Testimonials

Celebrating 55 Years of Service 1967 - 2022
A Commitment to Recovery. A Commitment to Quality.

"I’m slowly but surely becoming my authentic self..."

"Wayside has impacted my life tremendously. Each conversation with a peer or counselor, each class, each chore even if I don’t want to do it is bringing me back to life literally. I’m slowly but surely becoming my authentic self and learning to love and respect myself again. My eyes are bright, I have things to smile about now, and I laugh again. Wayside has given me hope."

"During my time at Wayside I have been a part of a family..."

"Wayside holds a special place in my heart. It is the first place that I have been treated as a human being since I opened up about my substance abuse issues. I have seen countless doctors, social workers, psychiatrists, counselors, and been to other treatment facilities. I have always felt judged and treated as a number. During my time at Wayside I have been a part of a family. Wayside has stirred up things in myself I had no idea were there, and allowed me to love myself which I never thought possible again. It feels good to be a part of the human race again. My ideas and opinions actually matter!"

"For the first time in a long time, I have love and respect for myself..."

"When I think of Wayside House, the first and only word that comes to mind is love. The staff here have lived experience and actually care about our well-being. We are treated like people and in turn, feel like people again. For the first time in a long time, I have love and respect for myself. Thank you Wayside! You have given me my life back and you have given my son his father back."

"Wayside has taught me to put myself and my recovery first..."

"I came to Wayside because I heard it was the best program in Ontario. I also heard the staff and program were highly praised by others who had attended. The recovery program is well administered and so is its ability to give a person positive structure in their time of need. Wayside has taught me to put myself and my recovery first."

"When I think of Wayside House, I think of my new beginning..."

"When I think of Wayside House, I think of my new beginning, this house and the staff that work here have helped me in so many ways. I am so very blessed to have Wayside House be apart of me for the rest of my life and I know my family, ex and two boys have so much love this place. Thank you for saving my life, much love forever and always!"

"I am leaving here ready and willing to embrace recovery and all that it brings..."

"The best way to describe Wayside House is life-changing and life-saving. Everything that I have learned here has shown me that I don't have to be a slave to my addiction anymore. The clients and the counselors are true human beings, full of caring, compassion, and knowledge of all kinds. I am leaving here ready and willing to embrace recovery and all that it brings. I also leave here ready for life itself, and with hope, because I know I am a better human being just for being here."

"I am not only feeling comfortable but I am part of a new life, a happy life..."

"For me I needed something. I felt there was something missing to achieve sobriety. When I heard about Wayside it sounded that I may find what I needed. When I started my stay at Wayside I felt nervous being out of my element. As time went on I felt more comfortable. I began to learn about myself. My feelings, emotions I had kept buried deep down. I found myself being a part of a family. All with the same problems looking for help….. I’m learning to change to a much needed lifestyle with routine.

Wayside is showing me that. I am not only feeling comfortable but I am part of a new life, a happy life. I need to work hard, easy to say I know but Wayside is taking me beyond that. The counselors are outstanding. They do not take yes/no answers and make you dig deep."

"To make the Wayside team, all that was asked is that I get on base and stop drinking..."

"I see Wayside like the Brad Pitt true story Moneyball. Ball players rejected because of age or injury make the team because they still know how to get on base. Coming to Wayside, I felt rejected and unable to live without alcohol. To make the Wayside team, all that was asked is that I get on base and stop drinking. So Arrived one week sober and began one of the best experiences of my life. I learned the way to true recovery is not just abstaining from alcohol, it is also learning to live a happy, content, purpose-filled life without it. After years of alcohol and drug abuse and numerous burnt bridges, Wayside saw value in me on the journey to becoming more fully human."

"I began to see and slowly understand the whole picture of addiction, and how it ultimately plays an important role in my life..."

"When I first came to Wayside house, I was a broken down individual who at the time was not only a completely broken down individual but also someone that was not even able to see the value and worth of himself. I left Toronto and came here to Hamilton to try to make a major change in my life. Upon arriving here at Wayside, I was not only welcomed by the staff and current clients, but I was made to feel accepted and quickly knew that I was at the right place to begin to get the help that I needed. While here for treatment I began to realize that dealing with the physical aspects of addiction was just a very small component of the overall goal of sobriety.

I began to see and slowly understand the whole picture of addiction, and how it ultimately plays an important role in my life, all the while not letting it define who I am more than it already has. Also while here at wayside I was also dealing with some rather significant health related issues which at times placed a significant strain on my fledgling sobriety. Throughout all this, I was shown unconditional love and support by everyone here and everyone which helped give me an extra push to complete the program and begin a new chapter of my life."

"I began to learn about myself. My feelings, emotions I had kept buried deep down..."

“I felt there was something missing to achieve sobriety. When I heard about Wayside it sounded that I may find what I needed. When I started my stay at Wayside I felt nervous being out of my element. As time went on I felt more comfortable. I began to learn about myself. My feelings, emotions I had kept buried deep down. I found myself being a part of a family...”

"Wayside is a place that deals with so many different layers of the complexities of individualism..."

“Wayside is a place that deals with so many different layers of the complexities of individualism. The care and consideration given to both my addiction and mental illness, helped me to both, feel a part of, and provided the tools in which to deal with my personal issues. Transitioning into the Supportive Housing Program has given the opportunity to thrive and build a life of recovery.”

"I gained solutions at Wayside..."

“I gained solutions at Wayside. The groups gave me the courage to face my demons. The counselors provided me with the ability to see things about myself I hadn’t seen before in such a caring environment. This place is where changes happen. I strongly feel I can have a life of purpose and accomplishment.”

"The more I change the way I look at things, the more the things I look at change..."

“The more I change the way I look at things, the more the things I look at change. Wayside gave me the opportunity to explore new approaches to addiction and to deal with the issues that brought me here in the first place. Thank you for all your support.”

"Wayside has taught me you don’t have to fear or run from yourself..."

“Through supports, counselors and the education and guidance provided, Wayside has taught me you don’t have to fear or run from yourself. You can change and get stronger each day. Thank you Wayside.”

"I have always believed I should be kind and be of service to others. Wayside has taught me to be kind to myself..."

“I can’t thank the staff enough for all the care and concern and help they have given me. I love all the staff and appreciate everything they do for me and have done for me. I have always believed I should be kind and be of service to others. Wayside has taught me to be kind to myself.”