Donna Powell - President
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. I was appointed to the Board in Jan 2023 to fill a vacant position and am honored to able to be apart of this great Non-Profit Organization. My role as Director transitioned into Acting President a month ago and I am honored to accept this role.
Work & Educational History
- Graduated Psych nursing diploma Alberta Hospital Ponoka 1983
During my time there I took extra training in addictions including training at Henwood addiction in Edmonton and a placement with AADAC in Edmonton.
- I worked at AHP for 6 years with 2yrs. at the Cottages dual diagnosis 28 day treatment program.
- I moved to Ontario for my husband’s career in 1989 and completed my RN while there since psychiatric nursing was not recognized in Ontario.
During that time, I worked as a support worker in a group home for mentally handicapped persons as well as volunteered at a woman’s shelter.
- Moved to Calgary in 1992 and worked at all 3 hospitals in Calgary in a causal capacity since this was a downsizing time in healthcare, most of my work was at Foothills hospital in out -patient mental health and addictions.
- 1997 I worked at Alberta Mental Health as a counselor.
During this time, I worked for a new program downtown Calgary as the mental health addiction specialist and ran a community group at the Mustard seed using a harm reduction model. Sadly, this program was expensive to run and folded after less than 2 years.
- Worked at sheriff King in a supervisory position for 1 yr. assisted in running a group for males who had abuse charges.
- Ran psycho-educational groups and worked with clients doing one on one counseling in a 4-week specialized program for out-patients experiencing mental health issues
Jeremy MacKenzie - Vice 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.
Sheleigh Hoover - Secretary
After over 16 years working in law enforcement (BC Corrections and a local bylaw officer), I realized my compassion for others was wearing thin, so did what I call an 'about-face' and started my 'life' in the not-for-profit sector, working in management at a local men's shelter and then at a men's residential addiction treatment centre in Calgary. I went on to work at a few local 'for profit' colleges and quickly noted that my heart is in the not-for-profit sector, and not the 'money first, students second' sector.
One of my biggest strengths is in documentation and policy writing, with a knack for being able to read and comprehend documents from different perspectives. This skill has lead me to my current work as an Accreditation Consultant, and so far have brought 2 clients to a 100% success rate on their 'primer' accreditation surveys, with a few more clients on a strong path for success.
When MHSPA (Mental Health Services Protection Act) required all treatment centres in the province to be licensed, I had the honour of getting this treatment centre the first license ever granted.
It is an honor to join the D.S.F.R., I am looking forward to jumping in and offering my experience and expertise where needed.
Sara Yavis - Director
I have spent the last four years working in Corrections where the prevalence of addictions and the significance of community treatment/recovery support has been highlighted.
In my roles I have provided daily support to those in active addiction and various stages of recovery, as well, I have facilitated programs with some focus on substance abuse and work collaboratively within a multidisciplinary team.
I've been looking for a meaningful way to give back and this opportunity felt like the perfect fit as a I recognize and value the impact the D.S.F.R. has on our community.
I am grateful for the opportunity to be considered for a position as a Board Member and it would be an honor to represent and support the D.S.F.R.
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.
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.
Missing from Picture
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.
