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The ACHIEVE Training and Development program is one of three offered by Wendigo Lake Expeditions. Our exceptional team of well-trained and highly motivated frontline staff has been selected from across North America for their skills and commitment to working with youth in an adventure therapy program setting. Our management and clinical teams are composed of highly skilled and experienced staff with well over a hundred years of combined experience working in our program (averaging over ten years each). Our internal expertise is also supplemented by externally contracted professionals who offer clinical supervision, aboriginal culture and healing, chaplaincy, and medical consultation services.
Management Biographies
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Jason Prichard
Supervisor
of Student Services,
Risk Management and Community
Programs
Jason
has extensive experience
in the Adventure Therapy
field. Jason comes from
many years of Summer
Camp management and involvement
iin Adventure based |
initiatives across the country. After completing a degree in Therapeutic Recreation
from Concordia University, Jason began at WLE as an instructor in
2000. After several years, he returned to university and gained
his Bachelor of Education. Upon his return to WLE, he took up the
Student Services role and took a lead role in compiling the WLE
Therapeutic curriculum. Email Jason Prichard.
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Stephen Glass
Executive
Director
(1996-1999, 2000- current)
Previous
positions include: Regional
Director of Northeast
Region, Ministry of Community
and Social Services (1999-2000);
Program Supervisor with
responsibility for oversight |
of Probation Services and a wide range of children's agencies providing child
welfare, youth justice, children's mental health and addiction services
(1990-1996); Coordinator of Community Services, Emmanuel United
Church (1985-1990); Specialized Treatment Home foster parent (1986-1987).
Stephen graduated cum laude from Laurentian University with an Honours
B.A. Political Science in 1985 after being a Residential Counsellor
for L'Arche group homes from 1976 to 1982. Email Stephen Glass.
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Dejan Duric
Program Manager - Residential Services
Dejan began his career in the Ministry of Community & Social Services, Project DARE therapeutic wilderness program in 1988 as an Instructor before moving up to Chief Outdoor Instructor and |
eventually Program Manager in 2000. Dejan directly supervises three Program Supervisors who are each responsible for operating a residential program with seven to eight direct care staff. He graduated from Seneca College as an Outdoor Recreation Technician in 1987. Email Dejan Duric.
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Gail Halford
Manager
of Finance & Support Services (2000 – current)
Previously
employed with the Ministry
of Community & Social Services at Project D.A.R.E. (wilderness therapeutic program for male
youth) program from |
1974 to 2000, Gail has fifteen years experience in senior management with areas of responsibility including Finance,
Food Services, Program Administration,
Information Systems, Stores and Maintenance. Email Gail Halford.
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Russell Becker
Program Coordinator
Russell is the primary contact for more information about the program, bed availability and to initiate a referral. Russell is available to help assist you in making a placement with our program and walking you through the referral process. Email Russell Becker.
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Curtis Cameron
REACH Program Supervisor
Curtis has been with Wendigo Lake Expeditions since the spring of 1994. Curtis spent his first 7 years as a Residential Care Worker working with the youth in custody programs. In 2001 he took on a full time Supervisory role |
working with the Youth in Custody programs. Curtis moved over to the Supervisory position with the Osprey Youth at Risk Program in January of 2006. Curtis is a graduate of Seneca College Outdoor Recreation Technician Program (1986). Curtis has a strong kinship with the out of doors having been introduced to wilderness canoe travel, camping, and cross country skiing at a young age. Curtis is married and the father of two children. Email Curtis Cameron.
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Abigail Matchette, MSW RSW
REACH
Therapist
Abigail has a wide array of residential
treatment and adolescent mental health experience. Coming from
the United States, she obtained her
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B.S.W. (magna cum laude, 2001) from Indiana Wesleyan University in Social and
Addictions Counselling. She has worked in various treatment
centres focusing on wilderness and adventure therapy work,
addictions intervention,
psycho education, and community
and school mental health. Abigail achieved her Masters in
Clinical Social Work with children, youth
and their families from the University
of Michigan. Email Abigail Matchette.
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Chris Lamontagne, MSW, RSW
Project DARE Therapist
Chris Joins the WLE team from the United States. His approach to holistic and sustainable change is as dynamic and eclectic as his background and experience. He holds a B.S. in Kinesiology: Outdoor Education |
(Magna Cum Laude) and a Masters Degree in Social Work from the University of New Hampshire. He has worked in a number of different treatment and advocacy settings focusing on wilderness/adventure therapy, individual clinical and addictions counseling, family therapy, psycho-education, as well as forensic and psychiatric social work serving the needs of at-risk youth and their families. He also holds certifications as an EMT, Wilderness EMT and professional white water raft guide. Chris came into the helping profession after an 18 year career as a professional stage actor. Email Chris Lamontagne.
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Andrew Torrance
Custody Program Supervisor
Andrew began his employment with WLE as a frontline, residential care instructor in 2001. He became the Custody Program Supervisor in 2005. He is a graduate of the Cambrian College outdoor recreation program |
and he comes from a vast summer camp background. Email Andrew Torrance
Our Partners
We contract a handful of external sources to provide additional specialized services including clinical supervision, aboriginal culture and healing, chaplaincy, and medical consultation services. These partners include:
Judy Howitt, MSW, RSW
Clinical Supervisor
Vince Pawis
Aboriginal Healing Elder
Rev. Meg Purdy
Chaplain
Dr. Graham Wood
Consulting Physician
Web Links to Member Organizations
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