SASKATOON & DISTRICT CENTRAL OFFICE (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS)

SASKATOON & DISTRICT CENTRAL OFFICE (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS) is a Canadian nonprofit organization that serves as a central service office for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) groups in the Saskatoon region of Saskatchewan, Canada. The organization operates under the business registration number 107956914RR0001.

Background

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a worldwide fellowship founded to help individuals struggling with alcoholism achieve and maintain sobriety through mutual support and the 12-step program. In Canada, AA groups have a long history dating back to the mid-1940s, with the first meetings in Hamilton and other cities following shortly after the founding of AA in the United States.

Role and Activities

The Saskatoon & District Central Office acts as a coordinating body for AA meetings and services in the Saskatoon area. It provides support for local AA groups by facilitating communication, maintaining literature and resources, and assisting in outreach efforts. As part of the broader Alcoholics Anonymous Saskatchewan (Area 91), the office contributes to provincial initiatives such as archival preservation and public awareness to ensure the continuity and accessibility of AA's heritage and message.

The organization supports AA's core mission to carry the message of recovery to alcoholics who still suffer, emphasizing anonymity, mutual aid, and community involvement. It helps organize events, workshops, and informational displays, collaborating with other AA service entities within Saskatchewan to broaden the reach and impact of AA in the region.

Archival and Community Engagement

The Saskatoon office is connected to the broader archival efforts of Alcoholics Anonymous in Saskatchewan (Area 91), where records and historical materials are preserved and shared to strengthen member gratitude and understanding of AA’s growth and influence in the province. These archives serve to document the evolving story of AA in Saskatchewan and support education and outreach activities.

Historical Context in Saskatchewan

Alcoholics Anonymous has been active in Saskatchewan since at least the early 1950s, with notable contributions such as the Nor-Kel group at the Saskatchewan Penitentiary, which was a pioneering correctional facility AA group established in 1950. This history underscores the long-standing commitment of AA in Saskatchewan to provide support not only in community settings but also in institutional environments.

Summary

SASKATOON & DISTRICT CENTRAL OFFICE (ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS) plays a vital role in supporting AA groups in Saskatoon and surrounding areas by providing centralized services, literature, and coordination. It is part of the larger AA network in Saskatchewan, dedicated to carrying the recovery message to those affected by alcoholism within the province.[3][4][5]

[1] https://silkworth.net/alcoholics-anonymous/chapter-6-groups-in-canada-how-they-started-and-how-they-grew/ [2] https://www.aa.org/aa-timeline [3] https://aasask.org/archives/ [4] https://aasask.org [5] http://www.area68district2.org/history-of-aa-in-correctional-facilities.html