Our Team

Peter came to Newgate 180 with a wealth of experience in leading complex organizations, including in the healthcare, correctional and community service sectors.

His leadership credentials include being the Executive Director of Southbridge/Kemptville Long Term Care, where he successfully oversaw the delivery of clinical and operational services for a facility housing 160 residents. Peter also brings a strong background in mental health and addiction care, having developed a comprehensive mental health and addiction strategy during his time as a Warden at the Vancouver Island Regional Correctional Centre.

Peter holds a Master’s of Applied Criminology from the University of Ottawa, an Honours Bachelor of Arts – BA, Social Sciences from McGill University and a Diploma-Collegiate Studies-DEC, Social Sciences from Vanier College.

“I am very pleased to serve as the Executive Director at Newgate 180 Addiction Rehab Centre. Several of our residents have commented to me recently on how incredibly transformative their experience has been here at Newgate 180. This is clearly a reflection of the exceptional work our staff do every day and the difference they make in the lives of the people we serve.

 

As your ED, I will be fully engaged with local leadership, staff, persons served, families, the community and the Board to continue this exceptional work, and position Newgate 180 as a centre of excellence in the field of addictions solutions.”

As co-founder of Newgate 180, Peter’s extensive experience and background in program development have been molded over more than 36 years in residential treatment of addictions. A graduate of Algonquin College’s Substance Abuse Counselling program, Peter has developed and implemented many successful multi-module programs designed to meet the specific needs of individual clients. Peter played a lead role at the James Street Recovery Program, where he developed the relapse prevention process with continuing care components. He has also worked with the Rideauwood Institute in Ottawa in their Parent and Teen program.

Bringing awareness and transparency to addiction in the workplace has been a passionate quest for Peter as he created, delivered and implemented addiction education and training programs both publicly and corporately. Peter has demonstrated throughout his long-tenured career, an unwavering commitment to finding addiction solutions. His respectful and compassionate approach to treatment, which sits as the foundation for the Newgate 180 mission, is the result of Peter’s highly intuitive and nurturing nature.

“Substance abuse has become an epidemic that destroys individuals, relationships and families. It is the major cause of workplace accidents and deaths and domestic and child abuse, yet substance abuse treatment continues to be underfunded. Providing immediate treatment for people suffering and ensuring that they are being treated with dignity and respect is not only extremely important work, but it has been truly rewarding.”

Melissa has been on the Newgate 180 team for over 10 years and is often the first point of contact when first calling Newgate 180. With her background in counselling and her current position in management, she is able to help potential clients, and their loved ones, understand more about the program at Newgate 180 and answer any questions they may have.

Melissa holds an Addictions and Community Service Diploma. She also has up-to-date CPR and First Aid, ASIST Suicide Prevention and Non Violent Crisis Intervention training.

“After facing addiction in my personal life for many years, I decided to go to school to become an Addictions and Community Service Worker. Soon after graduating, I began working at Newgate 180 as an Addictions Counsellor and continued in that role for five years. I transitioned from a Counsellor to Office Manager. Although I decided to take a break from counselling, I have continued to work at Newgate for the past 10 years because I love the atmosphere, the staff and the amazing clients I get to interact with every single day. I truly couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”

As Newgate 180’s Administrative Assistant, Abbi provides administrative support to the Operations Manager and Executive Director. In her role, Abbi plays a vital role in day-to-day operations by supporting the communication, organization and overall efficiency of Newgate 180.

Abbi is working towards an Honours Bachelor in Psychology with a concentration in Forensics from Carleton University.