In 1944, as World War II raged, a young Canadian named Bob moved to Toronto seeking work. He was a chronic alcoholic, desperate and alone. Through a chance encounter with a friend who had found sobriety in the U.S., Bob learned of a new fellowship called Alcoholics Anonymous. He contacted the group in Cleveland, Ohio, and they sent him literature and a list of potential members. Bob reached out to other alcoholics in Toronto, and in June 1944, they gathered in his small apartment above a store on Queen Street. This was the first AA meeting outside the United States. The group grew slowly, meeting in homes and church basements, facing skepticism and anonymity challenges. Yet, their shared experience of hopelessness and recovery forged a powerful bond. By 1945, the Toronto group had helped dozens, and their story inspired AA's expansion to other countries. This meeting proved that the principles of honesty, mutual support, and spiritual awakening were universal, not bound by nationality. Today, AA thrives in over 180 nations, all tracing their lineage to that humble gathering. The lesson for us now: recovery is portable. Wherever we are, we can find or create a community of hope, and our willingness to reach out is the first step to transformation.
Source: GSO Archives and 'AA Comes of Age' histories
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