The experience of our staff and their development is vitally important to the program:
Each of our program staff has had personal experience with addiction, followed by extensive sobriety and clean time, which enables them to empathize with the residents.
They have had formal education and training, which enables them to assist the residents in understanding substance abuse behaviour and its consequences.
Our senior clinical staff members are Certified Drug and Alcohol Counsellors
Miranda Vecchio
Executive Director
Miranda became the Executive Director in January of 2015. Prior to that, she did some contract fundraising for Charlford House after several years of volunteering on the Board of Directors and sitting on a number of committees.
Prior to her new role, Miranda was the Executive Assistant of a local business organization for over 12 years and before that, was self-employed for over a decade.
Stacie Yarrow
Program Director
Stacie has been with Charlford House since 2018. She has over 15 years of experience working with women recovering from substance misuse and a variety of concurrent disorders. Stacie graduated Charlford House herself in 2008. Her lived experience, together with education and a great deal of patience and compassion, makes her a great leader.
She was promoted to Program Director in 2023 and has incorporated various new programs and services. Her passion for Charlford House will continue to serve women in the community with the highest quality of client care.
Jessica Boatman
Residential Counsellor
Jessica is one of our addictions counsellors and has been with us for several years. When she was first on the team she served the women at our second stage and sober living facility, but is now full time at our primary care program and manages the second stage facility. Jessica has a background in counselling and social services, and is an alumni with lived experience. Jessica is passionate about helping women reach their full potential and get their lives and family back.
Claudette Samson
With lived experience in addiction, I have developed a deep passion for supporting women on their journey to recovery. My personal experiences have fueled my commitment to empowering women through compassionate guidance, offering both understanding and hope. I believe in the transformative power of not only emotional and spiritual healing but also in the importance of physical well-being. I incorporate healthy food and balanced nutrition into recovery plans, advocating for a holistic approach that nurtures the body as much as the mind. My goal is to help women rediscover their strength and embrace a healthier, more fulfilling life.
Emily Droege,
Caseworker/ Counsellor
With over five years of experience in mental health and recovery, Emily is committed to supporting woman in their journey of self-discovery, helping them explore their passions and strengths to achieve their personal goals. Her professional journey has been shaped by both extensive hands-on experience and the valuable lessons I have learned through my own path in recovery. Having worked in residential women’s recovery, I am dedicated to offering support to women who seek guidance and empowerment. My education and personal experiences have further enhanced my ability to give back to others, just as I was once supported in my own journey.
Michelle Reaume
Program Office Assistant
Michelle brings a lived experience with addiction to her new career at Charlford House. She loves how being Program Office Assistant gives her the opportunity to be a part of the house and to be a part of such a dynamic team. She is proud to be in a group of women working to support other women in recovery. Michelle never thought she would have a second career after recovery. As Program Office Assistant, she uses skills from her previous career path, working with internal databases. She is very excited to be part of developing this new position for Charlford House.
Affiliates
Charlford House also relies on the amazing work of these contracted and volunteer affiliates:
Rebecca Barr
Music Therapist
Rebecca Barr, SEAc, BMT, MTA started music therapy work at Charlford House as a student in 2014. After graduating from Capilano with a Bachelor’s in Music therapy in 2016, she became a certified music therapist through the Canadian Association of Music Therapy and now runs weekly group and individual music therapy sessions at Charlford House.
She also works in complex care offering sessions for seniors with tertiary mental health issues, dementia, and Alzheimer’s, and adults with acquired brain injuries. Within these populations, she uses clients’ preferred music to help maintain cognitive function through reminiscing, cultivating a higher quality of life for them.
Her approach to music therapy is based on an understanding of the human condition. As human beings, we all seek to be seen, heard, and validated. Her work aims to meet this fundamental need through relationship. Upon the foundation of the relationship she forms with clients, she then collaborates with them to create their social, emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual goals. Working to meet these goals can include songwriting, lyric analysis, improvisation, guided meditations, recovery playlists, affirmation chants, singing familiar songs, and more.
Victoria Heard
Yoga Instructor
Victoria is a certified yoga instructor and an alumni of Charlford House, who loves giving back to the house through yoga. Teaching the women at Charlford is very rewarding for Victoria. Sharing how yoga, meditation, body awareness and self love are important tools in recovery. When the women have a moment of peace in savasana, or hold strong in a pose it means everything. Yoga is a continuous journey to discover yourself and Victoria hopes she can help help these women find the pieces they lost.
Penny McIvor
Bookkeeper
Penny is married with 4 adult children and 5 grandchildren.
She has lived, worked and volunteered in New Westminster since 1999. She started her own bookkeeping business in 2008 which concentrates on small business and not for profit companies, which currently has 9 clients.
In her spare time, she spends it with family, crocheting and crafts, along with volunteer opportunities. She was president of her local resident’s association for 4 years and on her building strata for 10 years.
She has worked and volunteered with the Hyack Festival Association since 2010 and is currently the President of the Hyack Festival Association, which puts on an annual parade and 2 festivals as well as participating in numerous local and out of town parades and festivals.
Da Eun Chung
Art Therapist
Da Eun Chung is a culturally sensitive art therapist and facilitator. Her background is in visual art and design, with former years of creating illustration and advertising works, before moving onto the nonprofit sector working with marginalised youth and adults. Da Eun first connected with Charlford House through volunteer work in 2016, then did practicum as an art therapist during her studies at the Vancouver Art Therapy Institute.
She is now employed with Charlford House as a regular art therapist offering group and individual sessions for women in recovery. She believes that the process of art making is healing, and that it can bring various therapeutic elements to a person no matter what they are going through. Da Eun also runs her private practice online for women. Besides art therapy, Da Eun enjoys spending time with friends and family, going for nature walks, making art, and enjoying desserts!
Dr. Kathryn Porter
Medical Director
Dr. Porter is a duly qualified family physician licensed by the College of Physicians and Surgeons of British Columbia and certified by the Canadian College of Family Physicians. Dr. Porter earned an Honours Bachelor of Science degree in Physiology from the University of British Columbia in 1991. She completed her medical training through the University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine and went on to complete a two year residency program in Family Medicine through the Department of Family Medicine also at UBC.
In addition to being the Medical Director at Charlford House, Dr. Porter practices family medicine in Vancouver, and Addiction Medicine in Surrey and on Bowen Island.
She has practiced throughout the Lower Mainland of British Columbia as well as in the United States, bringing a broad range of perspectives and outreach to our clients.