Tonya Evans (Co-founder)

Wellness Coach; Peer Specialist

Tonya Evans is a peer specialist, wellness coach, and harm reduction advocate based in Guelph, Ontario. She is the co-founder of Reclaim Collective and has worked as a Peer Navigator with CMHA Waterloo Wellington since 2017, supporting individuals through one-on-one peer work, groups, and community outreach. Tonya co-facilitates the Substance Use Health Network Community of Practice and has been active in national conversations on safer supply, peer leadership, and system change. Her advocacy includes organizing Overdose Awareness Day events, co-hosting harm reduction webinars, and contributing to research and reports such as Improving Hospital Experiences for People Who Use Drugs. Drawing from her own lived experiences, Tonya is committed to challenging stigma and creating compassionate, responsive systems for people who use drugs.

Work Experience

    • Peer Navigator, CMHA Waterloo Wellington
      (2017–Present)
        • Peer Navigator on FACTT-(Flexible Assertive Comunity Treatment Team)
      •  
        • Group Facilitation (Walking group, Breathing with the Body, The Tools, Connection Reflection, Just Breathe, Stepping out of the Circle of 12 steps)

        • One to One Peer Support

        • Community Event Planning
      •  
        • Team Trainings & Learnings

    • Board Member, Ontario Network of People Who Use Drugs (ONPUD)
      (2023-2024)

    • Peer Specialist, Consumption Treatment Services (CTS), Guelph
      (2017–2018)

    • Contributor/Member, National Safer Supply Community of Practice (NSS-COP) (2020-Present)

    • Fitness & Wellness Advocate 
      – Over 10 years as a CrossFit coach and fitness trainer, building her own fitness business

Lived Expertise

    • Substance Use & Mental Health Advocate
      Personal experience with houselessness, PTSD/mental health, substance use, and interactions with stigmatizing systems (Family & Children’s Services, legal system, financial assistance programs), detox centers, treatment centers

Projects & Advocacy Work

    • Harm Reduction 101 – 3-Part Webinar Series in collaboration with CAPUD (Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs)

    • Harm Reduction 101 – 4-Part webinar series for City Bi-Law

    • The Importance of Language Presentation – CMHAWW AllStaff 2023

    • The Importance of Peers – Collaborated with Guy Felicella BCSSU

    • What is Peer Support? – Training for the University of Waterloo BSW Students

    • National Safer Supply COP – Working Group – Diversion/UDS (Urine Drug Screens)

    • Peer Advisory Committee – Wellington Guelph Drug Strategy

    • Multi-Disciplinary Toxic and Opioid Drug Symposium – Panelist