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Our mission is to support youth and families in British Columbia to find freedom from problematic substance use.

Peak House is a voluntary, ten-week, live-in, treatment program for youth experiencing problems with drugs, including alcohol. We operate within the harm reduction spectrum with a trauma informed, client centred, and social justice framework.

Established in 1988 by Pacific Youth and Family Services Society, the program serves youth from across British Columbia who, due to the serious nature of their substance misuse, require a more intensive level of service than can be provided in their home community.

Peak House has been internationally recognized for utilizing a unique, collaborative, youth-driven, community-based model of care. The roots of this approach are grounded in promoting change that lasts over time and social justice-informed approaches to therapy and counselling. The community at Peak House honours the wisdom and expertise that young persons and families possess and through this wisdom, the Peak House program has continued to grow and evolve.

Peak House has been accredited (CARF) and is licensed. We are proud member of The Federation of Community Social Services of BC.

Peak House was also the recipient of the Addiction Specialists & Allied Professionals of British Columbia (ASAP) Award of Excellence and the BC Association of Clinical Counsellors Professional Care Award for exhibiting special creativity in providing counseling and mental health care.

Collaboration & Community

We are committed to continuing our learning together, taking time to reflect on and acknowledge successes, as well as individually and collectively questioning our practices to address struggles.

Centring Youth Success

We maintain the success of all young people in our program by keeping their success at the centre of our planning and work, and ensuring that youth are uniquely supported in their individual therapeutic work.

Inclusion & Diversity

We welcome clients from all walks of life, cultural backgrounds, sexual orientations, genders and gender expressions. We are accountable toward clients and one another in regards to practices regarding gender, race, age, sexuality, social class, and disabilities. Read more...

Peak House Location

Peak House is located in a residential neighbourhood in Vancouver, British Columbia. We have 7 bedrooms and 8 beds, a full kitchen, livingroom, two group rooms, and a beautiful backyard. Youth have told us that the house feels comfortable, warm, safe and welcoming.

Watch this video for a virtual tour of Peak House

Staff

Peak House staff support clients throughout their stay and help them to reach their goals. We are committed to providing a safe, friendly, caring, non-judgmental and supportive environment. Our staff team includes six Youth Counsellors, two awake Overnight Staff, an on-call Youth Counsellor team, Nurse Practitioner, Administrative Assistant, Cook, Acupuncturist, Yoga Instructor, Cultural Elder, and Summer Life-skills Programmer.

James Kelly

Executive Director

James has been working in youth and family services in Vancouver for over 20 years — both in a front-line and management capacity. James began his role as Executive Director at Peak House in 2009. James identifies as trans, is passionate about social justice, and committed to providing anti-oppressive and inclusive services in his community. In addition to his work at Peak House, James has served on numerous community board of directors, and works alongside organizations and individuals providing consultation, workshops, mentorship and leadership training.

Andrea Krakan, Acting Program Manager Peak House

Andrea Krakan

Acting Program Manager

Danielle Emon

Intake Counsellor

Danielle joined the Peak House team as Intake Coordinator in 2022, after many years working in frontline harm reduction.

As a parent of four, she also has a richly nuanced understanding of neurodiversity, developed through her experiences advocating for her own kids and navigating the system to access support services.

Murphy Ryan

Community Liason

Murphy first learned about Peak House when he was a teenager himself, in the late 1990s, through participation in activism alongside Vikki Reynolds, who served as the program’s Clinical Supervisor for many years.

After completing his undergraduate degree in Linguistics and Gender Studies at SFU, Murphy joined the Peak House team as a Youth Counsellor in 2006. He left Peak House to prioritize parenting in 2010, and went on to earn a Master’s degree from the Society, Culture & Politics in Education program at UBC. Read more…

Stefanie Krasnow

Stefanie Krasnow

Clinical Supervisor

Stefanie is a Registered Clinical Counsellor who works as our Clinical Supervisor, providing the team with supervision and training related to counselling. She has two Masters degrees – one in Philosophy & Literature and the other in Counselling Psychology – and a previous career as a writer, all of which inform her approach through an emphasis on creativity, and an orientation that frames substance use struggles within a broader sociocultural context. As a former Peak House Clinical Counsellor, Stefanie is devoted to applying practices and wisdom that emerged from her own work with youth in the program.

Jeremy Honeyman

Jeremy Honeyman

Administrative Assistant

Clinical Counsellor

Hameda Nyamekye

Hameda Nyamekye

Clinical Counsellor

As the second member of the clinical team, Hameda brings her frontline experience and passion for working with high-risk youth from diverse backgrounds to Peak House. She operates from a strengths-based approach and believes in the power of gratitude, vulnerability, and connection.

Michelle Davis

Michelle Davis

Provincial Resource Teacher

Michelle has been the teacher at Peak House since 2013 and she specializes in mathematics and inclusive education. She supports students with their individual learning and educational goals and also supports the transition to and from the home school and/or helps find a new school program. She is committed to student-centred learning and takes great pride in developing positive and supportive relationships with all students.

Joel Jasper

Youth Counsellor Team

Joel started working at Peak House in 2020 as a youth counsellor. He has a bachelor’s in sociology from UBC and a background in teaching both English and Music. He has gained experience working with trauma and intervention from his weekly volunteer responder role at the Vancouver crisis line. Outside of work Joel pursues music production, graphic design and event planning for local charities. At Peak House Joel strives to help build an environment of inclusivity, supporting personal growth and connection, supporting youth in sharing insights and perspective with one another.

Dani Bodner

Youth Counsellor Team

Dani joined the Youth Counsellor team in 2022. She has prior experience working in residential settings, providing mental health support to young people, and is passionate about creating and maintaining safe spaces.

She is currently completing an undergraduate degree in psychology and sociology at UBC, and enjoys going for walks with her French Bulldog, Lou.

Graeme Vargas

Graeme Vargas

Youth Counsellor Team

My name is Graeme. I started working as a youth counselor at Peak House in July of 2021. I have a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work and have had a passion for working within social services since I was in high school. I enjoy being active, singing, playing guitar/ukulele, cutting hair, and fashion. I have found a deep passion and love for working with youth which has continued to push me forward to support and impact the lives of youth in a positive way.

Aileen Tran

Youth Counsellor Team
Shelby Gindl

Shelby Gindl

Youth Counsellor Team
Laila Biergans

Laila Biergans

Overnight Staff

Tajinder Kaur

Overnight Staff
Jean Leonardo

Jean Leonardo

Cook

Board of Directors

Pacific Youth and Family Services Society Board of Directors

Patrick Grayer

Chair

Patrick went to law school at the University of British Columbia and now works out of an office in East Vancouver where he mainly practices criminal and family law. He joined the Peak House board in order to be involved in providing services to youth in his community.

Caitlin Grisack

Vice Chair

Caitlin has over 10 years’ experience facilitating and managing innovative programs in the criminal justice, education, and health care sectors. She specializes in conflict transformation, psychological safety, holistic health promotion, and delivering services to at-risk and vulnerable populations. Currently she is the Health & Wellness Solutions Program Manager at Pacific Blue Cross.

Christine Smith

Secretary

Christine is the Director of Development at Seva Canada and has more than 10 years of experience working in and for the charitable sector.

Stephanie Fitzsimmons

Treasurer

Emily Coates

Director

Emily has been a full time Realtor with Sutton Centre since 2003 prior to which she worked in banking with RBC. In 2011, she obtained her Associate Brokers Licence and in 2014 her licence in Property Management.

Marc Goffaux

Marc Goffaux

Director

Marc was born and raised in São Paulo, Brazil before moving to Canada to pursue his Bachelor’s degree in 2012. He quickly embraced the Vancouver community where he is proud to call it his home. When he is not working or visiting family abroad, you can find him enjoying either a cup of joe at your local coffee shop or hiking one our beautiful mountains.