Meet the Team
As a non-profit, we rely heavily on our countless and kindhearted volunteers. They are invaluable in helping support the work of our small but mighty team of staff, consisting of caring and qualified professionals. While our roster of volunteers is too long to list, we’d love you to meet some of the team.
Aida Tajbakhsh, Founder & Executive Director
Aida Tajbakhsh is the founder and Executive Director of Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub, a grassroots organization built on compassion, community, and lived experience. Aida is hands-on in every program she leads—supporting people through treatment, transitional housing, food security, and frontline outreach.
Read more about Aida
Born a child refugee, Aida’s life has been shaped by resilience. She has faced poverty, racism, stigma, and judgment—but through it all, made a promise to herself: to stand by others who are often overlooked. That promise fuels her work every day.
Her connection to the homeless and addiction recovery community runs deep. For Aida, it’s not about charity—it’s about shared humanity. She believes healing begins when people are seen, supported, and offered a real chance to grow.
Aida began her studies at Simon Fraser University, but financial and personal hardships led her to step away from completing her degree. During this time, she found her calling in community service. She began working on the front lines, starting as a Shelter Resource Worker and Outreach Worker with Lookout Emergency Aid Society. These early experiences grounded her in the realities of street-level support and the deep systemic challenges people face.
Determined to strengthen her ability to serve, Aida pursued formal training in addiction support. She earned a Certificate in Addiction Prevention and Treatment in 2018 and later completed a Diploma in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counselling from the Vancouver College of Counsellor Training. She also holds an Associate of Arts in Political Science from Douglas College.
Over the years, Aida has taken on a wide range of leadership and advocacy roles, including her time as Executive Director of the Civic Iranian Canadian Youth Committee. In 2018, she founded what was originally Food for the Soul Project Society, now Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub, bringing together her lived experience, education, and vision for a more compassionate and inclusive system of care.
Today, Aida continues to lead by example—as a front-line worker, a mom, a wife, and a daughter. She believes in building spaces where people can grow, give back, and find strength in community.
“I love watching people realize their worth—whether it’s a treatment client staying clean for a week or a volunteer discovering they have something to offer. That spark keeps me going.”
“My passion is people. I want to build a space where healing, purpose, and service come together—where no one is judged for where they’ve been, only supported for where they’re going.”
Founder's Story
Bridging Worlds: Forging Connections Through Shared Humanity
Within the heart of Downtown Eastside, my unfolding journey created a bridge between the familiar realms of my past and embracing the new world around me. As a refugee navigating stereotypes in the West, the transformative moment of my first day at a shelter job revealed beauty amid challenges.
From the struggles of addiction to the experiences of the unhoused, vulnerable, and lonely, a common thread emerged – the universal pain that unites us. Amidst these shared struggles, I cultivated a profound sense of gratitude for the opportunities to grow, connect, and create spaces offering solace and acceptance.
Our projects are not tasks but a labour of love, with each day presenting new challenges met with excitement. Committed to understanding each person’s unique patterns, our support is not one-size-fits-all but tailored to individual needs, recognizing the beauty in diversity.
Our community initiatives run deep, seeking to make life bearable and reignite belief, hope, and new dreams. In this interconnected tapestry, we celebrate diversity, valuing every contribution. The systems we forge are not rigid but flexible, adapting to the unique ways each person craves love and connection with resources.
As we give back to our community, we envision a space where everyone can contribute in their own meaningful way.
This endeavour is not just work; it’s a collective effort to nurture belief, hope, and dreams for a better future – not only for our community but also for our children and all those aspiring to contribute to the beauty of a connected world.
– Aida Tajbakhesh, Founder of Fraser Valley Addictions and Recovery Hub
Dr. Pardeep Kaur Dhillon, Family Physician
Dr. Pardeep Kaur Dhillon brings over a decade of international experience in family medicine and psychiatry. She trained through the GP VTS program at Ashford and St Peter’s Hospitals London NHS Trust and completed her Basic Specialist Training in Psychiatry through the Charing Cross Training Scheme in London. She holds Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (MRCPsych). After years of practicing in the Greater London Area, she relocated to Canada and joined the Ridge Meadows Division of Family Practice in 2018. She currently serves the community through her practice at Ford Road Medical Clinic in Pitt Meadows.
Read more about Dr. Dhillon
What Dr. Dhillon values most about her work with Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub is the opportunity to bring care to those who often face barriers to treatment. During the pandemic, she introduced an innovative model of virtual appointments with touchless video screens for vulnerable patients, ensuring continued care for individuals without access to technology. Her commitment to health equity and patient-centered care continues to shape accessible and dignified healthcare in Maple Ridge and beyond.
Dr. Dhillon is deeply passionate about mental health and community wellness. Her dual training in psychiatry and family medicine gives her a unique ability to treat the whole person—mind and body. Personally, she values kindness, resilience, and making a difference where it matters most. Her work is not just a profession, but a calling to uplift others through compassion and innovation.
Anna Sanzhak, Clinical Counsellor, Psychologist, Transformational Coach, Trauma-Informed Therapist
Anna is a highly experienced clinical counsellor and psychologist with over 15 years of expertise in sport psychology, coaching, and mental health. She brings a unique and holistic perspective to mental health—integrating clinical therapy, transformational coaching, and mentoring
Read more about Anna
Anna works with a wide range of emotional and psychological challenges, including trauma, addiction, relationship issues, anxiety, and recovery from abuse. She offers a compassionate, client-centered approach, drawing on therapeutic modalities such as CBT, DBT, ACT narrative therapy, somatic based cognitive therapy, and mindful techniques. She specializes in working with women who have experienced emotional or relational abuse, helping them restore their inner strength, identity, and self-worth.
Anna is also a certified SMART Recovery facilitator, guiding individuals in addiction recovery using practical, evidence-based tools to support lasting change. Through these sessions, she empowers clients to take back control of their lives, supported by a strong foundation of self-awareness, emotional regulation, and community connection.
She is an internationally certified coach with a deep understanding of cross-cultural dynamics and has worked extensively with clients from diverse nationalities and backgrounds. This global perspective informs her inclusive, respectful, and adaptable counselling style.
Before transitioning fully into counselling and therapy, Anna spent years coaching athletes and high-performers in sport psychology. Her early career focused on mindset, motivation, and performance under pressure. That experience continues to inform her work with individuals seeking to overcome internal blocks, fear of failure, and dependency on external validation.
Anna helps clients break free from limiting beliefs, inner criticism, chronic stress, and dysfunctional relational patterns. She guides people toward clarity, personal power, and emotional freedom—aligning them with a life of authenticity and purpose.
In addition to individual therapy, Anna offers family and couples counselling, with a focus on building emotional safety, repairing connection, and supporting long-term relationship healing.
Doreena Green, Indigenous Relations and Director
Doreena Green is a proud member of the Sts’ailes, Coast Salish First Nation, and brings over a decade of experience in community support and advocacy to her role as Director of Indigenous Relations at the Fraser Valley Addictions and Recovery Hub Society.
Read more about Doreena
Deeply rooted in her culture and community, Doreena’s commitment to healing is both professional and personal. Having witnessed the impacts of addiction within her own circle of family and friends, she is passionate about supporting Indigenous individuals on their path to recovery, while fostering reconnection with traditional values, healing practices, and cultural identity.
In her spare time, Doreena finds joy and grounding in spending time with her children and grandchildren, who inspire her every day to continue this important work.
Emily B., Outreach & Volunteer Supervisor
Emily has been an integral part of Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub since June 26, 2024, beginning her journey as an Outreach and Clinic Support Worker. Now serving as the Outreach and Volunteer Supervisor, she plays a vital role in coordinating community outreach, engaging with clients, and leading volunteers with compassion and consistency.
Read more about Emily
Emily graduated with her Bachelor of Arts from Simon Fraser University in 2023, and is now currently in the final stages of completing her Social Work Degree at University of Victoria through their distance-education program.
Emily brings a thoughtful and informed approach to her work. Her educational journey has been deeply rooted in advocacy, empowerment, and cultural awareness. Prior to joining FVARH, Emily volunteered on the frontlines at the Vancouver Women’s Health Collective in the Downtown Eastside, where she supported women and non-binary individuals navigating homelessness, addiction, and complex trauma. There, she developed core skills in referral services and harm reduction, while forming meaningful relationships grounded in trust and dignity.
What Emily loves most about her work at FVARH is the opportunity to meet people where they are—offering not just support, but hope. Her passion lies in frontline and outreach work that uplifts others through empowerment, connection, and practical resources. Outside of work, Emily is a jiu jitsu athlete, strength training enthusiast, and avid reader, committed to both personal and collective growth.
Emily is a strong believer that healing is not linear—and her work reflects a deep commitment to helping others feel seen, supported, and capable of change.
Louise, Housing Coordinator & Director
With over 10 years of experience in outreach and housing support, Louise brings a wealth of knowledge in connecting clients to essential medical and housing services. Her background includes hands-on work in transitional housing programs, medical advocacy, and frontline crisis support. Louise has a strong foundation in navigating systems and building trust with individuals facing complex challenges.
Read more about Louise
What Louise loves most about working at Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub is witnessing the change and transformation in clients’ lives. She finds deep fulfillment in seeing individuals regain their footing and start thriving again. For her, it’s about more than just housing—it’s about hope. She also values the progress the team makes together, always striving to improve how they support the community.
Louise is deeply passionate about making a real difference. Her commitment to this work stems from a genuine love for the clients and a strong belief in their potential. She’s driven by the relationships she builds, the healing she witnesses, and the sense of community that grows when people are given a second chance. Louise believes that with the right support, everyone has the power to succeed.
Ryan, Clinic & Treatment Support
Ryan has been a part of Fraser Valley Addictions & Recovery Hub (formerly FFTSP) for over three years, both as a volunteer and staff member. He also brings frontline experience from his work at RainCity Housing, where he’s supported individuals through various stages of their recovery journeys.
Read more about Ryan
At FVARH, Ryan supports the clinic and treatment program, helping clients stay connected to care and stay motivated through the ups and downs. He finds the most fulfillment in watching people grow—celebrating their wins, offering steady support through setbacks, and witnessing their progress firsthand.
Outside of his work in recovery spaces, Ryan enjoys working on his car. For him, it’s not just a hobby—it’s a grounding passion that helps him recharge and stay focused.
Zoha Sultani, Director
Zoha Sultani, MN, CPN(C), NP(S)
Zoe Sultani is a dedicated nurse with a strong commitment to community health and serving diverse populations. With extensive experience in public health, perioperative care, and nursing education, she has worked directly with vulnerable groups including at-risk youth, refugee families, and marginalized communities across Toronto and abroad. Her leadership in school health initiatives, refugee care innovation, and global outreach demonstrates a deep passion for equity-focused care and community empowerment.