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Addictions Recovery Support Team The Whitecrow Village recovery support team is available to mentor and train facilitators from local agencies in developing recovery support meetings in their community that are a fit for persons with FASD. Collectively, the Whitecrow Village team leaders bring a strong understanding of addictions recovery issues – many from personal experience – and of the challenges faced by those with FASD in typical addictions recovery support programs. In addition to their extensive experience in supporting others through addictions recovery processes, individual members of the team hold certification in:
Bruce Price, Pre-BSW (dip) (Program Director) Bruce’s familiarity with addictions’ challenges and lifestyles are both personal and professional. Bruce has been actively involved in the 12 Step Program for 14 years, and has worked extensively in the field of addictions for more than 10 years. He has been involved with Whitecrow Village since 2004, initially as a summer student at L.I.F.E. Sessions and now as a full time Team Leader and facilitator for Whitecrow Village Addictions Recovery Support Programs. Bruce received his counselling certificate from Vancouver Community College in 1995; and holds certification in Grief & Loss, Introductory Mental Health, and Suicide Intervention. In 2006, Bruce achieved his Social Services Pre-BSW Diploma at the College of New Caledonia in Prince George, BC. He plans to complete a BSW degree in future.
Ken Kissinger, FSW, CSW, Aboriginal Educational Assistant (Team Leader) As an adult living with FASD and having been active in his own addictions recovery for over 4 years, Ken provides a unique understanding and mentorship for Whitecrow Village participants and others in the greater community (both those with and those without FASD). Ken has been involved with Whitecrow Village since 2003, and currently serves as a Team Leader and facilitator for both the Addictions Recovery Support Program and the Education Program.
Ken has achieved certification from Camosun College as a Community Support Worker (2006), and as a First Nations’ Family Support Worker (2005). A recipient of many awards for community service including the annual FASD Community Circle Award for improving the lives of people with FASD, Ken is a sought after motivational speaker and presenter on FASD and has honoured invitations to speak throughout BC, Alberta, Manitoba, and the United States.
Colin Ross, Early Intervention Counsellor (VIHA) Colin Ross works with the Vancouver Island Health Authority’s Youth and Family Addiction Services Program. In his work with VIHA, Colin provides counselling services to teens and families living with alcohol and/ or other drug use-related problems and challenges. Whitecrow Village is pleased to have Colin’s involvement in the Addictions Recovery Support Program supported by Vancouver Island Health Authority.
Colin joined the FASD Community Circle in 2002. As a member and, eventually, Chairperson of this Victoria-based FASD advocacy group, Colin has promoted awareness about FASD within the Mental Health and Addictions systems of care through a number of initiatives at regional, national and international levels.
Marcel Gagnon, Substance Abuse Counsellor (Program Advisor) Marcel has been a member of the Whitecrow Village Society Board of Directors since its inception in 2002 and, as such, acts as an administrator and advisor for the development and implementation of the Whitecrow Village Addictions Recovery Support program. Marcel is himself a recovering alcoholic and a person affected by FASD. As such, he has first hand knowledge of the need for a well structured, safe, and supportive environment in which to begin addictions recovery healing processes; especially for those with FASD.
Marcel’s commitment to supporting others through the steps toward addictions’ recovery led him to pursue and achieve certification from the University College of the Fraser Valley in Substance Abuse Counselling in 2000. Marcel currently works as a Counsellor for Residential School issues, and as a Legal Assistant to Jacqueline Levesque, in Prince George, British Columbia. He is also a professional musician and has twice been honoured with nominations for a Juno Award. | |
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