Ken & Julie Kissick - Directors

Hi, our names are Ken and Julie Kissick, and we've been the executive directors of Streets Alive since 1992. We both came from Manitoba, first moving to Sundre, then Picture Butte, and finally to Lethbridge in 1984. Ken worked for the bank for 17 years, and Julie worked in and around the community, mostly for the Auto Trader. We've been married since 1972, and have three kids, three grandkids, and three dogs. Our kids were mostly raised in the ministry, and have the same compassion for the lost and hurting that we do. We gave our lives over to the Lord in 1984, and we've been pedal to the metal ever since.

During a trip to Mexico in 1990, God birthed a vision in us to work with disenfranchised people. Julie started to drive the bus for what was then known as Victory Downtown Outreach, and Ken joined her on the bus shortly thereafter. We were honored to become directors in 1992, and have been overseeing this ministry ever since. In 2002, Ken underwent treatment for cancer, and emerged victorious. We have no plans to slow down in any way, and will continue to show God's love whoever crosses our path.

Send an email to Ken or Julie.

Meagan & AJ Romanchuk - Administrator

Hi, my name is Meagan Romanchuk, and I’m the administrator here at Streets Alive. I’m also one of Pastor Ken and Julie’s three kids, as mentioned above. As you may have guessed, I have two siblings. One older brother and one younger brother, both of which I love. I grew up in the church, and have always been a “goodie-two shoes”, as it were. I was always on the honor roll, and usually as active in extra-curricular activities as I could be. I graduated high school and took a year off, and then I completed a year of Bible College in Tennessee. That was truly a learning experience, an 18 year old homebody flying 3000 miles away for her first time away from home. I attempted to go back, but it didn’t work out after that first year. All for the best, because I was soon to meet the man I married, A.J. We’ve been married since 2002, and have two dogs that we love to mess with.
I worked in grocery store as a cashier for several years, and then became a manager for a beauty supply warehouse, a job I held for 3 years. I was thrilled when the opportunity arose for me to work at Streets Alive. I had watched my parents involvement for so long, and I had been involved myself in some volunteer activities. God has really upped my compassion since I started working here in February 2006, and I look forward to the future of this ministry in the years to come.

Send an email to Meagan.

Dwayne & Heidi Schaaf - Takin' It To The Streets

I have been wholeheartedly serving the Lord in full time ministry since 2000 and I am very passionate about the Father Heart of GOD and how He relates to all aspects of humanity. I come from a single parent family with 4 brothers and grew up knowing my mother wanted me to be a girl. I started using drugs and alcohol to get through the emotional scars of the world but gave my life to the Lord when I was sixteen. This service was conditional to God meeting my expectations. After a brief stint in Bible College I was asked to leave because I was so rebellious. Soon after that I went and joined the circus, came back home, tried to follow God, but kept going back to the circus. I guess elephants and tigers felt safer. After travelling on and off for years, I found myself in a distant and alone place, no family, no friends, but incredibly close to God. It was in those times, that I found myself in a special relationship with God as my Father, Jesus as my Savior, Brother, and friend, and Holy Spirit as comforter and friend. I am in charge of the mobile outreach where I minister to people on the street or in need in anyway I can. I also go into the hotels to feed lost, lonely and hungry souls with about 40 other volunteers from various church backgrounds. Together, we Take IT (God's Love) to the Streets of Lethbridge.

Send an email to Dwayne.

Mark & Val Wynder - Kidz Alive

My name is Valerie Wynder, and I have recently taken the position of Kidz Alive and Youth Director at Streets Alive. My husband Mark and I have been involved with Streets Alive for the past four or five years in both volunteer and employment capacities. We started the Day Camp program in 2005, had charge over the south side and Coalhurst bus routes for the past two years, and Mark has been leading worship at Inner Works Church service for the past four years.

Mark and I both have Education Degrees from the University of Lethbridge, both with Bachelors of Science and Bachelors of Science Education. Mark has been teaching part time at CCH lately, the school he graduated from as Valedictorian, and I have just completed my degree program and have stepped into the full time role as Children and Youth Director for Streets Alive. What a blessing to be able to use my degree in my ministry, teaching children and youth about the life changing power of Christ.

Between us, Mark and I have four brothers, two sister-in-laws and one nephew. We both grew up in Southern Alberta, and have lived in the area all our lives; living and working on farms and ranches. We are excited to take the work ethic we have developed and use it in teaching and ministry.

Send an email to Mark & Val.

Rod & Maureen Smith - Parkside Home

My name is Rod, and I have the privilege of looking after their men's facility called Parkside Home. What a blessing this has been for me. Parkside Home is a sixteen room men's home where we help men with addictions and life issues get back on their feet. We offer a weekly addictions support group called Living for Liberty, which follows a Biblically based 12 step solution to handling addictions through discussion and accountability. We get the opportunity to work with these men and see the positive changes that occur when the presence of God gets into their lives. We had a young man move in a couple of months ago who had serious alcohol and substance abuse issues. As I sat and talked with him, he became very angry, using strong profanity. But as our talk continued and I began to share the hope I had in Christ, he began to sob and told me about the abuse he endured growing up and how he had tried to commit suicide a few years ago. The very next day, he came to me asking about Christ and I led him to the Lord. It is hard to even recognize him now. He is very optimistic about life and God has opened doors of employment opportunities for him. It is incredible to see God at work with these men and what an honor it is to be a part of it. We have also started an Alpha Course for the men at Parkside Home and have opened it up to anyone who wishes to attend. The response has been phenomenal. Thank you Jesus! What an unbelievable feeling it is to be in a position to see with my own eyes the Hand of God moving over the city of Lethbridge. Praise God.

Send an email to Rod.