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Peer Connections Manitoba is Seeking New Board Members! 

Peer Connections Manitoba (PCM) is accepting applications from students, candidates, or individuals with an interest in supporting the health and well-being of Manitobans, by serving in a voluntary capacity as a Board member (two-year term). The board meets about six times a year. Meetings are held in the evening and generally under two hours in length.  

About Peer Connections Manitoba

As a family-sensitive peer support charitable mental health organization, PCM is dedicated improving the quality of life for those living with mental health challenges through education, peer support and advocacy. We offer a number of services in Winnipeg and around the province. Many of our programs are run by people with lived experience or family members who can relate on a personal level to the experiences of service users. 

About PCM’s Board of Directors

The board exists to provide ongoing support, management and evaluation of PCM’s executive director, and fiduciary oversight and overall stewardship of PCM. 

An ideal board member will be: 

an individual who is at least eighteen (18) years of age and declare that they have been, or currently are, the recipients of mental health services,

or

family members of those who have been, or currently are, the recipients of mental health services,

and

willing to support the goals and objectives of Peer Connections Manitoba

If you or someone you know is interested in this meaningful opportunity, please contact Stephanie Loewen (Board President) at [email protected]

Volunteering with PCM

Currently, we do not have any open volunteer positions. We would love to connect with you as a volunteer once opportunities are available.  

If you are interested in volunteering with us, please fill out the form below so we can best match your volunteer experience with future opportunities!

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    EMERGENCY CONTACT

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    Option to upload and attach documents (resume, cover letter, etc.)

    I understand that a criminal record check, vulnerable sector check, and child abuse registry check may be required.
    I understand references may be required upon request.
    By submitting this form, I agree that all the information I provided is accurate. I understand that submitting this application form does not automatically register me as a volunteer at Peer Connections Manitoba.

    For more information, contact Peer Connections Manitoba 204-786-1616 or email [email protected]

    Get Involved

    Are you interested in becoming a volunteer or learning more about how you can become involved in Peer Connections Manitoba?

    Fill out the form, please.

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    Contact Us
    If you need more information or have questions, please fill out the form so we can contact you as soon as possible.
    Gillian Nattress
    Vice President Peer Connections Manitoba
    Gillian is the Vice President of the Board of Peer Connections Manitoba, who joined the board in March of 2020. Gillian is a Registered Nurse who is part of the management team with Shared Health. She manages the Support Staff and Nurses of the Float Pools at Health Sciences Centre. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and first became involved with the former Manitoba Schizophrenia Society when she worked for the University of Manitoba and brought nursing students to many of MSS educational programs. Gillian has family members living with mental illness and feel passionately about being a part of a culture that normalizes taking care of mental health.
    Alex Sawatsky
    President
    Alex Sawatsky is the Director as well as an Associate Professor with the Faculty of Social Work at Booth University College where he has been teaching for the last 15 years.
    His previous career was in mental health services in the U.S.  He was a member of the board of directors for 6 years with the Manitoba Institute of Registered Social Workers (MIRSW; 2007-2013) and presently a member of the board of directors of the Manitoba College of Social Workers (MCSW).
    As of January 2017, he is newly elected as a member of the board of directors at the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society (MSS) and the acting president of the board of directors for Peer Connections Manitoba at this time.
    In his spare time, he tries to run all the time and on trails as much as possible.  He still thinks it’s a hobby and not an obsession.

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    Florence Keeper
    My name is Florence Keeper, I am from Nelson House, known as Nischawasik Cree Nation. Grew up and attended school there, attended high school in Thompson. Later attended Brandon university. I am a mother of six, 5 sons, one daughter, a grandmother of two wonderful boys and a granddaughter. So, I’ve been busy! We’ve lived in Winnipeg now for 20 years.

    My work experience has always been health delivery. Medical Transportation and Referral Services. WRHA with the Aboriginal Health Service as Discharge Planning Coordinator. I have been involved with Boards as a member in CMHA, Mental Health Community Service, Women’s Crisis Centre in Thompson. I retired in 2014, not my wish but due to health issues. In 2002, a loved one became ill with a mental illness. I found ourselves, meaning the whole family in distress. Not understanding the illness and our new journey began. With supports, resources various hospitals and community programs, we would have not survived. Today, we are in better situation but continue to live with it. When I asked to be member of the MMS board, I was eager as I feel I better understanding and can contribute to support the issue for others. I am proud to say we have provided support to other parents here and in the northern area as we know many people from there. I enjoy talking to people, reading, bead w travelling, explore new things when I can.

    Felica Owadara
    Hi everyone, my name is Felicia Owadara, but my family mostly calls me Felicity, and I am from Nigeria. I like going for a walk, and part of my daily routine is reading a book daily. I love to engage in meaningful conversation to enrich my knowledge.
    Professionally, I worked for a couple of years as a health social worker in the Psychiatric Unit at the Teaching Hospital Ibadan, where I develop an interest in the social integration of mental health service users. I later travelled to the United Kingdom for a master’s degree in social policy and social work research. While I was in the UK, I joined the Kyra women project, an organization that focuses on women’s wellbeing, until I returned to my country.

    I am currently undergoing a doctoral degree program at the Faculty of Social work, University of Manitoba; I am a member of the board of director for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society agency, now referred to as Peer Connection. Joining the organization is relatively novel to me and shaping my experience and knowledge; I am happy to be here and help in a way that I could.

    Stephanie Loewen
    Secretary to the Board of Directors

    Stephanie is the Executive Director of Policy, Programs and Learning for the Manitoba Civil Service Commission. She has been with the Manitoba Government for 12 years, with 10 years spent in mental health, suicide prevention, and addictions policy and oversight. Before government, Stephanie worked as the outreach manager for the Manitoba Schizophrenia Society for six years in both the south and northeastern regions of Manitoba. Since her teenage years, she has had a keen interest in mental health and well-being, playing “therapist” to her friends. Having experienced episodes of debilitating depression and anxiety in her early adulthood, she became well-aware of the inadequacies, gaps and barriers in the healthcare system, as well as in mental health services. Stephanie is a passionate advocate for mental health promotion, destigmatizing mental health and mental illness, and sharing our common and diverse human experiences with compassion, self-love, grace, and humour (wherever possible!) When not working, she loves beating her family in ping pong, tasting and rating Manitoba’s amazing craft beer selections, and listening to podcasts about leadership, self-compassion and bravery.

    Gillian Nattress
    Vice President Peer Connections Manitoba
    Gillian is the Vice President of the Board of Peer Connections Manitoba, who joined the board in March of 2020. Gillian is a Registered Nurse who is part of the management team with Shared Health. She manages the Support Staff and Nurses of the Float Pools at Health Sciences Centre. She has been a nurse for over 20 years and first became involved with the former Manitoba Schizophrenia Society when she worked for the University of Manitoba and brought nursing students to many of MSS educational programs. Gillian has family members living with mental illness and feel passionately about being a part of a culture that normalizes taking care of mental health.
    Best part of my workday; Recruiting future nurses and encouraging the development of best practice standards.
    I love to decorate, cook, and bake, and am very social. I am looking forward to entertaining again sometime soon.

    I am constantly making lists and checking off some accomplishments…makes me feel like I am getting somewhere with my daily tasks!

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