Calvin Russell - President
I am a long-standing resident of the community where I literally put my roots down as a Grain Farmer and am raising a family of 4 young ladies with my beautiful wife. Like all of us, I have encountered my own challenges, as an Alumni have had the opportunity to engage with past members of the Grace House and how it had an impact on myself! I have humbly built my own toolbox of empathy, compassion and understanding to make an impact on those who need a safe place to find there way as they integrate back into society. I will bring honesty and respect but most of all to put the ones that are there ahead of myself.
Jeremy MacKenzie - Vice President (Acting President)
I've been a Drumheller resident since 2016 and a local small business owner since 2017. I see a great organization that I believe I can contribute to in a positive way. Over 13 years sober myself, I believe I can provide a common sense, logical and thoughtful means of input with clear communication. My biggest interest is in seeing a successful, community-based program of sobriety.
Cindy Schuiling - Treasurer
I feel my largest asset to this Board is my no-nonsense attitude and my network of people within the Drumheller Community who I am happy to draw from to assist the Grace House. My roles as an Office Manager for a mid size Oil and Gas Company and additionally my position as Career Counsellor assisting clients from all walks of life including those with Addictions will help in giving the Grace House sound advise and directions to move forward.
Tracy Symowoniuk - Secretary
I grew up in the valley, am very well known, this has always been a strength as well as my organizational skills including my problem-solving capabilities. I am a former business owner, brick and mortar as well as online businesses. My past work experience has brought me in contact with the men of the Grace House for resume creation and job search. I have the time and positive mindset to help the Grace House move forward…Transferrable Skills are key!!
Travis Mattson - Director
I'm an Alumni of the Grace House with 2 plus years Sobriety. Before coming to Grace House and the Drumheller area, I lived in Lethbridge where I worked at Streets Alive, a Christian Street Mission. While there I was a Supervisor and an Outreach Worker. I’m very active in the Grace House, I'm there 2-3 times a week giving back and showing newcomers that we do recover and it is within their reach. I enjoy sharing the message within the community of the Grace House.
Donna Powell - Director
My husband and I have recently moved to the valley and plan on living out our retirement years here. I am presently retired from a career working in mental health and addictions. I have personal as well as professional experience in 12 step recovery and welcome this opportunity to make a contribution to my community.
Dale Molyneux – Director
Drumheller has been my home for my entire life. I am currently enjoying retirement years. I was fortunate to be elected on the Board and look forward to being apart of the team. I believe strongly in the mission and vision of the Grace House, and I am excited to have the opportunity to bring that mission and vision to life for the benefit of the clients and community.
Brett Litwin – Director
I know the dark world of addiction firsthand. I moved to Drumheller in 2012 from Hanna, AB. I struggled with addiction to drugs and alcohol and in April of 2019, I hit rock bottom and took the dive in recovery. Grace House was an integral part of my early recovery. The house meetings, and the feeling of getting to share my story with the men in the program got me through those first few hard months. I started the Badlands Pride Association in Drumheller with other local individuals. I have always been someone who wants to help the helpless, advocating for anyone who can’t for themselves because they know how it feels to be without a voice. In my off- time I love caring for my many animals on the farm. I also enjoy doing drag as the character “Roxxie Cotton”, a name I chose as a nod to my past.
Verina Stavin - Director
It is my hope that I can use my lifetime of experiences and skills to serve my adopted town of Drumheller, and one of my all-time favourite non-profit organizations, the Drumheller Society for Recovery. During my four-and-a-half years here, the Grace House has helped me out numerous times. Still to this day, the Odd Job Squad is my go-to for many types of services. I have had the pleasure of Board involvement including Executive levels in past years, Vice Chair of the Family Violence Counselling for Men Society in Victoria, Chair of Fundraising and a Member of a Marketing Committee. My organizations strengths are strong, I organized successful events such: Globe ’90 and Globe ’92 in Vancouver, and ConExpo ’93 in Las Vegas, and two international Conferences with delegates from a total of 23 countries.
I am a product of a dysfunctional family with several alcoholics among my relatives (including father and brother). We produced other addicts, too. Two suicides by loved ones were extremely heartbreaking, as was the accidental overdose of another. I will participate as best I can to keep the Grace House Board performing the primary goal of supporting clients. I want to make a difference. Recovery is job #1.
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Lyn Langstaff - Director
I have had a lifetime of interacting with people with all kinds of addictions, mental illness and physical disabilities through my role in Management and Program Management for D.A.R.T.S.. I bring a portfolio of education and experience in behaviours expectations goal setting and hands on experience. Addiction has affected my family and I went to Alonon and addictions counseling to help support me to understand them. I’m very creative, an out of the box thinker and a team player. I look for strengths in people not weakness. We all have something to give.
