Celebrating 50 years of connection, community and growth in recovery.
We’ve been providing our unique community-based long-term recovery services since 1975. That’s half a century of doing things a little bit differently, learning from our clients, alumni, staff and supporters, and developing an inclusive culture of excellence to meet the needs of our diverse community.
Connect and Celebrate
This year we’re recognizing the achievements of the past 50 years while looking to the future and we’d love it if you joined in the celebrations.
We’ve designed this web page to help you stay connected with all that we’re doing to mark this special occasion.
Here you’ll find details of everything we have planned, together with special anniversary content and updates. Be sure to bookmark this page and follow us on socials so you don’t miss out as we add new content and event announcements throughout 2025.
1975
Tamarack opens its doors at 64 Balmoral under the name Kia Zan and is officially incorporated on 29th April 1975.
1976
Seeking to build connections right from the start, participants are asked to visit Kia Zan for one week prior to being accepted into the house as residential participants. All genders are welcomed.
1981
Kia Zan moves next door to 60 Balmoral, a rental property it would later purchase to provide a permanent home for its program. Room and board costs clients $226 per month – equivalent to $746 today*.
*according to inflationtool.com
As we celebrate 50 years of service, we’re looking forward to the future with a commitment to providing responsive, innovative and high-quality recovery support for decades to come.
50 For the Future
We’re raising $50,000 by the end of our anniversary year to support our new endowment fund. Every dollar raised is an investment in our future, supporting our community by reducing financial barriers to treatment.
Keep up with our progress towards reaching this ambitious goal here and help us get there by donating now.
- 60%
We are so grateful for the support of Manitoba’s Credit Unions whose donation of $30,000 in May 2025 got this campaign off to such a strong start!
Celebrating with You
Since we welcomed our first clients in 1975, making and maintaining connections has been an essential part of everything we do. This year, to mark our 50th anniversary, we hosted two events to celebrate existing connections, reconnect with those who have been part of Tamarack’s history, and create new links with supporters in our community.
June 25th, 2025
Alumni Celebration
This summer, graduates, program participants and board members joined Tamarack staff for an evening visiting and reconnecting. This relaxed event was a great opportunity to catch-up, share memories and celebrate connections built over the past 50 years.
We loved seeing everyone and showing our appreciation for those who have been such an important part of our story!
September 17th, 2025
Supporters Celebration
This Fall we held a special anniversary event to show our appreciation to the supporters, stakeholders and addiction network partners who have contributed to our half-century of service.
This celebration was made even more special when we received a Community Service Award from Mayor Gillingham and launched our new spring garden.
Tamarack
Growing Together
Spring Garden
Hope grows here! Since 1975 Tamarack has helped thousands of people see beyond a life of addiction and look forward to a healthier future.
That’s why, as part of our 50th anniversary celebrations, we’ve created the Tamarack Growing Together Spring Garden – a living symbol of optimism and transformation.
We’ve planted over one hundred spring bulbs – one for each of the years Tamarack has been operating, plus fifty more as a symbol of faith in the future – in a specially designated area at 60 Balmoral.
Over half of the bulbs in the garden have been dedicated by Tamarack supporters to someone who has helped them grow or meant something special to them in recovery. Their participation means the garden will be a visual reminder of resilience and transformation for all and an important space for reflection, relaxation and connection with nature for Tamarack participants, graduates and team members.
Your Story is Our Story
We’ve been growing together for 50 years. That’s a lot of connections, experiences and learning about recovery! Program alumni, supporters, staff and board reflect on their relationships with Tamarack over the past 50 years. Have you got a Tamarack memory you’d like to share? Join us on socials or email us at 50years@tamarackrecovery.org to submit your story.
“That feeling of being connected like a family has always been important to me and to how the program is run here.”
“I’ve been involved with Tamarack for 14 years…I learned so much…”
“It’s an amazing thing you guys do…”
“I feel honoured and blessed to have spent a large part of…my working years at Tamarack. I have loved being part of developing our aftercare and pre-treatment programs, and seeing our dream of having a safe transitional home for our graduates become a reality.”
“I have been connected to Tamarack for over 14 years now. That’s the beautiful thing about this place – they don’t give you a deadline for support once you graduate. You get support for life if you want it.”
“I could tell quickly that Tamarack was going to be something special… My counsellor provided unwavering support and guidance, gently steering me towards solutions and reminding me of the bigger picture when needed. I felt genuinely heard and understood.”
Latest News
Generous gift from Manitoba’s Credit Unions supports the future of long-standing Winnipeg agency
Representing Manitoba’s Credit Unions were Jim Harris (Director, Communications & Governance) and Samantha Stupack (Communications Coordinator)...
About the Tamarack Agency Fund
Introducing our Special Anniversary Logo
Our 50 years logo is just one of the ways we’ll be marking our half-century of providing recovery support.
50 years of service is a major milestone and we wanted to be able to acknowledge this important achievement clearly and simply throughout 2025.
Our familiar green combined with a tree rings pattern represents the years of growth and development experienced by the agency and all who have connected with us since 1975.
We hope that this simple statement resonates with you!