Smithers Services Please click on one of the following services for more information: Alcohol and Drug Counseling Mel Basil, the Alcohol and Drug Counsellor provides one-on-one, group, and family support to individuals who are or have been involved with substance abuse. Support includes educational, activity-based, and counselling services. Assistance is geared towards respecting individual needs and providing timely, appropriate, and effective supports to address these. Where necessary, the Alcohol and Drug Counsellor also develops treatment plans and undertakes referrals. Community Action Program for Children CAP-C Emma Loverin, Dze L K'Ant's coordinator for CAP-C, which is a national program that provides local services to improve the health and development of children. CAP-C is one of three national programs of this type; the others are the Canada Prenatal Nutritional Program (CPNP) and Aboriginal Head Start (AHS). These programs are governed by certain guiding principles, focusing on the philosophy of ‘children first’. They are community-based, committed to equity, accessibility, strengthening and supporting families, flexibility, and partnerships. Community Chef Matthew Tomlins, Dze L K'Ant's Community Chef is responsible for cooking meals at our annual events. For our chef, cooking has always been about more than just great food. Their lifelong motivation as a chef is to make people smile and to support food security by providing healthy, nourishing meals to the community members served by the Friendship Centre. Essential Life Skills & Training Coordinator Nika Palmer, the Essential Life Skills & Training Coordinator liaises with high schools, post-secondary institutions, as well as public and private training providers to support culturally safe access for Indigenous learners. They identify and explore funding opportunities, and engage with community organizations and stakeholders to develop and grow the Learning Hub capacity. Family Gatherings Worker Tani Williams coordinates the Family Gatherings program, which is mandated to support families to work with communities of the Bulkley Valley. The program addresses the social determinants of health and wellbeing, and creates opportunities for families to come together, celebrating culture, food, and traditions in a safe and welcoming environment. Health Care Pregnancy Program The goal of the Pregnancy In-reach Program is to support and assist pregnant women that have or currently using substances to assist in harm reduction and the healthiest outcome/quality of life for both mom and baby. This program provides a range of quality services with a focus on connecting the family to community supports and BCAPOP Program members. HIV/AIDS Awareness Program The H.I.V./A.I.D.S Awareness Program delivers non-judgmental services, activities, and information to all people about Sexually Transmitted Diseases (H.I.V. / A.I.D.S. and Hepatitis C) and Sexually Transmitted Infections. The program and its partners focus on increasing awareness of transmission, demystifying experiences, and encouraging testing. Come in to check out what’s going on! ILF Neurofeedback Technician and Clinical Supervisor Mark Larsen provides clinical supervision for the mental health counsellors and supervising the Infra-Low Frequency Neurofeedback program. Mark has a Master’s Degree in Social Work with a Clinical Specialization. He has been a Registered Social Worker in good standing since 1996. Indigenous Housing Support Program Emma Loverin, the Housing Coordinator is responsible for overseeing the Housing Support Program, and ensuring that high quality, culturally safe supports are available to urban Indigenous people who are homeless or at risk of homelessness and wish to increase their housing stability and holistic health. Legal Advocacy Program David Morgan runs the Legal Support Program, which is Poverty Law based. This includes legal problems that result from housing, income or food security. The Legal Support Program provides advocacy, information and referrals for the following Poverty Law Matters: Tenancy, Income Assistance (welfare), Disability, and many more. Click to find out more. Mental Health Outreach Haidi Telles works with the Mental Health Outreach Program which develops and delivers mental health services to individuals, families and groups. Some services offered include counselling, community activities, wellness workshops, education, and treatment referrals. Drop by to see what’s happening today! Mental Health Counsellor Manal Sayed, our Mental Health Councellor's expertise includes a profound understanding of the effects of trauma and oppression on the human mind. She uses different therapeutic modalities, including Neurofeedback, and are honoured to walk the journey with everyone—Indigenous, non-Indigenous, people of colour, or 2SLGTBQ. Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Family Support Worker Elizabeth London runs this program which assists families with the justice system; provides trauma informed counselling to the families of MMIWG; holds workshops with land-based healing techniques, and hosts events to spread awareness about MMIWG. Transportation Program Todd Lace runs the Transportation Program. The Dze L K’ant Friendship Centre in partnership with Northern Development Initiative Trust is pleased to provide a free Transportation program. We aim to reduce barriers to services and supports by providing safe access to transportation for urban Indigenous people who reside in Smithers, Telkwa, Houston and the surrounding area (Regional District). Youth Employment Worker Shelly Wilson is our Youth Employment Worker. Key goals of the program include: connecting youth with learning and employment opportunities in the community, providing regular drop in program activities that include creative, cultural, land based, and food workshops, offering a point of connection for youth to take the first steps towards training and employment opportunities in the community, and providing job shadowing and mentorship to the youth as well as workshops, training, and work experience.
