Tia is a Vancouver Island local with a diploma from the Community, Family, and Child Studies program at Camosun. She comes to us with a background working with at-risk youth and has committed herself to advocating for positive mental well-being using a strengths-based approach. Tia is excited to continue supporting her community and connecting with others along their mental health journey.

I’m Jocelyn! I am a compassionate and dedicated support worker with extensive experiencing working with vulnerable adults. I bring a unique perspective to this role as I have lived experience which has allowed me to become skilled in assessing the needs of others and providing high quality care and support. I am so grateful for the opportunity to work at Connections Place and be able to make a difference in peoples lives.

Scarlett is happy to be back near the ocean after being landlocked in Alberta for too long.  She took the opportunity to jump back into school to learn how to help others even more. Scarlett believes strongly in the healing and empowerment of community, and through her past with supporting others with illness and those experiencing homelessness she is excited to keep helping others in new ways.

Gavin hails from the Maritimes. He comes from a background working with adults and youth with disabilities.  Gavin strives to create a space where everyone is welcome and a part of the team. He is an avid photographer, hiker and poet.

Ivy came to us as a practicum student from Camosun College’s Mental Health & Addictions Program this past spring and has since been hired as Connections Places’ first ever casual employee. She is passionate about supporting individuals in their recovery by focusing on their personal strengths and interests!

Mike comes to us from Pathways Clubhouse in Vancouver (Richmond), where he has been a member for the past 10 years.  Mike has worked side-by-side with the Executive Director at Pathways, Dave MacDonald, during his time at Pathways.  He has gained a wealth of knowledge about the Clubhouse model, through conferences, Colleague training, and now as a member of the International Faculty for Clubhouse Development.  Mike loves the Clubhouse model, and through his own lived experience has a real heart for people living with mental illness.

Please feel free to reach out to Mike at his email [email protected] if you have any questions or thoughts for him.

Hi, I’m Neelam! I’ve worked in mental health for many years now, and through my lived experience with mental illness, I bring forth passion and joy for supporting others. I believe in the power of healing through connection and using humor to add lightness. Honoring relationships is the core part of my approach in life, through family, friends, my partner, work, and even those I have yet to meet!

Growing up as a South Asian woman has greatly informed my lens in life. I’m strongly connected to the Punjabi language, food, music, and approaches to health, and have much more I have yet to process and also explore. I love to stay active, to read, and learn knew skills and ways of thinking. The Clubhouse model has opened so many doors for me in my personal and professional domains, and I look forward to many more years in this area of mental health.

Leah has volunteered in the social services sector for almost thirty years. When COVID hit, she decided to take the plunge and go back to school to pursue her dream of giving back professionally. While enrolled in Camosun’s Mental Health and Addictions program, Leah was introduced to Connections Place through a practicum placement. The vision and values of the clubhouse were a natural fit for her and when an opportunity to join the team as part of an outreach pilot program came along, Leah excitedly jumped on board.