Staff

Mari Kozar - Executive Director | m.kozar@portagecrc.com | 204-240-6471

Mari Kozar (she/her) is the Executive Director responsible for the entire team. Mari provides leadership and management of the organization. Mari is in charge of planning and management, community relations/communication, human resources, and financial planning and management for PCRC. With the direction of the board, Mari directs PCRC to be the community initiative that all of the programs make it up to be.

Sherri Walker - Office Administrator | s.walker@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8567

Sherri Walker (she\her) is the Office Administrator for PCRC. Sherri works reception, assists with financial management, and provides administrative support to all staff.

Sadie Wiebe - Community Facilitator | cf@portagecrc.com | 204-240-4043

Sadie (she\her) is the Community Facilitator engages community members and stakeholders in planning and execution of programs/projects, facilitates public education and community activities, supports fundraising and development. Sadie finds and applies for grants to benefit the community.

Rachelle Sissons *Currently on Maternity Leave*- Community Engagement Coordinator | r.roteliuk@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8563

Rachelle Sissons is the Community Engagement Coordinator at the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation. With a passion for creativity and a deep commitment to community, Rachelle thrives in her role. She loves making community connections, empowering citizens, and enhancing the vibrancy of Portage la Prairie.

Tawnee Kowerchuk - Reaching Home Coordinator | t.kowerchuk@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8532

Tawnee Kowerchuk (she/her) is the Reaching Home Coordinator. Reaching Home is a product of the National Housing Strategy to strengthen and support the community. Reaching Home’s purpose is to reduce homelessness and to ensure that every Canadian has affordable housing. Tawnee works with clients based on a comparative model to the coordinated access system.

Alexa Kowerchuk - Wawokiya Coordinator | a.kowerchuk@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8531

Alexa Kowerchuk (she\her) is the Wawokiya Coordinator. Alexa has a background in direct services as she was a Reaching Home Case Manager and a Case Manager at the former Portage Community Shelter. As the Wawokiya Coordinator, Alexa organizes The Wawokiya Table and Wawokiya Support Teams to mobilize and coordinate existing resources across sectors to give individuals/families the support they need so they can prevent and permanently stabilize crisis situations.

Pauline Johnston - Reaching Home Community Auntie | p.johnston@portagecrc.com | 204-240-7272/ 204-240-0036

Pauline Johnston is the Reaching Home Community Auntie. The Community Auntie program is based on the Ask Aunty Program. Pauline provides direct support like identification & banking, health & wellness, education & employment, transportation/accessibility, housing and advocacy for Portage's vulnerable and Indigenous populations. Pauline prioritizes advocacy and community collaboration to best meet the needs of those she serves within the partnership of Reaching Home.

Kimberley Sharp - Reaching Home Intensive Case Manager | k.sharp@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8561

Kimberley Sharp (she/they) is the Housing Intensive Case Manager. Kim provides wrap around supports and find resources to help individuals meet their goals and be successful in sustaining and maintaining their housing.

Angus Campbell - Reaching Home Case Manager | a.campbell@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8562

Angus Campbell is the Reaching Home Case Manager. Angus offers support services and locates resources to assist individuals in achieving their objectives and ensuring their ability to sustain and preserve their housing arrangements.

Braeden Letondre - Reaching Home Case Manager | b.letondre@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8529

Braeden Letondre is the Reaching Home Case Manager. Braeden offers support services and locates resources to assist individuals in achieving their objectives and ensuring their ability to sustain and preserve their housing arrangements.

Jolise Lernowicz - Community Engagement Coordinator | j.lernowicz@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8563

Jolise (she/her) is the interim community engagement coordinator. Jolise has a passion for the community, working with local partners to collaborate and execute community events. Jolise is new to this role and loves finding new ways to connect with others and enhance Portage la Prairie.

Mitch Tilk - PLIP Program Coordinator | plip@portagecrc.com | 204-240-2871

Mitch Tilk (he/him) is the Local Immigration Partnerships (LIP) Program Coordinator. Mitch supports the development of local partnerships and community-based planning around the needs of residents and newcomers. Mitch’s goals are to help make Portage a more welcoming community for everybody.

Abosede Jogunonsinmi - PLIP Cultural Connector | a.jogunosinmi@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8560

Abosede plays a crucial role in supporting newcomers to the community, helping them integrate smoothly and access the resources they need to thrive.

Lauren McKay - PUIPC Indigenous Community Coordinator | l.mckay@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Lauren McKay serves as the PUIPC Indigenous Community Coordinator with the Portage Community Revitalization Corporation. She is dedicated to making strong connections within the Indigenous community, working to enhance cultural understanding and ensure that Indigenous voices are represented and respected within the community.

Randy Lilley - Indigenous Seniors Coordinator | r.lilley@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8568

Randy serves as the Indigenous Seniors Coordinator for the Portage la Prairie Community Revitalization Corporation. In this role, he is committed to supporting the well-being of Indigenous seniors, ensuring they have access to the resources, community connections, and care they need to lead fulfilling lives.

Shaye Lernowicz - Youth Hub Program Coordinator | s.lernowicz@portagecrc.com | 204-240-5830

Shaye Lernowicz (she/her) is the Youth Hub Program Coordinator. Shaye oversees the Youth Hub program providing leadership and management to the Youth Hub team. Shaye coordinates programming makes partnerships with the community stakeholders and ensures the day-to-day operations of the Youth Hub run smoothly. Shaye comes with a Bachelor of Psychology and extensive background working with vulnerable populations including youth in various sectors.

Jacinda Houle - Youth Hub Cultural Support Navigator | j.houle@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Jacinda Houle (she/her) Cultural Support Navigator bridges the gap between our organization and urban indigenous youth by fostering positive relationships, creating cultural awareness, and promoting the inclusion of indigenous perspectives and healing. Jacinda coordinates cultural programming with focus on land-based learning and connecting to your origin.

Nadine Key -Youth Hub Lead Wellness Coach & Youth Counsellor | n.key@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Nadine Key (she/her) is our lead wellness coach & youth counselor. Nadine immigrated from England and holds a Social Work Diploma and over 16 years' experience in an extensive social work background. The Wellness team supports youth in achieving their wellness goals by providing personalized one-on-one counselling sessions, creating tailored wellness plans, and promoting healthy lifestyle changes. Nadine is in charge of intake of clients and managing the referrals both internally and with external agencies.

Rachel Hennan -Youth Hub Wellness Coach & Youth Counsellor | r.hennan@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Rachel Hennan (she/her) is a Youth Hub Wellness Coach & Youth Counsellor. Rachel has a Counselling Diploma and brings passion to assisting youth navigate life's challenges. The Wellness team supports youth in achieving their wellness goals by providing personalized one-on-one counselling sessions, creating tailored wellness plans, and promoting heathy lifestyle changes.

Alicia Kasto - Youth Hub Wellness Coach | a.kasto@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Alicia Kasto (she/her) is a Youth Hub Wellness Coach. Alicia brings over 20 years' experience in the social field. Alicia is driven to providing wellness programming to the youth and connecting through shared life experiences. As part of the wellness team Alicia supports youth in achieving their wellness goals, creating tailored wellness programs and events, and promoting healthy lifestyle changes.

Michelle MacIver - Youth Hub Wellness & Youth Counsellor | m.maciver@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Michelle MacIver (she/her) is a Youth Hub Wellness Coach & Youth Counsellor. Michelle has a background in social work and utilizes a holistic approach to working with youth from a person-centered, trauma informed, strength-based approach meeting youth where they are at in life. Michelle has a special interest in nature-informed, land-based therapy and views nature as a co-therapist. As part of the wellness team, Michelle supports youth by providing personalized one-on-one counselling sessions, co-creating tailored wellness plans that highlight their strengths, and promoting heathy lifestyle changes that align with their individual goals and aspirations.

Olivia Gabriel - Youth Hub Addictions & Cultural Support Navigator | o.gabriel@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Olivia Gabriel (she/her) is the Youth Hub Addictions & Cultural support navigator. Olivia has a diploma in addictions

counselling and service worker, and a background in social services. Olivia works alongside Jacinda to bridge the gaps between our organizations and urban indigenous youth by fostering positive relationships, creating cultural awareness, and promoting the inclusion of indigenous perspectives and healing. Olivia assists with cultural programming with focus on land-based learning and connecting to your origin.

Justine Richardson - Youth Hub Mentor | j.richardson@portagecrc.com | 204-240-8559

Justine Richardson (she/they) is the Youth Mentor at the Youth Hub. Justine will provide guidance, share life experiences, and help youth develop skills, build confidence, and make positive life choices. She acts as a role mode, offering emotional support, listening, and helping them navigate challenges in their personal, academic, and social lives.

Want to speak with someone on the phone? Call us at 204-240-7272 and we can direct your call, or call the direct line of the person you wish to speak to.