Support Staff

Nancy
Programme Assistant

Nancy is deeply rooted here in the Kootenays with four generations making hers is one of the earlier settlers to our area. She claims “the magnificence of this area lies deeply within my soul”. Nancy brings a wide range of experiences, activities, her abundant energy and passion to the treatment centre. Her history is one of working along side and managing people from all walks of life. To best describe Nancy the words “fun, witty, compassionate, energetic, positive, enthusiastic, inspirational and spiritual” would all be appropriate. Nancy is proof positive that working with life in recovery is a continuously wonderful experience.

Karin
Programme Assistant

Born into a striving family, Karin eagerly joined the team of care workers at Top of the World Ranch Treatment Centre. After several setbacks in Karin's youthful years she realized that she was in need of guidance. Upon recieving support through AA 12 step program she soon appreciated the encouragement of others and found it possible to make better choices with her new self-discoveries. Karin gained an education involving Critical Incident Management and Lay Counselling for victims of abuse. Through her own experiences and efforts Karin wholeheartedly offers to many the same sincere gift that had once set her free; celebrating 27 years of sobriety December, 2007.

Gary
Programme Assistant 

Gary is a warm and gently supportive individual with a straight forward and no nonsense approach to recovery. He is a generous community volunteer with a heart for service and community support. Gary has a gift for providing inspiration for clients to make positive changes. He has a personable sense of humour and the ability to effectively diffuse unnecessary distress in uncomfortable situations. His empathy for clients in recovery is what makes him a valuable asset to Top of the World Ranch.

Our Cullinary Team

Chef Joan
Joan is a Certified Journeyman Red Seal Chef.  She attended The Southern Alberta Institute of Technology in Calgary, Alberta.  She then apprenticed in a variety of different local restaurants.  Joan brings with her to the kitchen, her creative cooking with a large variety of cuisine and a strong record of achievements.  Joan’s passion for cooking offers our clients a diverse, wholesome dining experience.  She works hard to provide the freshest, finest and healthiest cuisine.  As the amazing staff at Top of the World Ranch help you to fulfill your goals for a new and better life, Joan helps heal the insides with good home-cooked appeal, flavor, and flare that could only come from all her culinary experience.
Having lived most of her life in the shadow of the Rockies, Joan feels drawn to the mountains and hopes the clients will share her love for the area.

Yvonne
Yvonne has been in the cooking business for over twenty years, specializing in all styles of foods with extensive knowledge of our clients unique dietary needs. This knowledge coupled with her caring yet exuberant life energy allows those needs to be met with enthusiasm.
She has worked in a variety of cooking environments including owning and operating her own restaurant, catering, providing a home delivery service for seniors and managing local restaurants.  Yvonne offers her own flare from healthy home style cooking to less traditional cuisine.
A local lady, Yvonne was born and raised in Marysville, BC.  She has a love for the outdoors and has spent many years camping, hiking and kayaking in various areas in BC with her family.  Yvonne likes
to be surrounded by her children and pets including horses, cats, dogs, guinea pigs and rabbits.

Ken
Maintenance Supervisor

Ken is in charge of maintaining the functioning of the physical plant of the Ranch facility. Trouble-shooting the mechanical and technical issues that arise is his specialty. Ken is a gentle and approachable individual with previous lengthy and successful careers in retail management. The job at the Ranch holds great appeal in both the challenges and rewards it affords. Directing the maintenance of the landscaping to maximize the beauty of the natural environment while keeping the common grounds clear of ranging deer often involves swiftly snapping a compellingly lovely photograph before encouraging the creatures to move off into wilder territory. Ken ensures that the trails are clear and accessible for nature walks and is a generous source of information about both the flora and fauna that abound on the Ranch lands. He is an experienced wilderness leader with skill in the backcountry on both land and water. He is a naturally skilled problem solver in all arenas of life. His compassion for people in distress and his faith in the power of gentleness and truth make him an exceptionally valuable member of the Top of the World Ranch team.