Kent and Sandy Dueck, Jillian, Madison, and Brock
Executive Director

Kent is one of the founders of Inner City Youth Alive and has been with the ministry since 1986. He directs the ministry, oversees the programming and raises the general operating costs.

Kent represents the ministry as he reports to our Board of Directors and Council. Kent graduated from Briercrest Bible College and is working on his Masters from Briercrest Biblical Seminary.

George and Patti Nickel, Joshua, and Caitlyn
Director of Operations

George joined ICYA full time in September 2008 as Director of Operation after 15 years of working for Home Hardware in Morris. He enjoys the hands on maintenance portion of his job, as well as, the opportunity to interact with and encourage inner city kids.

His wife Patti is an Educational Assistant at Morris School in Morris where they live. Together, they plan to serve the Lord wherever he leads and offer hope to those who have none.

James & Kim Driedger, Tristan, Tessa
Program Director

James joined our staff in January of 2010 after spending the previous six years as first a middle years teacher and then most recently as a middle school guidance counselor. James has studied Aviation at Providence College as well as completing his Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Education at the University of Manitoba.

Although moving his family from southern Manitoba to serve in the inner city of Winnipeg was not without uncertainty, James now cannot imagine doing anything else. His love for the people of the North End of Winnipeg continues to grow daily. He also feels incredibly blessed to be supported by his amazing wife Kim and two children Tristan and Tessa.

Laurie Kozak and Michael Block
Director of Development

In February 2007, Laurie started in the new Director of Development position. She plans to use her extensive experience in event planning, fundraising and marketing to raise awareness about ICYA's mission and goals in order to build relationships and increase financial support for operating and programs. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology & Justice & Law Enforcement, International Business Diploma and Special Events Coordinator certification.

She and her husband, Michael Block, also live in the community. Both have a deep desire to give back. Michael volunteers for our car club - Inner City Racing and he is a teacher at the Manitoba Youth Centre. They know firsthand the needs of the inner city.

Tracy & Steve Whitty, Melissa & Ryan
Executive Assistant

In May of 2009 Tracy was asked to take on the new position of Executive Assistant. With her years of administrative experience and the knowledge gained from the process of coming to understand inner qualities and relationships, she feels blessed to be able to serve in a role of her gifting and is thankful for the opportunities to grow and serve.

Harvey and Rhonda Rempel, Jesse & Brooklyn
Community Minister

Harvey Rempel joined our staff in 2006 after returning to Winnipeg from Fresno, CA where he was working on an M.A. in Intercultural Mission. His role at ICYA involves two main areas of focus: 1) Serving as a community minister by nurturing relationships with young adults and their families, walking along side them and sharing Christ as they struggle to transition into a new season of their lives. 2) Building bridges and fostering mutual relationships between the larger church community and the inner city. "My hope is that both the suburban church and the urban poor will meet, recognize Christ in each other, and be forever transformed by the experience."

Harvey first met Rhonda while she was helping run Youth For Christ's drop in for at-risk teens in Elmwood and together they are now learning what it means to raise their family in the inner city of Winnipeg's North End.

Andrew & Amie Reimer, Hannah, Olivia, Miriam
Community Minister

Before joining the ICYA staff team in 2009, Andrew served for eight years as a church planter and pastor of North End Community Church. Andrew and his wife Amie have lived in the North End since 2001 and enjoy building friendships with their neighbours. They are still learning how to be an incarnational presence, communicating Jesus with their lives in the neighbourhood. Now, as a community minister, Andrew is building on the experience and friendships he's gained to continue providing relationship-based support and spiritual care with youth, adults and families in the community. Andrew's work also includes speaking and writing to help people in the wider church engage with inner city issues and God's heart for 'the least of these.'

Andrew has a Bachelor of Religious Studies from Steinbach Bible College and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Winnipeg. Andrew enjoys friends, coffee, music (from Robert Johnson to Radiohead), the outdoors, books (from Dave Barry to Wendell Berry), and spending time with Amie and their three daughters.

Herb and Linda Wiebe
Job Skills Training

Herb has been a missionary in Bogota, Columbia for 4.5 years, a youth pastor for 3 years and a mission rep for 3 years. This caused him and his wife to travel extensively all over North America. Herb is now very busy at ICYA managing the work training program, where he teaches young men from the area the flooring trade. Herb is given flooring contracts through his relationship with a local flooring company, which enables him to provide on the job training and employment opportunities for the youth.

The program also provides Herb with a daily opportunity to share Christ and be a mentor. In his spare time, he enjoys curling and golf.

Janet Blatz
Kitchen Coordinator

Janet graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Global Missions from Steinbach Bible College. After volunteering with ICYA for 2 years, she joined the staff team as the Children's Ministry Coordinator and now is the Kitchen Coordinator.

She oversees all the meals served to the kids in our evening programs. "I see eating a meal not as a time to only ease hunger, but as a time where people can share in each other's lives. It is important as a community to share and find ways to make our neighborhood a healthier and beautiful place."

Jordan and Michelle Fast
Camp Program Director

Jordan graduated from the University of Winnipeg with a Bachelor of Arts degree in 2008 and since then has been working full time as Camp Program Director. Michelle is nearing the completion of her degree in Social Work from William Catherine Booth College. Between her studies, she has been a volunteer at drop-in and staff at camp for many years.

In 2005, Jordan and Michelle met while volunteering at ICYA's The Bridge drop-in and have spent working summers at Gem Lake Wilderness Camp in various roles. They were married in April of 2009 and will continue in the ministry at ICYA.

Gord & Beckie Klassen, Rachel, Josh & Naomi
Camp Director

In May 2009 Gord joined ICYA as the Wilderness Camp Director after working for 10 years at Patzer Office Equipment where he was the General Manager. Previous to beginning this fulltime position with ICYA, Gord, together with his family, spent several weeks each summer volunteering as the host family at the Gem Lake camp. Gord has also enjoyed volunteering with the Inner City Racing program since 2007.

Gord and Beckie spent almost 10 years with the Africa Inter Mennonite Mission working as dorm parents to missionary kids in a remote village in Burkina Faso, West Africa.

Scott & Debby Reimer
Out Trip Leader/ Leadership Development Coordinator

Adventurer; enjoys long canoe rides across rough lakes, kayaking through white water, and hanging hundreds of feet above the ground from a cliff, supported only, by a 10 mm rope - all in a day's work! Scott graduated from Columbia Bible College in the spring of 2009, but started volunteering with Inner City Youth Alive in 2004 and finally joined full time in November of 2009. Scott not only loves spending time in outdoor adventures, he loves sharing these adventures with youth.

Keith and Meaghan Anderson
Outreach Coordinator for The Bridge drop-in

Keith volunteered at Inner City Youth Alive for 5 years before becoming the Outreach Coordinator for the Bridge Drop-in. He really enjoys planning the activities for Thursday night drop-in, which is the children 12 and under.

While volunteering here, he attended Providence College where he got his Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Youth Leadership. Some of his hobbies include reading, socializing, connecting with kids, graffiti art and drumming. Some day he still hopes to become a writer.

Kirsten and Matthew Kroeker
Youth Outreach Worker

Kirsten has been involved with ICYA since 2002, and currently serves in the position of youth outreach worker.

She is working towards her bachelor of Youth Leadership at Providence College, and comes to us from Youth For Christ, Northern Ireland, where she ministered with at-risk youth.

Lori and Dan Neufeld
Youth Outreach Worker

Lori started at ICYA as a Drop-In volunteer in 2002 and has since joined the staff team as the Drop-In Coordinator.

She plans weekly events and Bible studies appropriate to teens and is active in empowering volunteers with time and space to build relationships with the youth.

Trish and Jason Krobel
Accountant

Trish has worked at ICYA since January 2000, primarily in the role of Accountant. She attained her designation as a Certified General Accountant (CGA) in the spring of 2007. Trish has a real heart for our youth as well, and enjoys the connections she has made with them over the years.

She is a mentor in our Teen Moms program, where we seek to provide care & support in the context of meaningful relationships.

Dean and Nancy Waldner
Program Coordinator - Inner City Racing

Dean started volunteering at ICYA in June 2006 when he helped start the Inner City Racing program. After two seasons as a volunteer Dean took on the position of Program Coordinator for Inner City Racing and Chopper Club (which began in 2004). Both programs take a hands on approach to teaching shop and mechanical skills while providing positive role models in faith and lifestyle.

Dean graduated from Horizon College in 2004 with a B.A in Pastoral Ministries. Nancy has recently completed her B.Ed. from the University of Manitoba.

Nolan & Johanna Giesbrecht
Job Skills Training

Nolan started with ICYA in the spring of 2009 after leaving Briercrest College with a degree in youth ministry. Nolan brings a great sense of humor and a compassion to help bring future hope to young men through a sense of purpose. Nolan, along with Herb Wiebe, took a role of program coordinator of the Work Skills Training Program.

"While working with these young men, we also have a great chance to show the love of Christ through our everyday actions and words."

Elesio Lasuba & Amile Moga, Arike & Kuli
Accounting Clerk

Elesio joined ICYA in April 2010 as full time Accounting Clerk, after two years of working for Eastman Immigrant Services in Steinbach as Accounting & Payroll Administrator. He is delighted to work for ICYA and to be part of the staff team.

He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Business Administration and Diploma in Accounting from Red River College.