Alexander Blum-walker
Restorative Justice Program Director

Alex moved to Terrace from Smithers 5 years ago and comes to the Terrace Restorative Justice Team with a wide variety of experience both through his career and volunteerism. Alex currently works for Community Living BC as a Facilitator after having worked as an Employment and Assistance Worker for the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction, a Case Manager for Work BC, and a Community Housing Program Manager for a local service provider to adults with intellectual disabilities. Alex has spent his time since graduating from UNBC in Prince George gaining valuable experience working with underprivileged and overrepresented demographics in the justice system. Having worked with youth and adults with substance use issues, mental health struggles, and intellectual disabilities, Alex has gained experience that proves invaluable for his position as Restorative Justice Program Director.

In addition to his diverse career, Alex has been volunteering extensively with local and surrounding Special Olympic programs. Alex is currently the Local Coordinator for Special Olympics in Terrace, taking over the position shortly after moving to Terrace from Smithers where he was on the executive committee there as the Volunteer Coordinator.

“I owe a lot of my career and the opportunities I have had to Special Olympics because I originally went to university to study Environmental Studies. When I finished University, I had a lot of free time so I was looking for a meaningful way I could help my community and I stumbled on the local Special Olympics group. I was quickly hooked and the experience and growth I have been through as a coach and organizer for Special Olympics has given me the confidence to look at the social work field more realistically as a career. I am happy with the choice I made, and plan to continue to volunteer with Special Olympics long into the future.”

Alex was recently a planning committee member for the 2023 Provincial Restorative Justice Symposium that was held in Richmond in June. This symposium brought together people from not only British Columbia, but from California, Washington, and Maryland as well.

In addition to working for CLBC and Volunteer Terrace, volunteering with Special Olympics and Restorative Justice Association of BC, Alex also sits on the Board of Directors for Volunteer BC, an provincial organization that aims to assist and promote volunteerism across the province.

Alex connects with the values and ideas of Restorative Justice extensively after seeing how often people fall through the cracks of different systems, be it judicial, societal, or governmental. Alex is always looking for new and exciting ways to help people, and when given the opportunity to bring his perspective and experience to this role, he jumped on it. Alex looks forward to being able to grow the Restorative Justice program in Terrace.

ANDREW ROTH

Andrew Roth is the Vice Chair for Volunteer Terrace. Andrew is a Professional Engineer and Team Lead with Tetra Tech Canada Inc.. Andrew has been a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters for Canada for 10 years. He is actively volunteering with Engineers and Geoscientists BC, Northern BC. Andrew is passionate about youth mentorship.

GINA VERSTEEGE

Gina Versteege has had the pleasure of serving the people of Skeena as Ellis Ross’ Constituency Assistant for Skeena. She served as the Executive Director of Legal Aid in a Federal Jurisdiction, taught Criminal Justice at the Justice Institute and was the manager of Licensing for Business Practice and Consumer Protection of British Columbia. She has served on many boards and continues to provide volunteer services to her community.

Gina is passionate about seniors and advocates for them on a daily basis. Gina says “at the end of my days I wish to be remembered as a kind and giving human being”.

KAM SIEMENS

Kam Siemens is the Treasurer for Volunteer Terrace. Born in Punjab, India, Kam Siemens grew up in Northern BC and truly understands the diversity and complexity of smaller communities. Kam started her career in the financial services industry in 1996, and started her own financial planning practice with IG Wealth Management in 2004. 

Kam is passionate about educating, enriching and empowering the people he serves. She continues to grow her practice through a holistic approach to their financial future. Volunteerism is important to Kam, and she supports many other organisations within Terrace.

Rachel Caira

Rachel Caira is the secretary for Volunteer Terrace. Rachel has worked for Triton Environmental Consultants Ltd. since 2013 and is currently the Operations Manager for their Terrace, Kitimat, and Prince Rupert offices. She has volunteered for a wide variety of organizations over the years, including the Canadian Cancer Society, the War Amps, the SPCA, and the Northern Lights Wildlife Society. More recently in Terrace, Rachel has been volunteering with NARA, as well as with the Better At Home Friendly Visitor Program and the Snow Angels Program.

Carol Leclerc

Being born and living most of her life in Terrace, Carol is very happy to have joined the Volunteer Terrace board. She recently completed 17 years as an elected official, worked 25 years with the Coast Mountain School District, and is now fortunate enough to have the time to lend a hand. Carol loves spending time with her family, including her 7 grandchildren and friends, and is an active Rotarian with The Rotary Club of Skeena Valley. She enjoys long bike rides on her e-bike, walking, hiking and traveling

Steve Sharron

Steve is a fisheries biologist at Ecofish Research and has lived in Terrace since 2015. The wide range of outdoors activities and the diversity of the community kept him here in Terrace. After working as a volunteer on the ground and seeing how important Volunteer Terrace is to the community, he joined the board in 2023 to help the organization continue on its path to success.

MICHAEL PREVOST

Michael Prevost has been a Registered Nurse with Northern Health Authority since 2012. Michael excels at building partnerships between stakeholders in the communities that he supports. He is a strong supporter of social equity and justice.

Michael has been involved as a leader in the local labour movement. He was the communications secretary for the Northwest Region of the BCNU from 2012-2014. In 2015, he ended his role as a worksite steward and co-chair of his worksite’s Joint Occupational Health and Safety committee. He continued on as a regional educator for the union until 2018. Michael was elected to the Nurses’ Bargaining Association as a committee for the 2019-2022 provincial collective agreement negotiations.

Over the years, Michael’s passion and commitment to public service and volunteerism has found him working with BC Special Olympics as a bowling coach; as a prior Board Chairsperson for Volunteer Terrace; and as a Municipal Councillor for the City of Terrace, Michael was appointed to City of Terrace’s Housing Committee. Michael also volunteered as the Northwest Regional Senator for the University of Northern British Columbia.

Michael’s personal mission is to foster the creation of an empowering environment where individual capacity is realized and supported through collaborative partnerships. He was born and raised in Terrace, B.C. He is a passionate leader and a proud community volunteer.