DO YOU WANT HELP WITH YOUR RECOVERY?



WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN



MEET OUR TEAM





administration Team



stacy wilson



Executive Director



Stacy accumulated over 20 years of business management experience before joining Together We Can as intake coordinator and then director of marketing.



karen hogge



Financial Controller



Karen manages the society’s finances and she enjoys making sure that every dollar goes towards providing the best possible care for the men who seek help from TWC.



steve bull



Intake Manager



Steve oversees the intake department and is often the first point of contact for men and their families. He also works closely with companies, insurance providers and unions when they are referring clients.



Marc dube, CCRC



General Manager,
Canadian Certified Recovery Coach



Marc is responsible for managing, overseeing, and providing support to the team of Client Care Coordinators, Support Staff, and Volunteers that he leads for our Auxiliary Programs - Elevate, Solid Ground, and Alliance



daniel maceachern



Operations Manager



Daniel ensures that TWC adheres to all licensing agreements, policies and regulations, oversees the client care department, monitors billing and funding and acts as a mentor to other staff



Trevor Franklin



Operations Manager
Vancouver Island



Trevor is a vital part of the team, in charge of our Vancouver Island operations and overseeing our Sober Living Residences in Victoria, as well as providing enhanced services to our residents, who are alumni of Together We Can, or other treatment centers as part of our network of partnerships.



JODY SCHNEBERK



Transitional Housing Manager



Jody is responsible for the oversight and day-to-day operations of the supported sober living residences in the Lower Mainland. According to him, the best part of his job is having clients successfully achieve their goals by utilizing our transitional housing program and continuing to maintain success thereafter



Spencer mcdonald



Intake Supervisor



In Spencer’s role as intake coordinator, he is often the first point of contact for the client or family member. He is responsible for providing confidential advice, options, education and support to individuals, their families and the community at large.



Scott turner



Intake Coordinator



Scott is an intake coordinator at Together We Can. He takes pride in fulfilling the vital role of connecting struggling men to a solution. He uses this firsthand experience to guide families towards making an educated decision when helping a loved one.



andrea gallant



Accounting Administrator



Andrea works in the accounting department at TWC, where she loves interacting with clients and sharing the gifts of recovery with them.



lindsay mcguire



HR Liason & Payroll



As a part of her duties, Lindsay processes and tenders all employee and volunteer hours for the purposes of compensation. Lindsay tracks and submits background checks for all personnel, and is in charge of overseeing CRC clearances.



sharon saarimaki



Office & AR Administrator



Sharon is responsible for office supplies, inventory, machines, vehicles, furniture, décor, and the procurement of goods and services for the society, as well as the timely collection of all accounts receivable from clients.



steven hall



Community Relations Manager



Coming from a management and sales background, Steven's experience allows him to excel at coordinating, planning and executing his various tasks and handling important issues whenever they arise. He previously worked for the Interior Crisis Line Network and is partially through a Social Service Worker program.



sonaiya wilson



Marketing & Event Coordinator



Sonaiya is responsible for the execution and participation at various events ranging from community festivals to conferences, fundraising gala’s, parades, sports tournaments and staff parties. She also assists with communications, working alongside the marketing team to create social media posts and content for various platforms.



David penny



Digital Communications Coordinator



Currently enrolled in Marketing Management at BCIT, and a background in Diagnostic Computer Repair, Visual Animation and Graphic Design, David is responsible for overseeing the website, print media design, social media management, and creation of our blog. He also creates visual elements and oversees the technical side of our recorded, live and streaming events.



tim saylor



Videographer



Tim, a graduate of UBC, joined Together We Can as an in-house content producer. Bringing Videography and editing skills to the community relations department, Tim helps us to share meaningful narratives and personal stories in an imapctful light.



Ian MArtin



Business Systems Analyst



Bio coming soon



Alex ling



Receptionist



Bio coming soon



Hoda Bicher



Accounting



Hoda works on the accounting team at TWC as a bookkeeper. A lover of volunteering, nature, and cooking Mediterranean foods, Hoda originally hails from Lebanon. She gives back through volunteering with programs that help new comers settle into their new lives in Canada.



don symons



Transitional Housing Support



Don has been working with TWC for over 13 years, providing groceries for our second stage residents. He visits with clients on a weekly basis, and shares his journey of recovery in hopes of inspiring others. Having lost his brother, Don recognizes the severity of addiction, and knew that he had to find a life, free from drugs and alcohol



Jaimes short



Maintenance & Repair Supervisor



Jaimes has been a staple of Together We Can since graduating our program 4 years ago. Jaimes is a firm beleiver that giving back to the community helps him stay sober!



Medical care team



Joel Kailia, MD



General Practitioner



Dr. Joel Kailia has been treating people with chronic pain and addictions for over fifteen years. He believes in an interdisciplinary approach to help his patients learn self-management skills so that they take their health into their own hands. Dr. Kailia has training in psychology, neuroscience, medicine, and interdisciplinary pain management.



Christine fischer, RN



Registered Nurse



Christine’s interest in continued learning as well as passion for mental health, addiction medicine, and recovery has grown. She enjoys the variety in her present nursing career which includes being a Clinical Nursing Instructor, assisting with the computer/online systems development at BC Children's Hospital along with inpatient nursing, and most recently joining the team at Together We Can.



Penny Hyndman, RN



Neurofeedback Practitioner



Penny provides private neurofeedback sessions to reduce the clients’ stress, improve their sleep and regulate their emotions by stabilizing brain functioning. She loves witnessing the personal transformations that are achieved, allowing the men to lead more open, authentic and fulfilling lives.



Mike wilcox



Medical Administrator



Mike is a graduate from the University of Victoria x 2 (BSc Major in Psych and Math, BA Philosophy minor applied ethics). Mike, an avid golfer, cyclist and runner, follows the medical care of every client at TWC from before they come in (intake screening) to after they leave (usually helping a clients after they leave set up doctors appointments with outside doctors).



Amrit Jawanda, BSC



Medical Coordinator



Amrit went to SFU and graduated with a Bachelor's of Science in Molecular Biology and Biochemistry, he has always had a passion for helping others and aspires to become a Doctor one day. The one thing he enjoys most about being Medical Coordinator is meeting clients on their very first day and seeing them progress and grow through their treatment stay so that they can succeed in their future sobriety. He enjoys soccer, hiking, working with his sponsor and sponsees, and being of constant service to others



Counselling team



MAtt Rands, CCAC



Reporting Counsellor



Matt has been working with TWC since 2014, specializing in one-on-one counselling for first-stage clients. He is proficient in helping others work through their trauma and grief while helping them regain their self-worth. Matt enjoys seeing individuals apply themselves and find a healthy new lifestyle.



Rob hammond, ccac, ICADC



Reporting Counsellor & Case Management Coordinator



Rob has been with TWC since 2016 and works as a Case Manager and Counsellor. With long-term sobriety and years of experience in twelve- step recovery, as well as his previous work with recovery facilities in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside, have provided him with a broad skill set for working in the addictions field.



Matt Halldorson



Case Manager



Matt takes great pride in his role as Case Manager within TWC, always going above and beyond for our clients. Matt treats everyone with compassion and guidance, from their arrival to the completion of our treatment program



Courtney nichols, MA, CCC, RCC



Clinical Supervisor



Courtney is the Clinical Supervisor at TWC. Her role includes offering individual sessions to clients addressing their issues related to trauma, anxiety, depression, loss and mood management. Courtney also facilitates a weekly veterans/first responders’ group. She is honoured to witness change and growth in both her supervisees and clients.



Georgia Schindler, MA, RCC



Registered Clinical Counsellor



Having done her clinical practicum at TWC, Georgia learned the importance of teamwork & community, she finds it inspiring to watch clients grow and evolve throughout their sessions. Georgia’s work in the addiction field over the past five years led her to attain a master’s in clinical counselling and ultimately, to the work she does today.



Sarah Shaw Ross, MCP, RCC



Registered Clinical Counsellor



Sarah tailors her individual counselling sessions to each client’s needs. In her twenty years of working with a broad range of clientele, she has developed an ever-growing appreciation for people’s inherent ability to make positive changes in their lives, and the difference that counselling and positive relationships can have on people who are facing multiple barriers to achieving their life goals.



Chelsea lee, RPC



Counsellor & Group Facilitator



Chelsea is dedicated to an empathetic, client-centred approach in supporting her clients in the areas of trauma, addiction, grief and loss, employment and family support counselling. She is proficient in assisting individuals in uncovering and identifying behavioural blocks by exploring and assessing their overall physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellness in the form of one-on-one sessions and group facilitation.



CAROL ANNE TURBITT, B.Psy



Counsellor & Group Facilitator



Carol Anne has been part of the TWC family since 2008. She has extensive experience with pre-treatment crisis situations and works as a counsellor in one-on-one sessions, with couples and families, as well as in group settings. Carol Anne has been active in the recovery community for nearly three decades.



mike cain, ccc



Counsellor & Group Facilitator



Mike is a counsellor and group facilitator who enjoys connecting with clients, as individuals and in the group setting. He believes that his journey through addiction is one of his greatest assets as it allows him a clear understanding of how clients think and act. His background in the Canadian Forces taught him to be accountable and has proved beneficial when it comes to functioning well in a stressful environment.



Jesse Kiss, ccac



Counsellor & Group facilitator



Jesse has worked with TWC as a counsellor since 2010. His primary role is to interact with clients when they first arrive and help them get settled into treatment. He graduated from VCC and has been a CCAC since 2014.



Alex Lekei, CCAC



Counsellor & Group Facilitator



With significant previous experience working in the addiction and treatment industry, Alex brings a plethora of skills and knowledge to the table which allows him to help each person he comes into contact with. An upbeat individual, he delivers passion, care, optimism and wisdom to the table each and every day.



Dwayne Mason, rtc



Counsellor



Dwayne is a Counsellor at Together We Can and has worked with people in addictions for over 24yrs. It was through the volunteer work he did building homes for people in Nicaragua and the Dominican Republic for 7yrs which is when he realized his fulfilment in life could be realized by service to others.



Leah jubenville



Counsellor



Leah completed her practicum with TWC and has continued her work as a counselor. Leah is honored to witness her clients overcome both internal and external challenges. She is a firm believer in the power of storytelling and talk therapy. With a background in Social Work, she brings a well-rounded and flexible approach to the counselling department.



Natasha Roop, BSc, MCP, RCC



Registered Clinical Counsellor



Natasha is an Indigenous/European clinical counsellor who, before completing her practicum at TWC, had over seven years of experience working in addiction. Natasha is an anti-oppressive trauma-focused therapist who tailors individual sessions to fit each client.



CLIENT CARE TEAM



sam hall



Client Care Manager



Sam is the Client Care Manager at Together We Can Main Centre. What brings him the most satisfaction is watching people become leaders, helping them learn how to be of service to the clients, and mentoring staff to live up to their full potential in their current roles. Sam truly believes that working with people recovering from the disease of addiction is his calling.



Bert pasqualotto, CCAC



Program Coordinator
Elevate



After spending 5 years working at a local recovery society, followed by 18 months of graveyard shifts on the DTES, Bert decided to change his situation by enrolling in the Addiction Counselling Program at VCC. Shortly after, he was offered a support position at TWC and his life was positively changed forever. Now he's the Program Coordinator at Elevate, supporting clients in their recovery.



max parfitt



Client Care Supervisor
Solid Ground



What Max loves most about working at TWC is building connections with men in early recovery and watching them heal and grow in a multitude of ways. Being able to share his journey through addiction and recovery helps him deliver a positive message while providing a sense of understanding and compassion for clients



ron autar



Program Coordinator
Alliance



Ron is the Program Coordinator at TWC Alliance. Being here he has been able to grow and learn as a person and someone in recovery. He really likes the one on one connections he gets to build with people and helping them through their journey. He got to experience that we all come from different walks of life but our stories are the same.



Doug Wright



Program Coordinator
Awakenings



Doug is currently working on the Counselling Certificate Program at Vancouver Community College. Doug has found a new way of living in recovery. His favourite part of his current role is giving back by helping others along their journey.



KIERAN SPICE



Client Care Supervisor
Changes



Kieran is about passionate about his work with TWC because someone here showed him the way. TWC gave him an opportunity when he needed it most. Everyone has the potential for success in life and recovery, and they just need that one person to believe in them.



Wade moses



Program Coordinator
All My Relations



By following the seven sacred teachings in all aspects of his life, Wade has a passion for helping others get out of the pit of addiction. Wade finds his inspiration when he sees others who are willing to change, set goals and achieve those goals.



Walter bailey



Client Care Supervisor
All My Relations



Walter’s wealth of knowledge surrounding the 12-steps plays a vital role in his daily interactions with the residents of the All My Relations program. His compassion, empathy, and care are displayed every day in his role as Client Care Supervisor.



Aliza Camozzi



Kitchen Manager/Chef
Main Centre



Aliza has been cooking since 2002 and is red seal trained. She wanted to try something different in the food industry, something that wasn’t the norm. Aliza is glad she made the choice to come to TWC, where she feels the job is very rewarding plus she has found her second family.



Paulo villalobos



Chef
Main Centre



Paulo found his love for cooking 18 years ago, he’s worked in a diverse kitchen environment in Vancouver and his love for food certainly reflects my growing curiosity for flavours and spices. A foundation in organics and whole foods has given Paulo a great understanding of how to nourish the body in a holistic way, not only for himself but for others.



Crane Wilson



Chef
Solid Ground



Crane started volunteering in the kitchens of TWC. Crane is now working full time as a chef at Solid Ground. Here he is able to combine three very important aspects in his life. His love for cooking in a recovery environment while supporting others on their journey to a new life.



Kelly Demsky



Group Facilitator



Kelly started out as an overnight volunteer at InnerVisions. Here he quickly found that he enjoyed helping others. Kelly then went back to school to become a front line worker during his 6 years at Innervisions. He continued his education as an Addiction counsellor at VCC, and then moved onto the Leadership and Team Management through the Justice Institute. Kelly has joined the TWC family with the goal of helping others find their way.



Calen ebbels



Group Facilitator



Calen is a group facilitator where his focus is on the twelve-step model of recovery. He enjoys helping clients develop their continuing care (post-treatment) plans and educating them on different styles of meditation and various self-care practices. Calen’s previous work in a homeless shelter and at a group home for youth gave him valuable experience.



Taylor bonney



Group Facilitator



Taylor's favourite part of his position at TWC is building rapport with clients, and seeing their success. He has a diploma in Social Service Work from CDI College. ​ Taylor’s former life experience gave him the ability to have empathy and understanding for others struggling with addiction.



Vince pirozzi



Counsellor & Group Facilitator



Vince Pirozzi has been a group facilitator and counsellor at TWC since 2015. He loves the profound connections he forms with the clients and witnessing their transformations. Being in long-term recovery himself, Vince is a living example of the amazing possibilities of recovery.



Kevin sheane



Counsellor



Kevin Sheane is a man who strives to show compassion and empathy to anyone that he comes into contact with. Kevin’s own battle with addiction has afforded him the unique ability of being able to connect with and support others who may be struggling.



Doug snow



Intake Services Worker



Doug is one of our Intake Services Workers, and is often one of the first people to meet new residents and introduce them to their new life in recovery. Doug enjoys supporting clients who are new to the program and gets a great deal of joy through seeing recovery in progress.



Jay zanki



Intake Services Worker



Jay is one of our Intake Services Workers, and prides himself on being able to welcome and support new residents to Together We Can as they begin their journey of recovery. Jay's caring, positive attitude is seen and felt by everyone he comes in contact with.



Nicholas Randell



Senior Support Worker



Nick particularly enjoys connecting with the clients who are fresh in recovery and witnessing them get back on their feet and resume control of their life. Nick has a background working in the Alberta oilsands and throughout his career worked with many troubled men; even before starting a career in the recovery industry, he had learned to connect and relate to men from all walks of life.



Julian harmel



Senior Support Worker



Julian is a Senior Support Staff member at the Together We Can Main Centre. His duties include medication dispensation, conducting progress reports, monitoring behaviour, checking in with clients and leading the junior staff on his shift. Julian is a keen musician and leads a Music Therapy group every Friday.



arnel juntado



Cook
Main Centre



Cooking has always been a passion for Arnel. Starting his professional career 13 years ago, by working at various restaurants and hotel. Working at TWC is a whole new experience, cooking different types of cuisines and interacting with the clients gives his profession a sense of purpose.



Caitlin richards



Cook
Main Centre



Bio coming soon.



Ladi Vega



Cook
Main Centre



Bio coming soon.



jon webb



Cook
Main Centre



Bio coming soon.



Support Staff



austin apelo-cruz



Support Staff



Austin thoroughly enjoys seeing the success of clients when they leave with a foundation of recovery. Austin feels there is no feeling of the fulfillment of giving back and helping others.



Justin bournon



Support Staff



Justin is one of our support staff at the Awakenings program. Justin works hard at his recovery and enjoys guiding the newcomers along their journey.



RYAN FRANKLIN



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




Antonio Guidotti



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




brad kazakoff



Support Staff



Brad is a Senior Support Worker at Solid Ground and manages our Sober Living Residence, Oceanside. He is a strong believer in helping new residents by showing compassion, empathy and understanding. Brad is an avid long-distance runner and is the proud owner of two dogs.



Adam Morrison



Support Staff



Adam enjoys support work, working with the Maintence team, and co-managing a 1.5 stage house. In school with NVIT to learn how to best help others, in need of support.


HUSSEIN NATHWANI



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




Mark oliveira



Support Staff



Once he completed treatment at TWC in 2012, Mark volunteered in the kitchen which led to him becoming the kitchen manager at TWC centre for three years, he now works in a support role, directly with residents.



Lyle Piller



Support Staff



As a previous client, Lyle saw the need to help others new in recovery. Sharing his life experience, Lyle loves to talk with newer clients and show them that there is a better life ahead.



Steven Shaw



Support Staff



Steven is one of the support staff at the Awakenings program. No stranger to recovery, he is happy to work with others as they find their footing.



zachary stringer



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




sam Whately



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




Jared Wigle



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




chris woods



Support Staff



Bio coming soon




2831 Kingsway, Vancouver, bc, v5r 5h9
604-451-9854 tollfree 1-888-940-9854





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