Jenny Tse – Office Coordinator
she/her/hers
Ext. 0

Jenny has been working at RASS since January 2007. She was first hired as a receptionist for the Youth and Family program and became the Office Coordinator in the year of 2011. She performs administrative support functions to support the management and the staff team.

Jenny is a long-term Richmond resident staying with her husband and son. Outside of her work, she loves to meet with friends and families. She likes jogging, walking, and listening to soothing music.

Jade Ye – Accounting Administrator
she/her/hers
Ext. 104

Jade was born in China and came to Canada 15 years ago. Jade has both science and financial backgrounds, and she is passionate about helping people and has worked in charities for more than 5 years.

As a CPA designated in 2013, Jade always tries to maximize the company benefits under the rules and principals. Jade was so excited to start her new career as an accounting administrator in RASS in June, 2021. She does full cycle accounting services and prepares for all the budgets and financial reports internally and externally.

Jade appreciates what she has and tries her best everyday. She loves study, music, dancing, nature, travel, badminton, soccer, religion, traditional and multi-culture, etc.

Sandra K. – Prevention Specialist
she/her/hers
Ext. 132

Sandra is a UBC graduate, with a passion in supporting young adults experiencing a combination of emotional and/or psychiatric problems in addition to problematic substance use. She is also passionate about addressing treatment gaps for clients and creating, supporting, and delivering service(s) that are responsive to individual’s diverse needs.

Outside of work, Sandra loves doing Pilates, reading, and spending time with loved ones.

Alvin Li – Prevention Specialist
he/him/his
Ext. 118

Alvin is the newest prevention specialist at RASS, but he is not a stranger to the Richmond Community. Alvin has been a part of and working in Youth Development in Richmond for over 20 years. He is passionate about building and developing positive assets in the community and ensuring that the community is healthy and vibrant.

Alvin enjoys the outdoors and being with his family and can often be found biking around Richmond on the dykes or hiking a trail.

Gabrielle Cometa – Prevention Worker
she/her/hers, they/them/theirs
Ext. 108

Gabby is a Filipino-Canadian who was born in Vancouver in 1995, then moved to Richmond in 2007. She has worked with the agency as a School’s Out leader since 2017 and became a full time prevention worker in July 2021. She has spent a lot of time developing and delivering programming for afterschool children and becoming involved as a youth leader with Foundry. Now she applies her skills agency-wide by helping with all of the programs and committees within RASS.

As someone with ADHD and has a sister on the autism spectrum, Gabby strives to advocate for neurodivergent people, particularly youth, and incorporates her passion for accommodation and self-acceptance into her work. Main interests include but are not limited to art, creativity, video games, whimsy, exploring, learning, nature, and rats. Lots of rats.

Jian Gatchalian – Prevention Worker
she/her/hers
Ext. 107

Jian has been in a number of roles with RASS since February 2018; she started out as a Receptionist, then a Youth Peer Support Worker, and is now a Prevention Worker as of November 2021. You’ll find her involved in multiple programs such as School’s Out, CATS, and Supporting Families, as well as out in the community presenting to youth about local supports, addiction prevention, and the importance of making positive connections in all areas of life.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending some quality time with a book or movie/show, taking a walk, or eating some good food with loved ones.

Luke Barbour – Supporting Youth Prevention Worker
he/him/his
Ext. 105

Luke is relatively new to the Lower Mainland, having grown up and spent most of his life on Vancouver Island. Luke has either worked or volunteered in supporting youth for over 15 years. Having experienced the benefit of having trusting adults in his life when he was a teen, he wants to offer that to other teens who need it. He is passionate about giving youth a voice, helping youth live empowered lives, and having a sense of community.

In his spare time, Luke likes to make time for family, watch hockey, read, and go for runs.

Sandy Zhang – Supporting Families Clinician
she/her/hers
Ext. 133

Sandy was born and raised in China. She earned her MA degree in marriage and family therapy in the USA, and specializes in working with children on different behavioral issues and supporting the caregivers with parenting skills. She and her family moved to Richmond recently.

Sandy sees the connections between parents and children essential to the healthy development of children and the wellbeing of everyone in the family. Sandy uses person/child-centered and strength-based approaches to empower both the children and their caregivers. She believes the parents who never stop growing themselves are the best parents children could have. “It’s not about what you do; it’s about what you do after what you have done.” 

In her spare time, Sandy likes to try new food and visit new places with her husband and two (nearly) teenage children; she also enjoys painting, reading by herself and volunteering in community activities.

Renu Bains – Activity Worker
she/her/hers

Renu is a UVic graduate with a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and a post-degree diploma in mental health and addictions. She was born and raised in Richmond, and as the newest member of the team, Renu joined the School’s Out program as an activity worker. She is eager to work on addressing the needs of the youth in the community by helping to foster coping, resilience, and interpersonal skills in addition to emphasizing the joy and novel experiences that the School’s Out program brings.

Outside work, Renu enjoys spending time with family and friends, crocheting, going for neighborhood strolls, and watching movies/tv.

Lauryn Murray – Activity Worker
she/her/hers

Lauryn joined RASS in 2022 as an activity worker for the School’s Out program. Aside, she is a UBC graduate with a bachelor of arts’ in psychology and is aiming to pursue a career in psychology. Being born and raised in Richmond, Lauryn is enthusiastic to help RASS address any community youth needs. From this, she is passionate to help youth build a healthy identity by engaging in positive connections and gaining skills through valuable experiences. As a curious and open person, she is interested in different learning styles and being able to have a creative approach with teaching strategies that can help foster a safe learning environment. 

In her spare time, she likes going for walks, spending time with family and friends, and holiday baking.

Natalie Caras – Youth Peer Support Worker
she/her/hers, they/them/theirs

Natalie has been an active member of the Richmond community for their entire life, and she is now one of the Youth Peer Support Workers with Foundry through RASS. After experiencing the many gaps in the mental health/healthcare system, Natalie realized how important it is for youth to have accessible, non-judgemental mental health and substance use services, that encourage personal growth and open dialogues on a variety of topics. Being able to support youth in a non-clinical, more casual setting, is a passion of theirs, and knowing that she is able to lower the barriers of social services for youth allows her to love her position with Foundry through RASS.

Other than peer advocacy, Natalie enjoys taking long naps, petting/playing with animals, staying active/confident with heels dance, and eating many different appetizers at the same time.

Sujan Sivanathan – Youth Peer Support Worker
he/him/his

Sujan was born in Toronto Ontario in 1994 to parents of Sri-Lankan descent. The family moved to British Columbia when Sujan was just 4 years old. After a brief time in Vancouver, Sujan’s parents decided to move to Richmond, and he has spent all his life in this city ever since.

After several volunteer opportunities in his community growing up, Sujan realized his passion for working with people and decided to pursue role with RASS as a Prevention Worker in August 2021. In this position Sujan works with his colleagues to help run the School’s Out Program at Blundell Elementary School. This program offers a healthy, safe, and educational space to elementary school students with the aim of increasing their self-confidence through mentorship, social support, and of course (Sujan’s personal favorite), physical activity! When Sujan isn’t working at RASS, you can find him at the gym, training his clients as a personal trainer!