Shauna Bradshaw

Operations Manager

In March 2008, Shauna’s career path took a serious shift when she was offered the position at Rising Above. Her initial enthusiasm about the job has not faded as she finds fulfillment every day at work. Her job description changes every day at Rising Above. You may find her in the office crunching numbers and sending e-mails and then next thing you know, she is meeting with the men and women in the program or chatting and drinking coffee with the ladies in their living room.

At home, Shauna is the mother of 2 children. She looks forward to summers when the kids are out of school and the family can take off with some friends to go hiking and camping. Out-door extraordinaire, social butterfly, and administration expert, Shauna uses her personality, qualities and gifts to their fullest potential at Rising Above.

Amanda Guay

Personal Development Coordinator /Men’s program

Amanda has been with Rising Above since June 2008 and has been challenged and blessed in many ways through her involvement with this program. Having lived in the Grande Prairie area for her whole life, she loves working at a job that has impact on the community that she calls home. She is recently married and is excited about establishing her own family in her home town.

Her role at Rising Above is coordinating the men’s program. She enjoys the one on one meetings with the participants in the program where she has an opportunity to hear their story and work alongside them as they journey towards recovery. Helping people change their lives and find freedom and value is an incredible experience and she is so glad to have the opportunity to be part of that transformation.

Mel Siggelkow

Director

Mel is the visionary behind Rising Above. The idea for this homeless and housing initiative came while he was the full-time Pastor at North Country Community Church. Since then, he has left his role of Pastor to move full-time to Rising Above. But just as God blessed his pastoral ministry, Mel believes that God has been preparing his heart for exactly this type of ministry. During his 20 years as Pastor, he worked with a lot of people who were trapped in cycles of defeat. The outcast and the overlooked have always tugged at Mel’s heart, and that passion has just grown along with his increased involvement with the participants.

Mel is about to celebrate his 25th anniversary of marriage to Liz, a winner of a wife. Together they have raised three kids who are now young adults. Mel is thrilled to see the hearts of compassion and outreach in each of his children.

Terry Doerksen

Employment Facilitator/ Supports

Terry started with Rising Above in May of 2010, and his responsibilities will center on employment development and maintenance/infrastructure. His background is in building construction and education , but God made it very clear that it was time to start building more specifically into people (houses are easier!). Terry is passionate about helping others find freedom, and his own experience and subsequent training in the area of recovery will be a valuable asset to the program. Terry is very personable, and enjoys connecting with people. He finds the daily interactions with participants and staff very fulfilling – he knows this is God’s place for him right now, and anticipates what God is and will be doing through this ministry.

The Doerksens moved to Grande Prairie 11 years ago, and are well settled with many rich relationships. Terry’s wife, Colleen, works with seniors through Home Support, and his teenage children, Ben(19) and Janna(17), balance work, school, recreation, and Facebook. Some of Terry’s interests include sports, music, and the outdoors. He will head for the bush at the drop of a hat, and drop the hat himself!

Ryan Law

Second Chance Furniture

Ryan comes to Rising Above with an abundance of enthusiasm, energy and joy as he takes the next step in his life of ministry. After completing his BA in Christian Education-Youth Ministries through William and Catherine Booth College in Winnipeg, Ryan worked as a Youth Pastor and with a drug addiction program director in Winnipeg. His calling in 2001 to the Grande Prairie Salvation Army Community Church as Youth Pastor has enabled him to develop strong management, program development, networking, volunteer training and supervision skills. He brings to Rising Above Second Chance Furniture valuable experience from his work with The Salvation Army and their Thrift Stores. Ryan is hard-working, people-oriented manager who offers his newest ministry an excellent mix of resourcefulness, dedication and a desire to serve. Ryan is married to his wonderful wife Karen and they are expecting their first child in July 2011.