OUR TEAM

Vera’s passion for helping people recover from substance addiction is fueled by her personal experience with addiction; she is in recovery since June 2011. In her free time Vera is a passionate runner and in 2020 she co-created the Thorpe Running Program; a program that every week brings together volunteers from the Lloydminster running community and Thorpe clients to engage in the sport of running as a way of supporting healthy living in recovery. Vera is also an avid animal lover. She is also strongly committed to supporting clients who present with eating disorders as well as those who identify with less specific, but unhealthy relationships with food.  Vera’s commitment is driven by her struggles with substance abuse and anorexia/bulimia; she has been in recovery since 2011. Vera is certified by the Canadian Addiction Counsellor Certification Federation, and she is currently pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology.

Originally from Calgary, Jason also has his diploma in addiction counselling from Medicine Hat College and diploma in Business Administration through the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).  Jason has previous experience working with vulnerable populations through Fresh Start Recovery Centre in Calgary, South Country Treatment Centre in Lethbridge and ARCHES safe consumption site in Lethbridge. Jason’s passion for the field of addiction began with his own recovery from alcoholism which he began in January 2014. Jason is excited to be back in Lloydminster working with the Thorpe team.  His hobbies include a variety of sports and spending summer weekends at his family cabin.

Kenzie has a passion for learning people’s stories, as well as working with individuals using strengths-based counseling techniques. While not in addiction recovery, they are currently managing Obsessive Compulsive Disorder, which began in their youth. Through their education in addictions counseling and own personal journey in recovering from mental illness, they understand the struggles that those battling substance use disorders often report, such as feelings of shame and guilt, as well as isolation tendencies. Their hope is that in working with those battling the disease of addiction, they are able to utilize their education alongside personal experiences to support those on their recovery journey.

The outward journey to understand this then began to include working on poverty reduction projects overseas, to providing supports to those living with disabilities, to eventually the study of counselling psychology, in addition to her many personal journey’s living in Ashrams, participating in Meditation Retreats, and personal time-outs spent in contemplation. She has a Masters in Counselling Psychology with a focus on Mental Health and Addictions. She has experience working as a counsellor in Palliative Care as well as Addictions. Her professional orientation is strongly influenced by her contemplative, meditative, and yogic leanings, as well as to her connection to the natural world. She believes that addiction is, at its root, a call for love, a call to come ‘home’ within ourselves - to once again feel our inherent connection to life itself.

Joanne’s desire to help others embrace recovery comes from her own journey in recovery and how addiction has impacted family and loved ones. Joanne enjoys spending time with family and her pets, making time to laugh every day, fishing and camping, yoga, singing, and listening to music. Joanne is certified with the Canadian Society of Counselors and Therapists and with the Canadian Addictions Counsellors Certificate Federation.

In 2020, Angie once again joined the staff at Thorpe. When Angie isn't at work you can find her enjoying adventures alongwise her German Shepard, family and friends.

Tim joined Thorpe with over 20 years of experience in construction repair and maintenance. Projects he has worked on include Stoney Trail Bridgework in Calgary, Calgary Zoo Elephant Exhibit and the Lloydminster Servus Sports Centre. Dedicated to the community, Tim is also an active member of the Blackfoot Fire Department.

Glenys has been involved with Thorpe in a variety of capacities since the early 1990s. Her background is in health with an undergraduate degree in nursing and a post-graduate degree in health leadership which is supplemented with several professional coaching certifications. Glenys’ work experience ranges from direct care providers to senior leaders in the public sector. Previously Glenys had provided clinical management to the Thorpe in a variety of roles and is excited to return as their clinical director. An active community member Glenys serves on many volunteer boards including most recently acting as Mental Health Animator for Lloydminster.

In her role as CEO, she works closely with the governing board of directors to set strategic direction, the vision and mission, all the while ensuring there is a client-centered focus on program delivery. We have come a long way over the last 8 years. It is exciting to be able to guide development so that we may offer a community atmosphere to those struggling with addiction. It is truly a privilege to work with a fantastic team of individuals who all play a part in touching the lives of our clients and their families.