Our Supporters
CASASC would not be able to provide programs and services without the support of our donors, funders, partners and sponsors.
Government of Alberta
- Alberta Justice & Solicitor General
- Alberta Health Services
- Alberta Community and Social Services
Government of Canada
- Public Safety Canada
Community supporters
- Lifelong Learning Council of Red Deer
- Rotary Club of Red Deer Sunrise
- Rotary Club of Red Deer East
- Red Deer and District Community Foundation
- Rotary Club of Red Deer Urban Spirits
- Canadian Women’s Foundation
- Servus Credit Union
- F-12.net
- Scotiabank Red Deer
Our Team is here for you.
Patricia Arango
Executive Director
Patricia was born in Colombia and is a psychologist with a Masters Degree in Social and Community Psychology. She has dedicated her life to helping others. In Colombia, she created a non-profit assisting women, kids and underserved people. She was an Advisor to the Colombia Human Rights President and National Director of Indigenous Communities and Education. Upon her arrival in Canada, she became a Registered Psychotherapist where she focused on Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Solutions Focused Therapy.
In 2014, Patricia accepted the role of Executive Director for CASASC, where she continues to successfully tackle challenges. She has proudly implemented preventative programming, including the No Secrets program and the #iRespect campaign. She also initiated the text/webchat option of the 24 hour help line.
Patricia works tirelessly for her community and has proven to be an exceptional leader, pioneer and innovator with a devoted compassion and empathy for those in need.
Tracy Cross
MC, Therapist
Tracy is a Registered Provisional Psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists and is working toward full designation as a psychologist. She holds a Masters of Counselling degree from Athabasca University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from the University of Alberta. She has over 15 years experience working in various capacities with adolescents, adults and families experiencing complex issues. She has a particular interest working with those dealing with trauma and the associated challenges of personal development, relational issues, anxiety, depression, grief/loss, emotional-dysregulation, boundary issues, communication difficulties, shame, identity and self-esteem concerns.
Tracy is heavily influenced by Attachment Theory and believes that our earliest attachments influence relational and personal functioning in adulthood. She works from a client-centered, compassionate approach where she believes the client is the expert in their own lives, incorporating techniques from various therapeutic approaches depending on client need. She considers herself a life-long learner and has future plans of further studying grief, the neurobiology of trauma, somatic experiencing and mindfulness-based techniques.
Tracy is currently accepting new clients.
Mark Ballantyne
MACP CCC, Child Therapist
Mark holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary and has completed a Masters of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Yorkville University. Mark has twenty years of experience in working with children and youth who have experienced trauma, emotional dysregulation, behavioral health issues and family/personal stress. His use of an integrated approach provides cognitive behavioral strategies, strength based development, play/art techniques and a person centered philosophy allowing for the creation of a safe place to better manage trauma. Mark believes that in creating a strong therapeutic alliance children and families can move forward in their path to healing, and that people have the inner resources to make change. Mark brings that philosophy to individual clients and also with his work in the Sexual Behaviour Support Program focusing on early intervention to sexual behavior concerns.
Mark is an active public speaker providing professionals, parents and children with evidence-based strategies, and knowledge surrounding healthy relationships, coping, trauma, emotional intelligence and positive mental health.
Mark is currently accepting new clients.
Lana Kennedy
MACP, Therapist
Lana holds a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology degree from Yorkville University and a Bachelor of Education degree from the University of Alberta. She has over 25 years of experience working with youth and adults, and with various communities to help people build strengths and capacity to address complex situations.
Lana has a particular passion for helping individuals to work through trauma on a cognitive and somatic level, understanding the importance of trauma’s impact on the brain and the body. She has training in Cognitive-Behavioural Therapy, Solution-Focused Therapy, and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, and is looking forward to training in Somatic Integrative Therapy. Lana believes in tailoring sessions to meet the needs of individual clients which means that clients may receive a blend of therapies. She is very down to earth and believes in the importance of establishing and maintaining a supportive therapeutic relationship with her clients.
Lana is accepting new clients.
Mindy Alton
Child Therapist
Mindy is currently a student at Yorkville University, finishing her master’s in counselling psychology. Mindy graduated from the University of Calgary with a bachelor’s Degree in psychology. She has over ten years of experience working with children, teens, and families.
Mindy is passionate about working with youth and families and believes in Carl Roger’s principle that children learn through understanding and unconditional acceptance. She has experience supporting teens and children to develop mindfulness skills and self-awareness, reduce anxiety and build self-compassion.
Mindy is accepting new clients.
Joanne Prysunka
Therapist
Bio Coming Soon
Jenifer Ambrose
Police and Court Support Worker
As the Police & Court Support Worker Jenifer assists clients as they navigate a complex criminal justice process. She is excellent at helping address clients immediate needs through community programs, facilitating reporting in a supported and neutral space and providing information or support during the court process. She has spent the past five years as a Victim Advocate with Red Deer City Victim Services and feels passionately about making sure a victims voice is heard. Jenifer understands that every person’s journey is unique, and her goal is to help make that journey a little bit easier.
Ashley Vinthers
BA CST, Intake and Resource Specialist
Ashley has a Bachelor of Child Studies from Mount Royal University in Calgary, and has over 10 years of experience in the human services field. Her previous roles included working with foster parents, children and youth in care, families raising children with disabilities, facilitating recreational youth groups, and presenting training to children, youth, and adults about healthy relationships. She has facilitated parenting workshops and provided information in areas of brain development, attachment, temperament, and various other topics.
Ashley is certified in ASIST suicide intervention, First Response to Sexual Assault and Abuse, Therapeutic Crisis Intervention, and Mental Health First Aid. Ashley values the preventative work that CASASC does to create safety for the future and is excited to be welcomed into the team.
Donna Redbear
Community Engagement Facilitator
Bio coming soon.
Carlia Schwab
BA Psych, Education Program and Community Relations Manager
Carlia joined the CASASC leadership team in 2020 and brings with her 10 years of experience as a Provincial Associate and Master Trainer with violence and abuse prevention education programming of the Canadian Red Cross. Carlia has also worked as an Education Assistant with Red Deer Catholic Schools specializing in youth experiencing barriers and with disabilities, and has also worked in youth homes.
Carlia is a certified trainer of the First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse training program.
Carlia brings with her skills in community and program development, prevention education training and curriculum development, organization and school capacity building, team leadership and development and much more. She is passionate about working with children & youth, young adults, underrepresented populations, and sports through advocacy, education, awareness and community relationship building.
Kailee Burkinshaw
BA Soc, Educator
Kailee (she/her) has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology from the University of Calgary. She is working towards a graduate certificate in Sexual Health from the University of Alberta. Kailee has experiences in gender-based violence prevention, LGBTQ+ & Indigenous spaces, crisis support, and child & adult education through her various work, volunteer, and educational opportunities since 2016. Kailee has been a SART team member and remains a volunteer on CASASC’s 24/7 help line. Before joining the Education Team in 2020, Kailee was an educational assistant at the elementary level with Red Deer Public School District for two years.
Kailee is certified in First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse, Mental Health First Aid for Adults and Youth, and various AHS Mental Health for Educator topics. She is a facilitator of Engaging Strategies toward Ending Workplace Sexual Harassment training.
Kailee is passionate about working with children & youth, women, LGBTQ+, and Indigenous populations through advocacy, education and community connection.
Shay Fox
Educator
Shay comes to CASASC with a passion for education. She believes that youth are our future and strives to make a difference in their lives. Shay has worked delivering a variety of early learning programs and supported students in rural communities throughout Central Alberta. She has over 15 years of experience working with children and has prior experience teaching preschool and as well as office management.
Shay has completed multiple courses in child development as well as mental health and is invested in ensuring all learners feel accepted and included. She has been the Indigenous education lead within her schools and is LGBTQ+ affirming.
Shay is excited to work with the CASASC team supporting the diverse needs of communities through compassion and education.
Theresa Golly
BCR, Educator
Theresa comes to CASASC from the Red Cross as a trainer and trained in the delivery of workshops in Beyond the Hurt and Healthy Youth Relationships. Her previous work includes working with parents and their families in providing resources, support and guidance in areas of child development, financial literacy and community resources. She has facilitated parent support groups and provided evidence-based research in areas of brain development, attachment, temperament and various other topics for families. She also provided support for families fleeing domestic violence.
Theresa completed her diploma in Physio and Occupational Therapy Assistant at MacEwan University and then obtained her Bachelors of Community Rehabilitation and Disability Studies at the University of Calgary. She has been trained in the use of the Diagnostic Inventory of Screening Children (DISC), Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) and Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ). She has taken several different training workshops in her 12 years of work experience. Theresa is excited to be joining the CASASC team.
Lori Perkes
Human Resources Specialist
Bio coming soon
Christi Albers-Manicke
Communications
Bio coming soon
Wendy Madden
Fund Development
Bio coming soon
Erin Willmer
BA Psych, Crisis Support and SART Manager
Erin is a graduate from the University of Calgary with a degree in psychology. After spending seven years at the Alberta Children’s Hospital in Calgary as a Medical Laboratory Assistant, Erin decided to switch gears and return to Central Alberta to pursue a career in the helping profession.
While gaining experience in the event industry as well as the private educational system, Erin joined the CASASC team in 2018 on a volunteer basis. She became a part of the administration team in early 2020 and is excited to expand her knowledge and improve her skills in a new environment. She is currently the manager of the in-hospital support team (SART) and the volunteer program.
Cathy Schelske-Bluett
Administrative Assistant
Cathy was born and raised in Southern Alberta. She moved with her family to Red Deer in 2010. Her professional background is in administration and accounts receivable in the private sector. She has been a volunteer board member with the Red Deer Community Band Society since 2015. Cathy thoroughly enjoys supporting other non-profit organizations in Red Deer along with the Royals membership. She is a proud member to the CASASC admin team as is truly honoured to put her skills to work in support of the larger community in Central Alberta. She is excited to expand her awareness of the services and supports the Centre offers the region.
Janna Kingma
Administrative Assistant
Janna was born and raised in British Columbia, but has spent a portion of her adult life living in Central Alberta. She returned in 2021 to attend Red Deer Polytechnic where she received an Office Administration certificate. Janna has spent the last decade working in merchandising and retail management after receiving a Fashion diploma from the University of the Fraser Valley. She came to CASASC through a practicum with RDP and is excited to gain experience and skills while pursuing more education in the future to shift her career towards helping others.
Chelsey Clancy
Administrative Assistant/Crisis Support
Bio coming soon.
Cassandra Mierau
Crisis Support Worker
Cassandra has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology and is a trained First Responder to Sexual Assault and Abuse. She started volunteering on the crisis line in 2019 and later that year joined the Support Team. She puts great effort into maintaining a supportive environment with crisis line volunteers. Cassandra prides herself in being an active listener which allows others the freedom to express themselves in a safe environment.
Francesca Debono
Crisis Support Worker
Francesca began with CASASC in 2019 as a volunteer on the crisis line and SART team, and transitioned to the Support Team in early 2020. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in International Health Studies from Burman University in 2014 and has a BSW from the University of Manitoba in 2019. Since then, Francesca has attained provincial registration and served within Indigenous communities, disability services, brain injury, and inpatient psychiatry – participating in professional competency training along the way. She strongly believes in the support and advocacy that CASASC provides Red Deer and surrounding areas, and she is grateful to be part of the Support Team.
Amy Long
Crisis Support Worker/SART member
Amy is a Provisionally Registered Social Worker. She is a case manager at Pathways to Housing/Amethyst House. Amy is a proud member of CASASC’s Support and SART teams since 2019.
Morgan Mickelson
Crisis Support Worker
Morgan graduated from the University of Calgary with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology. Since starting as a volunteer on the Crisis Line in 2017, Morgan has gained valuable tools needed in her current position. She has trained in areas of trauma-informed care, suicide intervention, therapeutic intervention, grief and loss support, among others. Morgan comes with many years of experience in working with individuals in crisis, providing resources and being the first point of contact for those impacted by sexual violence.
Support Team
Bios coming soon
SART Team
Bios coming soon
With gratitude and a spirit of reconciliation
CASASC recognizes that we work and live within the traditional, unceded lands and travelling routes of the Indigenous Peoples represented in Treaties 6 and 7 and the home of the Metis Region III who also share a deep connection with these lands.
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