Regional Support Team

Pastor Daniel Emond

Chief Executive Officer

Katie Emond

Chief Operating Officer

Jennifer Ahuja

Chief Administrative Officer

Pastor Danny McVeigh

Chief Program Officer

Pastor Tim Hamm

Regional Program Director

Keith Stewart

Regional Development Director

Ana Caciula

Donor Relations Administrator

Benjamin Schaeffer

Regional Director - Thrift Store Operations

Susan Cooper

Director of Store Support

Deborah Mcveigh

Marketing Director

Beverly Ajtay

Events Director

Rev. Terry Thiessen

Pastor of Alumni & Community Development

Amy Marasco

Community Services Manager

Tony Schaefer

Operations Manager

Josee Góngora

Finance & Administration Manager

Zach Dixon

Court Communicator

Jordan Lange

Program Development and Staff Training Administrator

Sarah Reimers

Accounting & Payroll

Kevin Ronald

Donor Care Representative & Finance Technical Liaison

Socheata Vithiea

Finance & Office Administration Assistant

Aline Lima

Donor Relations & Finance Assistant

Idara Otongaran

Donor Relations & Finance Assistant

Board of Directors

Ken Funk

Director

Jonathan Boettcher

Secretary

Harold Barg

Treasurer

Herb Buller

Board Chair

Derek Friesen

Board Member

About our Founders

Rev. Steve & Margaret

Rev. Steven & Margaret Paulson have devoted their lives to providing others the opportunity to change theirs. In 1993, they founded the Central Canada chapter of Adult & Teen Challenge, where they served faithfully for 27 years.

Under Brother Steve’s leadership, Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada grew to include numerous inpatient and outpatient programs throughout the region, dedicated to helping put the hope of the gospel within reach of addicts and their families.

Brother Steve is an ordained minister with the Fellowship of Christian Assemblies, and a member of the executive council for Global Teen Challenge, where he serves as a regional director for Canada/North America. He provides mentorship to programs in Winnipeg, Brandon, Thunder Bay, Denare Beach, Abbotsford, Chilliwack & Kelowna.

Rev. Paulson has served on the board of governors at the Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) and currently serves on the board of trustees for Adult & Teen Challenge USA and as an advisory board member for Winnipeg’s Lighthouse Mission and Flin Flon’s Freedom Outreach. In 2012, he was awarded the prestigious Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Medal by the former federal justice minister for his work.

Brother Steve has been married to his wife Margaret since 1975. Together they have four children and six grandchildren, and make their home in Manitoba, Canada.

I felt like a prisoner to addiction, walking to death row. I had tried to break free many times. It started as a way to cope but became what consumed me. I lost my daughter, my family, and my health. Here, I found hope, love, life, and family. I completed the program and went on to join the SURGE leadership program. Everything I have ever been through, I now get to use for good, walking alongside others on their healing journey.

My life in addiction was chaotic. I didn’t have a sense of purpose or hope. I didn’t know what reality was anymore… I just made things up in my mind and I lived in fear. Today, I have joy, freedom and a community of support and I’m achieving goals!

On a dark path of substance use—marijuana, alcohol, and later, cocaine. My addiction escalated quickly, and I was stuck in a cycle of hopelessness and relapse. I tried to quit on my own. I’d manage to stay clean for a few months, but I’d always fall back into using. I felt trapped. At Adult & Teen Challenge, I discovered a God who loves me despite my failures, and I began to heal. Today, I’m proud to say I’m a full-time staff member at Adult & Teen Challenge, helping others who are walking the same path I once did.
“There’s hope, and it’s within reach for anyone who feels like there’s no way out.”

I struggled with drinking and partying, not realizing I needed help. My biggest challenge was being honest with my loved ones. Ready Now Recovery gave me the space to speak openly, first with the group and then with my friends and family. It showed me that I’m not alone—others are facing the same struggles.

I started smoking marijuana and doing cocaine, I quit working to grow and sell drugs. Soon after I joined a gang and survived a gang attack where my arms and legs were broken and I was stabbed multiple times. I realized many of my friends were either dead or in jail and I started thinking about my life. Since coming to Adult & Teen Challenge. My life changed so much, I’ve found Freedom thanks to God and I’m excited to help others!

Proudly Supported By

Head Office, Winnipeg MB
83 Kate St. Winnipeg MB R3A 1J9
888-822-9992

Our mission is to offer a full range of addiction, treatment and recovery services with compassion and excellence.

Site Map

At Adult & Teen Challenge of Central Canada, we respectfully acknowledge that our work takes place on the traditional territories of many Indigenous peoples. In Saskatchewan, we operate on Treaty 4, Treaty 5, and Treaty 6 lands, which are the traditional territories of the Cree, Saulteaux, Dakota, Lakota, Nakota, and Métis peoples. In Manitoba, our services span across Treaty 1, Treaty 2, Treaty 3, Treaty 4, and Treaty 5 territories, home to the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota, Dene, and Métis peoples. In Ontario, we work on the lands covered by Treaty 3 and Treaty 5, traditional territories of the Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, and Métis peoples.

We honor the enduring connection of these Nations to the land and commit to walking in partnership, respect, and reconciliation. Through our programs, we aim to foster healing, growth, and transformation, while acknowledging the rich history, and contributions of Indigenous peoples across these lands.

Regional Support Team