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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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Gail Brawn, Administrative Services Manager
Gail was the first person hired by PLN’s original Executive Director, Olive Godwin, and she’s watched the agency blossom since 1995. The sharing, support, and sense of community she’s experienced at PLN have profoundly affected her life, and it’s hard for her to imagine working anywhere else. Gail is continually inspired by the people who come to PLN for service, by her co-workers, and by fellow agencies in the HIV/AIDS movement. Gail looks forward to the challenging journey ahead for PLN, when we transform our dreams and visions into a future with holistic healing accessible to all.
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Sandra St. Peter, Administrative Support
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 eight 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. Sandra has worked in the remote communities of Yekooche and Takla as a Child and Family Service worker for CSFS. Previously, she worked as the Outreach Coordinator for Northern Family Health Society. Sandra is enjoying her new role as Education Manager and welcomes any suggestions for programming, workshops or educational activities with your team.
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Amanda Fitzsimmons, Educator
Amanda is of Métis decent, with her family originating from Saskatchewan. Growing up in a single parent family made Amanda aware of the struggles and hardships faced by many. Through her struggles, she realized how wonderful the simple things in life are, and also developed a passion for helping and supporting others. Amanda is currently working towards her BSW at CNC and hopes to obtain her Masters.
Amanda spent three years living in Fort Nelson,working as the HIV/AIDS Educator and Outreach Worker, providing educational services on and off-reserve to the community of Fort Nelson and the surrounding areas. Amanda really enjoyed her work there and found it to be an extremely rewarding experience seeing people's spirits lift, and watching people living healthier and happier lives.
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Steve Lorenz, Member Services Manager (On Leave)
Steve has been the Member Services Manager, working directly with Members at PLN, since 2004. 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, Interim Member Services Manager
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 loves her job as the Interim Member Services Manager.
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Henry Morgan, Interim Prevention/Support Worker
Henry is from the Gitxsan Nation, a small community called Kispiox. Henry has been working with the homeless in Prince George since 1999 alongside Ketso Yoh of the Prince George Native Friendship Center and other community organizations. Working alongside these agencies, Henry found strength and hope to strive. This experience has encouraged him to continue with his education for a BSW degree. Henry grew up in a community where poverty and homelessness are prominent. Henry has faced culture shock, something we all face when moving into larger communities and away from our families, Elders and friends, and looks foward to creating change for those with similar experiences.
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Veronica Haddon, Positive Preventin Coordinator
Veronica is a member of Tataskweyak Cree Nation of Split Lake, Manitoba through her biological father’s side. Her maternal grandmother is Anishnabe, from the Morriseau family of the Red Rock Indian Band in Ontario. Veronica and her four children moved to Prince George 6 years ago from Vancouver Island so she could complete her BA in First Nations Studies & Anthropology.
Veronica has lived in many areas of Canada including: Nunavut, Alberta, Montreal, Vancouver Island & Prince George. She has participated in two Human Rights delegations to Guatemala as a student, teacher assistant & translator. Her work history is varied and includes Aboriginal Education Assistant for several school districts in B.C. & Alberta, Research Assistant & Teacher Assistant at UNBC, Consultant & Researcher for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, along with many volunteer positions with different boards in Prince George.
Veronica is humbled & honoured to be working with the members & staff of Positive Living North as the Positive Prevention Coordinator! Please contact Veronica if you would like our group to provide a unique presentation on living with HIV/AIDS/HCV from their perspective!
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Rebecca Boyd, Fire Pit Manager
Originally from Vancouver, Becky has been living in Prince George for 16 years.
Previously employed as a Human Resources professional, she found herself at Positive Living North through divine intervention. Coming to PLN in March of 2008 as the Administrative Support Worker, she found that in working on a daily basis with our Members, her passion for those living with HIV/AIDS grew, and she found herself wanting less to deal with paperwork and instead wanting to work the front lines. Provided with the opportunity to work at the Fire Pit, she leaped and never looked back!
Becky enjoys her work at the Fire Pit - hearing stories told, traditions passed down - and has learned valuable life lessons from those who are struggling to meet their basic needs for food and shelter. The lens through which she looks at life has been altered. She has developed friendships with many of our members and patrons and looks forward to continuing her work and personal growth.
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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, and getting to know everyone who comes to the Fire Pit. 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, Interim 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, Interim 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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Bev Busby, Educator; Smithers
Bev is the Educator for PLN in the "northern" region (Smithers, Hazelton, and Houston). and has worked in this capacity since 2006, with a six month break in the middle! Her background is in pregnancy outreach and mental health and addictions. Bev finds that these fields tie in well with HIV/HCV work and she often uses counseling skills in one-on-one situations. Bev's guiding principle in any work that she does is that everyone deserves safety in their home and in their community. She's had a lot of fun so far and continues to meet amazing people in all her travels throughout the communities. Bev has lived in the Hazelton area for over 20 years and she is married with 2 teenage kids and 22 sled dogs!
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