Meet Our Ministry Team
Our Youth Unlimited workers have a passion and a strong conviction.
Within and around the city of Calgary, our ministry team is working with young people and, day by day, transforming lives.
As youth workers, we drink a lot of coffee and spend intentional time with the youth that come across our path. Our hearts are invested and our lives are also transformed in the process.
Quick Fact!
Did you know that our staff fundraise 100% of their salary? Now that's passion and dedication to a calling!
Karen Livick
Interim Executive Director
bio coming soon.
MARIA FRIESEN
ASSOCIATE EXECUTIVE Director
Maria Friesen came to Youth Unlimited in 1994 as a 19 year old who accepted a dare. After spending a few nights on the streets and being immersed into the lives of street kids and sex trade workers, her naivety was shaken, eyes opened and heart softened. After volunteering for 2 years, she came on staff. Maria worked in frontline street ministry for 17 years. In 2010, she took on the role of Associate Executive Director. Maria helps lead the organization to greater impact and effectiveness. As a trusted thought partner to the Executive Director, and in collaboration with the Senior Leadership Team, provides strategic leadership to the organization's staff. maria coaches current ministry leaders and mentors new incoming ministry workers. Maria has designed our current streetlight mobile youth centre, has created the Keramiko program and is always looking for new ministry initiatives. HER IDEAL WORK WEEK, IS MIX OF FRONTLINE MINISTRY AND HELPING TO GUIDE OTHERS IN THEIR MINISTRY EFFORTS.
PARTNER WITH MARIA
Jenna Gardner
Administrative Accountant
Jenna’s journey took a profound turn when she discovered her calling in the realm for Youth Unlimited in the Spring of 2023. Born and raised in the heart of Calgary, Jenna’s early years were marked by curiosity to her global travels and a natural affinity for numbers. Her path led her to pursue her career in accounting, and over the span of two decades, she honed her skills in the corporate world combining her business acumen with her philanthropic spirit. Her commitment to representing & supporting our ministry is a direct reflection of her spiritual values. Jenna’s story is a testament to her dedication to creating positive change through networking, volunteerism, and a heartfelt support for not-for-profit organizations. Her extensive network reflects her genuine interest in people, their stories, and the causes they hold dear.
BERNIE ADAM
Youth Guidance Director
Bernie Adam joined Youth Unlimited In 1993. He had previously been working as an automotive mechanic, but he came to the realization that something was missing from his life, and he began searching for a way that he could find greater purpose. Bernie had been involved in youth ministry for years through Christian camps, youth groups, and mentorship, and these experiences pointed him towards a career in youth ministry. He felt led to take a step of faith, so he made the decision to lead the Youth Guidance program at Youth Unlimited, where he facilitates mentorship and runs sports programs for at-risk youth.
SHARON HAU
Keramiko COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
Sharon received her social work degree from the University of Calgary in 2017 and in the three years before joining Youth Unlimited, worked both in ministry overseas as well as in the secular work force. Sharon came to Youth Unlimited after looking for a way to combine these two passions into one job. She is excited about helping youth with meeting not only their immediate physical needs but also with pointing them to a hope that is eternal. Sharon was born and raised in Calgary and spends time volunteering with single moms and their families, so joining the work that YU is doing through the Keramiko program seemed like the natural fit.
LORIN FRIESEN
WORTH AUTO DIRECTOR
Lorin came to Youth Unlimited back in 1995 as part of the Campus Life team. Lorin saw how many youth were hanging out in the town of Carstairs and seemingly had nowhere to go. He approached YU with a vision to create a space that enabled the community to not only connect with kids and provide them a safe place but to provide mentorship and belonging. After 14 years of ministry, he was able to look back and see the impact his ministry had on the youth and counts it a privilege to still be connected with them and their growing families. Lorin has always had a desire to be intentional about investing into people. those who know Lorin, know that he's a child at heart. This is what brings Lorin back to youth ministry, as the Worth Auto Director, He looks forward to a new ministry challenge and finding ways to get young people plugged into the trades and help set them up for success in all aspects of their lives.
CARISSA LAWTON
StreetLight Director
Carissa joined the Youth Unlimited team in September 2018 working for StreetLight. In January 2019 she stepped into the Director position at StreetLight and hasn't looked back since. Her passion is to see young people transformed and StreetLight is the perfect avenue to see this happen. Through the work of God and her StreetLight team youth are finding a community of safety and belonging, mentorship and being empowered to create positive life changes. Carissa is so excited to oversee the direction and future of StreetLight and cannot wait to see what God has planned!
RACHEL O’NEIL
KERAMIKO COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
RACHEL JOINED THE YOUTH UNLIMITED FAMILY IN 2021 TO PARTNER WITH THE KERAMIKO PROGRAM. SHE WHOLEHEARTEDLY BELIEVES IN THE VALUE OF MENTORSHIP AND HAS EXPERIENCED FIRSTHAND THE HOPE, STABILITY AND EMPOWERMENT IT HAS OFFERED HER AS SHE BECAME A YOUNG MOM IN 2011. AS A MOM OF THREE KIDDOS HERSELF, COUPLED WITH HER YEARS AS A NANNY AND DAY-HOME OWNER SHE HAS FOSTERED A HEART FOR HEALTHY, CONNECTED FAMILIES. SHE BELIEVES PARENTING CAN BE ONE OF LIFE’S GREATEST JOYS AND HOPES TO HELP ENCOURAGE THAT FREEDOM FOR OTHER FAMILIES. SHE LOVES INTENTIONAL CONVERSATION, SUNSHINE, AND BUBBLE TEA!
TAMARA PRYCE-FISHER
Bow Valley Director/ WAKEUP DEBORAH
Tamara has been living in the Bow Valley since 2009. Fueled by her passion to see today's youth reach their full potential in Christ, she joined the Youth Unlimited team in January 2018. She hopes to change the ethos of her community by mentoring young people to grow and develop into productive members of society. By transforming one life at a time, Tamara looks forward to seeing not just a community but a generation transformed for Christ.
SARA WAGAR
Campus Life Director
Sara joined Youth Unlimited in spring of 2010. She coaches girls volleyball and basketball at her old high school and coaches girl's softball in the community. She also runs the Gym Blast program and speaks at summer camps. She appreciates the independence Campus Ministry gives her to use her skills and passions to connect with youth. She loves getting to grow and foster leadership skills as well as teamwork and sportsmanship in the girls she interacts with daily.
DOUG WAUGH
Worth Auto JOURNEYMAN MECHANIC
Doug joined Youth Unlimited in 2006. Doug became a youth worker because growing up he got into the wrong crowd and struggled in many areas of his life. After Doug became a Christian he wanted to be part of the solution and not the problem. Doug always sensed that somehow he should be using his skills as an automotive mechanic to help youth but never could quite figure out exactly how to do that, until he found the Worth Auto program. Worth Auto has given Doug the “vehicle”, so to speak, to put his skills to work in a different way. By using his mechanical skills and knowledge, along with his desire to help kids find their way in life, Doug has found the perfect career path.
Ross andresen
campus life COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
Throughout Ross' life, he always went to church from when he was a kid to when he was a teenager. He didn't do it for himself or his relationship with God, but rather for his parents. During high school, Ross started asking bigger questions regarding his belief system. In that process, he met a Youth Unlimited worker, who at the time was also his small group leader at church. There was something different about that youth worker that he could not put his finger on but Ross knew he wanted whatever that was. Through spending time with the Youth Unlimited worker, Ross realized that it was this worker's strong relationship with God that made him stand out. After experiencing a sincere faith that was now his own, Ross decided that he too wanted to be in a place of spiritual influence. Joining Youth Unlimited Calgary brings him around full circle.
KYRA LABONTE
Keramiko COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
New to the Calgary area, Kyra joined Youth Unlimited in the SPRING OF 2023 to serve on the Keramiko team. Growing up in an amazing, connected, and loving family played an integral role in her development of personal relationships and placed a high value on the importance of the family unit and engaged parents in a young person’s life. Thanks to some incredible Godly women and men in her life, she also experienced firsthand how gospel-centered mentorship can direct the trajectory of a young person’s life which led her to a deeper relationship with Christ. She has experience working alongside youth and young adults coming from various walks of life, including at-risk and homeless youth and persons with disabilities. After finishing her schooling and searching for meaningful work to take part in, God directed her to the Keramiko program where she combines her passion for sharing Christ with those around her, strengthening the family unit, and building deep and meaningful relationships with others. She enjoys spending her spare time staying active, exploring God’s creation, and adventuring with her husband.
Marjorie heide
Grant Writer & Stewardship Advisor
Marjorie joined Youth Unlimited in 2021 as a part-time grant writer and stewardship advisor. She has a strong commitment to serving youth by securing resources that will make a lasting impact on the lives of the young individuals that we're privileged to serve through Youth Unlimited. Her experience and training cover diverse sectors in the areas of business administration, fundraising, and ministry. Her approach to grant writing is rooted in understanding every young person's potential and she has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of faith in their lives. This belief fuels her dedication to finding funding opportunities that align with our mission, allowing us to expand our reach. Beyond grant writing, Marjorie places a strong emphasis on stewardship and expressing gratitude for support. Building strong connections can foster a community of stakeholders who share our vision for empowering youth and sharing the message of God’s love.
TESSA McAllister
Station One Eight COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
Tessa moved to Calgary from Ontario at the end of 2022 and IS LOOKING TO JOIN THE YOUTH UNLIMITED TEAM. Tessa graduated from Child and Youth Studies at Brock University and was involved in her church’s youth group in 2022 which really sparked her passion for youth to genuinely know Christ. Since her move, she was ready for a job change and through prayer, new friends and connections, God was tugging at her heart to go into ministry. Having worked in various coffee shops over the years and at Starbucks up until her transition to Youth Unlimited, Tessa was very excited to be able to combine her passions for youth and coffee in a ministry setting with Station One eight
BRIAN DENNIS
STREETLIGHT COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
Brian received his bachelor’s degree in Theology and Youth Ministry from Ambrose University in 2023 and is looking to join the Youth Unlimited team. Brian previously served in various ministry backgrounds, including churches, bible camps, and non-profit organizations. Feeling God’s call to seek out those that are the furthest from the Kingdom, Brian was attracted to the Street Light program and the service that it provides to the lost and unseen. Brian is passionate about helping youth to understand their rightful identity as loved and cherished children of God, and is excited to see lost children enter into the Kingdom where they belong.
BRYCE NEUFELD
STREETLIGHT & STATION ONE EIGHT COMMUNITY YOUTH WORKER
After graduating high school, Bryce went to Sweden for a short term Bible school program. Although he went expecting to learn more about God, he didn’t expe ct to experience such an impact on his life as he did. Leaving Sweden, Bryce knew that he needed to live an alive and active faith in Christ, although he had grown up a Christian. That summer, Bryce worked at a Bible camp to have that alive and active faith. After camp he got involved with his local Church’s youth group and also started volunteering at a homeless shelter in Saskatoon, which led him to do an internship there as well. Through all of these experiences, Bryce started to see the areas that God has gifted him in and a passion for ministry was being stirred up. At the end of 2023, Bryce moved to Calgary and felt God’s call to continue serving Him, specifically through the ministries at Youth Unlimited. Bryce is excited to join the team, focusing on StreetLight and Station One Eight.
Meet Our Incoming Team Members
The following staff candidates are excited to join our team and are currently in the process of raising their financial support.
Each of our staff raises 100% of their salary income. We invite you to prayerfully consider how you might be able to partner with them today so that they too, can join the ministry of Youth Unlimited as an official staff member.
your name here!
Ministry is calling
If you want to join a team that is passionate about transformed youth transforming our city, you’ve come to the right place! Consider joining the Youth Unlimited team as a ministry youth worker as we serve and engage young people and their communities in meaningful ways. We invite you to read about our ministry opportunities and see where you might best fit in.
Meet Some of Our Program Lead Volunteers
The following team members are volunteers who take a lead role in running a ministry program as a gift of service.
Anna Espinolda
WakeUP Deborah lead volunteer
Anna came to youth unlimited in the winter of 2022 and gave calgary a new goal, to inspire the women of greater calgary to commit to a lifestyle of prayer. Anna works as a biologist in Calgary but among many of her talents and abilities, her heart is for the lord stands out. Anna’s goal is to equip and enable women to intentionally set time aside to pray for our children and youth. to see a generation committed to god. anna leads the wakeup deborah volunteer team leads, works to inspire churches and groups of women to gather to pray, and has become an essential part of the youth unlimited calgary team.
