About Us
Our Executive Director
Desiree Surowski is the Founder and Executive Director of Penticton Overdose Prevention Society. Desiree grew up in Penticton, and as someone with Lived Experience of substance use, she brings strong expertise to the field of Harm Reduction. She has over 10 years of experience working with Non-Profits in support services and case management.
Our history
P+OPS was created in 2021 as a community response to growing needs in the South Okanagan-Similkameen during the ongoing War on Drugs and Toxic Drug Crisis. We started with no funding and on a volunteer base to operate. Thank you to community donations and funding through some grants, we are able to have an employee base of around 30 people.
Our mission
To incorporate harm reduction principles and evidence based practices to serve people who use substances. We believe there is a continuum of care that needs to have services for people who use substances daily through to those who are abstinent. By meeting people where they are at, we believe P+OPS will be able to ensure the safety and continued well-being of any person who accesses our services.
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Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to continue operating and saving lives.
P+OPS Board of Directors
Amy MacDonald
Rhonda Ducharme
Shelley Horner
President
Amy MacDonald is an AIDS certified LPN who moved to Penticton 8 years ago from Richmond to pursue her nursing education. She found her passion for harm reduction work after being touched by personal experience with the toxic drug crisis in 2016. Amy has worked with SOWINS, Interior Health and currently ASK Wellness Society. She i
President
Amy MacDonald is an AIDS certified LPN who moved to Penticton 8 years ago from Richmond to pursue her nursing education. She found her passion for harm reduction work after being touched by personal experience with the toxic drug crisis in 2016. Amy has worked with SOWINS, Interior Health and currently ASK Wellness Society. She is passionate about the work done by P+OPS as it provides hope to the ongoing crisis in the community.
Shelley Horner
Rhonda Ducharme
Shelley Horner
Secretary
Shelley has lived in the Syilx Okanagan Territories for 41 years and is a RN BN with a nurse prescribers certification. She has worked for Penticton Indian Band, Interior Health, Alberta Health Services and currently works for Ki-low-na Friendship Society. She brings a myriad of health and wellness experience to the board from an
Secretary
Shelley has lived in the Syilx Okanagan Territories for 41 years and is a RN BN with a nurse prescribers certification. She has worked for Penticton Indian Band, Interior Health, Alberta Health Services and currently works for Ki-low-na Friendship Society. She brings a myriad of health and wellness experience to the board from an intersectional lens. She is passionate about harm reduction and Overdose prevention services due to the losses and struggles of those she loves with lived and living experience.
Rhonda Ducharme
Rhonda Ducharme
Rhonda Ducharme
Board Member
P+OPS Board of Directors
Stephanie Lines
Stephanie Lines
Stephanie Lines
Director of HR
Stephanie was raised on Syilx Okanagan Territories and has spent a total of 28 years here. She spent 10 years working in a variety of harm reduction programs including a treatment centre and supportive housing services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with PHS Community Services Society. Stephanie has now worked in harm red
Director of HR
Stephanie was raised on Syilx Okanagan Territories and has spent a total of 28 years here. She spent 10 years working in a variety of harm reduction programs including a treatment centre and supportive housing services in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside with PHS Community Services Society. Stephanie has now worked in harm reduction services for over 18 years and brings a variety of skills to the organization including frontline experience and program administration. She is a co-founder of P+OPS and an ally and advocate for lived experience voice and service development for People Who Use Drugs
Shane Surowski
Stephanie Lines
Stephanie Lines
Administrative Assistant
Shane was born, raised and has spent his life in the Syilx Okanagan territories. He is an original co-founder of P+OPS. He has a background in a variety trades and has worked in data and telecommunications systems, security tech and is currently working for Rotobec as a Branch Manager.
Shane is driven to see people
Administrative Assistant
Shane was born, raised and has spent his life in the Syilx Okanagan territories. He is an original co-founder of P+OPS. He has a background in a variety trades and has worked in data and telecommunications systems, security tech and is currently working for Rotobec as a Branch Manager.
Shane is driven to see people survive and thrive and be the best version of themselves. His work with P+OPS is inspired by saving lives and giving people a chance at living their best life.