meet the team

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 Founder & President

Kendall Hinds has been in recovery for nearly a decade now and has a passion to help others within the community struggling with addiction. Like others, Kendall struggled with finding self-worth, purpose and self-acceptance. He struggled with addiction for many years and became someone he no longer recognized. Thankfully after attending detox and then completing the inpatient program at Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) he was given a chance to finally start a journey of healing. Kendall has helped create and build other support groups within Winnipeg. As an alumni of AFM Kendall shares his story of hope and healing to current AFM clients regularly. Kendall loves creating and cares about the details, as a builder he fell in love with buying old houses and restoring them back to life. Unbeknownst to Kendall, a big part of his healing was seeing the transformation of an undesirable home and with his own hands creating a home that had value again. He found peace and relaxation being a builder and building with his hands. After a number of years restoring homes he was able to take his passion for real estate and his passion for recovery and combine the two, creating sober living housing for those in need. When not at work, Kendall spends time with his loving wife Carly and their two young boys Beckston & Wellsley. As a new father he has found value, purpose and even more meaning within his life. Kendall has also been a drummer for most of his life and enjoys the Winnipeg music scene.

Vice President

Sean Miller is no stranger to mental health and addictions support and advocacy. After a 15-year battle with severe and persistent mental illness, he abandoned his pursuit of a promising career in music to focus on creating long and lasting change within the healthcare system. Attempting to inspire hope and provide information for individual's families and healthcare providers, he and his wife, Doris, filmed a 48-minute documentary on his recovery from schizophrenia that features several renowned subject matter experts www.vimeo.com/161329656. 

From board and advisory committee memberships, to serving as the Executive Director of two mental health charities, Sean is known for his collaborative approach to program innovation and keen ability to operationalize vision. At the centre of his core values is his tenacious support of the right to full participation in society for people with mental health and addictions challenges based on the belief that recovery is possible for all.

During his tenure as an Executive Director, Sean led a team that worked with provincial government, policymakers, and health professionals to establish and expand Manitoba’s first values/strengths-based and clinically integrated peer support workforce. Relevant to Bridging the Gap Sober Living, Sean has operated a 31-unit housing complex comprised of emergency, short, and long-term apartments for people with lived experience of mental health and addictions challenges. 

Sean currently joyfully serves as the Associate Program Director of CAN WiN at Open Door Group – an organization dedicated to opening doors to well-being through sustainable and meaningful employment for all. 

When not at work, Sean spends time with his lovely wife, mountain biking, cooking, volunteering at his church, songwriting, and recording drums and vocals in his home studio.

Housing Coordinator  

Ashton Kowalchuk is our Housing Coordinator as well as a House Manager. He has been in recovery now for over a year and brings so much value connecting with the clients within the program. Ashton has been incarcerated and was heading down a path of destruction due to his addiction. After completing his jail sentence he then entered into the inpatient program at Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM) where he was able to start rebuilding his life. He has completed his parole and is now working full-time. Ashton has had to face many challenges along the way but continues to overcome them. Ashton has a passion for design and working with his hands. He loves restoring furniture and creating unique pieces. Music is also a passion as he enjoys playing drums. Ashton is also a proud father of his beautiful daughter Willow, who he adores.