• History
• Core Values
• Leadership Team
• Strategic Goals
• Board Of Directors
• Government Funding
• Affiliations

LEADERSHIP TEAM

The strength of any organization comes from its people. A key factor in our ability to deliver high-quality, caring, and effective services to youth is the staff working with them each and every day. We are proud of our staff members and their dedication to our work.

Skills Link Program

Julio has over 18 years of experience working with social services with a focus on at-risk youth. He started as an employment counsellor and successfully developed his career to become the Program Director of G.H.Y.S. He is also a Director on the ASPECT Board. His favourite quote by Carl Jung is, "If there is anything that we wish to change in the child, we should first examine it and see whether it is not something that could better be changed in ourselves." Over his social service career, Julio has been active in various capacities with several professional organizations, including Covenant House, Open Learning Agency, Boys & Girls Clubs, and Building Opportunities with Business (BOB).

With his extensive and diverse work experience in social services, Darrick enjoys his role as the Employment Counsellor team lead at G.H.Y.S. Darrick has experience as a life skills worker for adults and children with mental health diagnosis; as a child care worker for youth in foster care; as an outreach worker in the downtown core of Vancouver and has also been a Safe School Liaison for the Surrey School Board. Darrick is also involved with Covenant House Vancouver doing youth work and shift supervision. His two favourite things about Youth S.E.A.R.Ch. are empowering youth and using a strength-based approach to build on their skills and self esteem. Outside of work, Darrick likes to spend time with his wife and two kids. He also likes to keep active playing baseball and going for hikes.

Bobbi is a graduate of the Youth Justice Worker program at Douglas College, and is currently taking courses to obtain her BA in criminology. She has been involved in restorative justice for the last 4 years and is a volunteer coordinator for the Alternatives to Violence Project that currently runs in the community and two federal institutions. Bobbi has been working with youth for 10 years in a volunteer position with the Canadian Cadet Organization, as well as working with youth in restorative justice in Prince George at the Urban Aboriginal Justice Society. When not going to school or working Bobbi enjoys singing, the beach and the gorgeous sunshine!!

Georgia has worked within Gordon Neighbourhood House since 2007, starting out in the elementary Out-of-School-Care Program and transferring her skills to G.H.Y.S in December 2010. She loves working in non-profit and learning all the ways that our community is endlessly intertwined. Her hope is that our generation of youth will contribute back to society in a positive way. Having obtained her B.A. in English Literature from UBC, she has a passion for communication and written arts. A west coaster born and raised, Georgia enjoys taking advantage from everything Vancouver has to offer – from the mountains to the ocean and everything in between.

Pauline joined G.H.Y.S. in 2010 as a Job Developer. With background in commerce and a degree in Tourism and Hospitality Management, Pauline brings her previous corporate experience and business acumen to her work as well as an edge which contrasts and yet complements non-profit practices for running an organization. Pauline wears multiple hats at G.H.Y.S. and when she is not focused on job development for the youth she mixes her time and energy in both initiatives that are aligned to G.H.Y.S. strategic vision as well as tactical activities that aim to better prepare the organization for growth and internal/external capabilities.

Danielle has been working within the Neighbourhood Houses for the past 18 years. She believes that she cannot change the entire world by herself, but strongly believes in the ripple effect. This is why she has chosen to focus on making a change in her own community — giving her a sense of meaning! Her favourite quote is, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle" by Philo of Alexandria.

Community Assistance Program

Upon completing her Bachelor of Social Work degree at the University of British Columbia Okanagan in Kelowna, Jenelle worked as an outreach worker and community navigator. These positions allowed her to gain experience about what she is passionate about: to support and assist individuals experiencing homelessness, mental health issues, physical disabilities and/or addictions. In 2009, Jenelle had the opportunity to move to the "big city" of Vancouver. She now enjoys working at G.H.Y.S. with youth, exploring the city with her pug and travelling.

Moving Forward Community Assistance Program in North Vancouver

Dawn has assisted adults through life transitions for over 16 years. Her individual and group counselling experience includes Moving Forward CAP and Women in Focus Bridging Program on the North Shore, as well as Employment Counselling at Student Services at UBC and the North Shore Employment Resource Centre. Dawn completed a Masters in Counselling Psychology at UBC and most recently EMDR Level 2 training. In her recreating time, Dawn loves to hike the North Shore trails, relax with yoga, travel, and is currently learning Spanish.

Val has been with the Moving Forward CAP Program on the North Shore for the past 4 years. Before that she was with the Women in Focus Bridging Program. She has a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology and over 25 years of experience. Val has had a private practice for years yet she finds working with an agency fulfills her need for teamwork and community connection. Val is greatly inspired by the work of Virgina Satire (Psychologist) and tries to follow Satire's belief that the bottom line to successfully helping a client heal is, "you just have to love them." In her spare time, Val likes to facilitate workshops, sing, ballroom dance and attend LGTB/Queer community events.