Engaging With Community to Build a Strong Future
Established in 1978, the SPEC Association for Children & Families, began as a fee-for-service program with Alberta Social Services and Community Health. Since SPEC’s incorporation in 1979, the programs have continued to grow and offer services for children and families under the guidance and leadership of dedicated board members, staff, and volunteers.
The SPEC Association offers a continuum of services providing information, family supports and community connection through a positive and welcoming environment. This includes a central hub of information and navigational services for all people in Brooks and within the County of Newell, connecting clients with the right information and services to assist them to increase their capacity to deal with life challenges. SPEC also provides services that support the needs of children and their families.”
Our Mission
Empowering people with information, family supports and community connection.
Our Vision
A thriving community of resilient individuals and families
Our Annual Report
2022 -2023 Report | click to view
Our Annual Report
2021 -2022 Report | click to view
Our Annual Report
2020 -2021 Report | click to view
We Value
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Respect: SPEC values all people as individuals who will be treated with dignity in an environment that is open-minded and non-judgmental
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Empowerment: We value encouraging the development of self-reliance and resiliency through support and advocacy
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Community Contribution and Involvement: We value building relationships with other agencies, programs and resources in the community to better serve children and families.
We Believe
ALL PEOPLE…
- • have a right to:
- • well being
- • be safe
- • be heard
- • have hope
- • have the capacity to change
- • need positive relationships
Board of Directors and Our Management Team
Roberta Rogers
Board Chair
About Roberta
I have lived in Brooks for almost 40 years. I spent the bulk of my 35+ year career working in the Addictions field before becoming the Clinical Supervisor for Alberta Health Services Addictions and Mental Health. I was raised on a farm outside Lethbridge and come from a close knit family. I hold a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Lethbridge; a Master of Education Degree specializing in Adult and Community Education from the University of Calgary and a Master’s Degree in Business Administration from Robert Kennedy College in Zurich Switzerland. I hope by sharing some of my background you can see I believe in lifelong learning and the importance of family and community in helping support people be healthy. I have joined the SPEC board because I think this organization shares these same values and as an organization SPEC continues to grow and evolve.
Tim Peters
Vice Chair
About Tim
I am a registered massage therapist who co-owns and operates Brooks In Touch Therapy. I am originally from Manitoba and have a background in farming and management. I moved to Brooks with my family officially in 2021.
In my spare time I enjoy spending with my wife and three little boys, always up for adventure. I also enjoy making creative pieces of furniture with wood and spending time with dogs and horses.
September Plumer
Treasurer
About September
I have lived in the Brooks/Duchess area for most of my life. I have a Bachelor of Science in Production & Operations Management, a Chartered Professional Accountant designation, and recently completed a Master of Business Administration. I joined SPEC’s board to offer my skillset in a not-for-profit setting and because I see the value SPEC brings to the community. In my free time, I enjoy quilting, reading, and participating in Toastmasters.
Lisa Patton
secretary
About Lisa
I moved to Brooks 14 years ago with my young family. Soon after we each made our first new friends in a SPEC program! I’m passionate about quality programs that meet community needs. I’m eager to share my excitement and experience in board-level efficiencies including Strategic Planning and policy development.
Catherine Siakaluk
Director
About Catherine
Catherine Siakaluk serves as the Communications Officer for the County of Newell. With a Masters degree in Communication & Leadership, she brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to the role. Catherine’s professional journey took her through the realms of corporate Economic Development and then into the non-profit sector, offering her a diverse background to draw upon in her current role.
Born and raised in Calgary, Catherine moved to Brooks In May of 2023, and is loving small town life in the prairies. Beyond her professional commitments, Catherine is a proud mother to four mostly grown children. As she navigates the joys and transitions of the ‘Empty Nest’ phase, her love for the prairies and dedication to effective communication remains constant.
Chelsea Opperman
Program Manager- SPEC Hub (FRN)
About Chelsea
Chelsea joins SPEC after previously working at Grasslands Public Schools for 16 years as the Prevention and Education Wellness Mentor, developing and delivering specialized universal programs to all of the schools within the district for Kindergartens to Grade 11. She was a member of various community committees, sat on volunteer boards and collaboration projects throughout Brooks and area. She has also worked closely with the Canadian Centre for Child Protection bringing the Kids in the Know program and Commit to Kids resources to children, families and our community.
Chelsea was born and raised in Brooks and continues to live here with her family. Some of her passions include child safety, resilient children and youth, healthy relationships, and building community connections. Chelsea looks forward to continuing to grow connections and promote positive well-being with children and families within Brooks and the County of Newell!
Xin Zhang
PROGRAM MANAGER- NEWCOMER SERVICES
About Xin
Xin continues at SPEC in her new position as LINKS Newcomers Services Manager. She spent the last nine years as a Settlement Worker in Schools and most recently as the SWIS team coordinator. Before her time at SPEC, Xin worked in Human Resources at JBS Food Canada and in an executive/senior management role for 10 years in China. In her home country, Xin had extensive experience managing a large number of staff and the responsibility for multi-million dollar budgets.
Xin has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration as well as first hand understanding the newcomer experience. She has been in Canada for over 13 years- with her husband and two children.
Xin looks forward to continuing to work with the local community and serving SPEC’s great clients!
Jennifer Scholz
PROGRAM MANAGER- PCAP
About Jennifer
Jen joined the PCAP program at SPEC with over 15 years of experience working in non-profit and support-based organizations in Brooks and region.
Growing up in a rural community near Brooks and starting her own family in the same community, she has established deep roots and a growing passion for Brooks and the rural communities surrounding it. She strives to empower families with the tools and community connections they need to navigate life feeling supported.
Jen believes strongly in the PCAP model of building relationships by meeting participants where they are at and assisting them to create the life they want.
Our Funders
