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Vanessa West, Executive Director
Vanessa is a Lheidli T’enneh Band member who lives within her community. She is the mother of two wonderful children, Alexandria and John-Michael. Born and raised in Prince George, she graduated and decided to continue her education at the College of New Caledonia in the field of Criminology. For the past eight years, she has worked for her community in the capacity of Treaty Office Manager. From this experience, she gained knowledge of program administration, proposal development, staff management, and communications. Vanessa began working at the Fire Pit in May of 2007, and found her work at the Fire Pit extremely rewarding. She has developed friendships with many of the patrons and looks forward to continuing her work with Positive Living North.
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Sandra St. Peter, Program Support Worker
Sandra is from Fredericton, New Brunswick but has lived in Prince George since 1980. Happily married to her wonderful husband Mike, she has a fabulous daughter who recently gave birth to a wonderful son, Landon. Yes, she is a proud Grandmother!
Sandra has been working in the administration field for over 10 years. Sandra is one of our newest team members, coming to work with PLN December 2009. Sandra is excited to have the opportunity to be a front line worker and to work with our members on a daily basis. Sandra is happy to be part of such a diverse team, who makes everyone feel that they are part of something special. Hearing the stories of our members and the Elders has opened her eyes to a completely different world.
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Sandra Sasaki, Education Services Manager
Sandra is married to her husband Ken, and is a proud mother of three wonderful daughters who have given her seven grandchildren. Over the past fifteen years, Sandra has offered support to families learning to make healthier choices. Sandra has her BA in General Studies, along with her teaching accreditation. As the Education Manager and Scotiabank AIDS Walk for Life coordinator she welcomes any suggestions for programming, workshops or educational activities with our team.
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Cori Keating - Interim Educator
I'm back! I joined Positive Living North again on January 4, 2011 as the Interim Educator and am so happy to be back. You may remember me from 2005/2006 when I worked as the Housing Coordinator for a 6 month contract and at the old Fire Pit on George Street. I’ve worked in HIV/AIDS for the past 15 years. I started at the Needle Exchange - DEYAS in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver then moved to the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre as a HIV/AIDS Outreach Worker. I also work at the Needle Exchange here in Prince George. Although, my work in the field has mostly been around Harm Reduction, Addictions, and the Survival Sex Trade, I feel Education is a natural transition in the fight against HIV/AIDS. If you have any input, comments or suggestions on how I can better grow as an Educator, please let me know.
I look forward to seeing you all around! Give me a call at PLN to set up HIV education for you and your organization!
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Steve Lorenz, Member Services Manager
Steve has been the Member Services Manager, working directly with Members at PLN, since 2004, after completing a practicum and being hired in 2003. Steve regularly counsels and advocates for our Members. He also has been involved with the development and implementation of many different projects, including the Positive Prevention Program. Steve is a strong voice for creating opportunities for those living with HIV/AIDS to participate in a meaningful way in identifying their needs and planning, delivering and evaluating programs and services. He is passionate about developing community partnerships locally, provincially and federally. Steve graduated from UNBC with his BSW in 2002.
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Shannon Froehlich, Positive Prevention Coordinator
Shannon was born and raised in Prince George, though her family originates from Alberta. Her Kokum is from Beaver Lake and her Moosoom is from Kehewin (Elk Point). Shannon is a proud Mom to three wonderful children. Previously employed with the George School District as an Aboriginal Education Worker, she became aware of the marginalization of Aboriginal people. She saw the generational pain in the students and families that she worked with, and knew at that time that she wanted to be a small part of the healing within Aboriginal peoples, not only for the Aboriginal community, but for her own healing as an Aboriginal woman. Shannon is proud to be working for her community, and looks forward to working with the Front Line Warriors Positive Prevention Team!
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Robert Ryan, Interim Fire Pit Manager
A glorious event took place waaay back in November of 1960 in Prince Rupert, at least in the eyes of my mother, when I was born. My family lived in areas around the north, in a small logging camp located between Gitwangak and Gitanyow and at the Cassiar Cannery, on the Skeena River, a small fishing community. The greatest joy for me has been meeting new people and learning of their different cultures, and coming to understand there are more similarities than we think. I was first employed at the Fire Pit from 2007-10, returning in early 2011; there are new and familiar faces there, each of whom I look forward to seeing each day.
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Larry Milley, Fire Pit Nutrition Coordinator
Profile Coming Soon!
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Violet Bozoki, Fire Pit Elder
Violet has been working at the Fire Pit since 2005 and really enjoys her work! As the Elder Support for the Fire Pit, she provides support and advice to the patrons. This includes providing a smudge, facilitating talking circles, as well as providing support to our Education Team as well as the Positive Prevention Frontline Warriors. Violet also offers her support to those affected by and living with the legacy of the residential school system. Violet was born and raised in Shelley (also known as Lheidli T’enneh), has three children, and five grandchildren. Violet also works in the community and sits on a number of different committees, including the Cedar Project. Violet enjoys all of the people she meets, and invites everyone to come and see us at the Fire Pit
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Melanie Monds, On-Site Manager; Smithers
Melanie grew up in Prince George and Calgary and has been living in Smithers since 2000. Melanie recently graduated from North West Community College with a Social Service Worker diploma, and is working on her BSW though the UVIC distance education program.
Prior to becoming a staff member with Positive Living North, she was a volunteer since 2005 with Positive Living North West.
Mel is interested in the positive role of the peer programs that we provide for our members and enjoys working with our members; they inspire her every day.
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Joan Richardson, Prevention/Support Worker; Smithers
Joan started working at Positive Living Northwest Society in December 2006 as the Receptionist/Needle Exchange staff. Joan is really happy to be back doing HIV/HCV work with Positive Living North, and working with awesome co-workers! Joan was born on Haida Gwaii and she is from the Eagle clan. Joan values honesty, sincerity and good will. "I believe there is good in the world. My passion is to help motivate, teach and to inspire."
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Steve Monds, Harm Reduction Support Worker; Smithers
Steve is the Harm Reduction Support Worker, and self-named cook and bottle washer. He does it all, and helps out wherever he is needed! Steve has been doing this work since January 2006 with PLNWest. During the transition period, he stayed involved with the organization as a volunteer. Steve is pleased to be back on with Positive Living North, helping our community heal.
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