people they can trust.
We act honestly, steadily, and with accountability.

Heal Together
Community strengthens recovery.
We build spaces where families connect, share, and foster resilience together.

Honour every Voice
Every story matters.
We listen respectfully without judgment and value both lived and professional experience.

view of people in a semi circle Pep Society Alberta

Inclusion and Safety
Everyone deserves dignity and compassion.
We create welcoming, diverse and trauma-informed environments.

Make Room for Hope
We help families reclaim possibility.
We celebrate small wins and show that healing, even if messy, is real and achievable.

Who We Are

PEP meetings were initially established as a result of an increasing need for support and direction for families dealing with the effects of substance abuse in youth.

Our Accolades

Awards, Accomplishments and Mentorship/Partnerships

Platinum Queen Elizabeth Jubilee Medal

Awarded to Executive Director Lerena Greig, 2022

Queen's Jubilee Medal

Was awarded to Maralyn Benay

People's Choice Award

2nd Place, Wreath/Centerpiece Category, Festival of Trees: 2012

Community Life Pride of Strathcona Award

Maralyn Benay, Tina Dow, & Audrey Holliday (PEP Co-Founders): 2011

People's Choice Award

3rd Place Tree Category, Festival of Trees: 2008, 2010

Restorative Justice Awards Annual Achievement

2010

PEP Contributors

A Heartfelt Thank You to Our Supporters

We are deeply grateful to the individuals, businesses, foundations, and funders who make our work possible:

Government & Public Support
Alberta Government
Strathcona County
United Way
CALLS Community Adult Learning & Literacy Society

Community & Service Clubs
Canadian Progress Club – Sherwood Park
Canadian Progress Club – Silks

Healthcare & Wellness Partners
Alberta College of Pharmacy
The Medicine Shoppe, Sherwood Park
Brisbin Family Chiropractic
Sherwood Park Yoga
St. Albert Alliance Church
Sunrise Community Church
Sturgeon Valley Baptist Church

Corporate & Foundation Sponsors
ATCO EPIC
BMO Wealth Management & BMO Nesbitt Burns
Butler Family Foundation
County Clothes-Line Foundation
Dacro Industries Inc.
Greig Printing & Stationery Ltd.
Halkier + Dutton Design

McCrady Rourke Advisory
Park Power
Roger and Reit Bland Family Fund
Felix & Pat Kuefler Fund
Realtors Community Foundation, Edmonton & Area
SITE, a Centurion Company
Task Guru
Womanition

Our Partners

Upcoming Meetings

Join the group in a safe, non-judgmental place. Drop in with no registration required.

Journeys of Hope

As our Red Deer Family Recovery Group approaches 1 year (April 1st start date) please know how many lives you have impacted and gave hope to in our very hard journeys. Our facilitators are wonderful and PEP has truly saved my life and helped others - mother of a son on journey.

With PEP I learned that I needed to take care of myself and that it was ok to love me again.

I encourage others to reach out sooner. You are not alone and with the support of others and the knowledge you gain through PEP's Family Recovery Group, healing can begin. You can find yourself again.

The greatest thing that PEP Family Recovery Group brings to my life is the feeling that I am not alone. Hearing others stories while crying and laughing together is my safe place to find healing.

We will make a slider so this testimonial might be there already on the existing site.

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