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DO YOU WANT HELP WITH YOUR RECOVERY?



WE CAN MAKE IT HAPPEN



MEET OUR TEAM





Administration and Management 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.



Marc Dube, ccrc



General Manager,
Canadian Certified Recovery Coach



Marc is responsible for managing, overseeing, and providing support to the daily operations of Together We Can. He ensures quality programming, health and safety, department integrity, and the professional development of personnel.



Steve bull



Intake Specialist



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.



Daniel Maceachern



Compliance Manager



Daniel ensures that TWC adheres to all licensing agreements, policies and regulations, and works closely with Health Authorities to ensure programs meet quality of care guidelines.



Sam hall



Operations Manaher



What brings Sam 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.



jody schneberk



Transitional Housing Program Manager



Jody oversees the day-to-day operations of TWC’s supported sober living residences in the Lower Mainland. Having managed this program for the better part of the last 20+ years, Jody has witnessed countless clients successfully achieve their goals by utilizing the Transitional Housing Program and maintaining success thereafter.



Trevor franklin



Vancouver Island Operations Manager



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.



Spencer mcdonald



Intake Supervisor



In Spencer’s role as intake supervisor, 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 Supervisor



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, pcp



Payroll & HR Administrator



Lindsay is a certified Payroll Compliance Professional and is responsible for ensuring all employees at TWC are paid for their hard work. She is also responsible for all administrative HR duties, from writing offers of employment, updating the employee handbook and ensuring all employee files are in compliance with Vancouver Coastal Health.



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. She also supports daily operations and the accounting department.



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 has training in interpersonal communication skills and basic counselling from VCC.



Sonaiya Wilson



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. Sonaiya has completed her certificate, with distinction, in Event Marketing Management at BCIT.



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, and writes various articles about recovery. He also creates visual elements and oversees the technical services 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, pmp, cbap



Business Systems Analyst



With a background in business analysis and solution delivery, Ian works with our management and operations teams to identify and implement technological solutions that support and enhance our ability to deliver quality care to our clientele.



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 Program 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 & Case Management team



Rob hammond, ccac, ICADC, SAP



Reporting Manager



Rob has been with TWC since 2016 and has worked as a Case Management Coordinator and Reporting Counsellor. Recently becoming Reporting Manager, he brings 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.



Alex Lekei, CCAC, ABA-HR



Program Manager



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.



Matt Halldorson



Senior Client Case Worker



Matt takes great pride in his role as Case Worker 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, 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, MCP, RCC



Counsellor



Georgia knows the importance of teamwork & community, she finds it inspiring to watch clients grow and evolve throughout their sessions. Georgia specializes in Trauma therapy and is trained in many different trauma modalities to help clients get the support they need to heal. Georgia’s work in the addiction field over the past ten years led her to attain a master’s in clinical counselling and, ultimately, to the work she does today.



Sarah Shaw Ross, MCP, RCC



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.



Natasha Roop, BSc, MCP, RCC



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.



Chelsea lee, RPC



Counsellor



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



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.



Lee Deem, CCAC



Counsellor



Lee believes that anyone can recover through hard work, connection, and willingness. As a group facilitator and counsellor, Lee works with TWC clients to uncover core values from a strength-based approach.



Jesse Kiss, ccac



Counsellor



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.



Leah jubenville, BSW



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.



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.



Adam Morisson, CIAS II



Counsellor



Adam counsells and facilitates groups at our All My Relations program. He is enrolled in Gabor Mate's approach to psychotherapy "Compassionate Inquiry". He helps facilitate our Family Education Group and manages one of our transitional houses.



kevin sheane, rpc



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.



CLIENT CARE TEAM



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



Program Coordinator
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 ARISEWellness. Being here, he has grown and learned 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.



Walter bailey



Program Coordinator
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.



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.



Doug Wright



Senior Client Care Worker



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.



Parmjot Bains



Intake Client Care Worker



Bio Coming Soon




Nicholas Randell



Senior Client Care 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 Client Care 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.



support Staff



HUSSEIN NATHWANI



Client Care Program Coordinator



The client care team is responsible for a bevy of functions, and Huss relishes motivating and encouraging residents to ensure time spent here is of maximum benefit by assisting residents in meeting their program and non-program needs i.e. medical, legal, health or home visits. One of Huss’ roles is to ascertain guidelines are being followed and Together We Can is a safe all-inclusive space for all to recover.



Mark oliveira



Senior Client Case Worker
Group Facilitator



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.



sam Whately



Client Case Worker
Volunteer Coordinator



Sam’s time at Together We Can has been life changing and has allowed him to reach goals and maximize his potential. His favourite part of Case Management and his work here is watching others being given the same opportunity .



austin apelo-cruz



Client Care Worker



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.



Rene bourassa



Client Care Worker



Rene believes that everyone has a right to recover. No matter where you been, what you have done, or how bad the circumstances may be, it's never too late to reach out for a helping hand.



David Dunham



Client Care Worker



Dave is grateful for the opportunity to help clients build new routines and confidence as they work their way through the TWC recovery program. As a person in recovery, Dave understands the struggles newcomers to recovery can face and the triumphs they gain as they gain sobriety.



RYAN FRANKLIN



Senior Client Care Worker



As Senior Support Worker at Arise, Ryan is responsible for day-to-day client care and operations. He finds his passion when he sees clients change from being at rock bottom to completely turning their life around and becoming successful.



Antonio Guidotti, CSW



Senior Client Care Worker



Antonio finds that assisting individuals in their journey towards sobriety and helping them rebuild their lives is both inspiring and humbling experience.



brad kazakoff



Senior Client Care Worker



Brad is a Senior Support Worker at Arise Wellness 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.



jagjit khalon



Client Care Worker



Bio Coming Soon



Stephen Merson



Intake Client Care Worker



As first point of contact, Stephen hopes to build good rapport with new clients and make their first steps as smooth as possible. He also hopes that his journey of recovery can inspire others of what is possible.



Alvin sharma



Client Care Worker



Bio Coming Soon




Steven Shaw



Senior Client Care Worker



No stranger to recovery, he is happy to work with others as they find their footing.



zachary stringer



Client Care Worker



Zach faced many barriers growing up that ultimately led to his own addiction. After coming to Together We Can and connecting to the community, Zach found his place in the world and considers TWC his long-lost family. Zach approaches his work with clients with care, compassion, concern and understands the vulnerability each person is experiencing.



chris woods



Client Care Coordinator



TWC has been life-changing for Chris as he has worked his way up from a resident to full-time Support Staff. Having a special thing in common with all the clients makes it easier for him to help them, and in return, it helps him too.



Nutrition TEAM



Aliza Camozzi, RSE



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.



Hanna Rakowska,
BHS, RHN, CHCP, RDH



Registered Holistic Nutritionist



Hanna has worked as a nutritionist since 2015, specializing in oncology and chronic pain. She has found working in the addictions and recovery space exceptionally rewarding, being able to support clients in optimizing their health through dietary and nutritional interventions.



Paulo villalobos, RSE



Chef
Elevate



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



With over 20 years of cooking experience in top restaurants and resorts around BC. Crane brings his knowledge and attention to detail to our Solid Ground Program. He firmly believes that quality meals and nutrition are important in our client's path to a meaningful and lasting recovery.



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.



Ladislao Vega



Cook
Main Centre



Ladislao is enthusiastic and ready to serve others! He seeks to prepare food that is lovable by everyone and healthy at the same time! With over 12 years of experience, he makes sure the experience with his meals is unforgettable.



John kenneth villarta



Cook
Main Centre



Bio coming soon.



Bill perisa



Kitchen Support Worker
Main Centre



Bio coming soon.



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





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