Our Vision

Our Story

We are all connected. A personal relationship, a comparable experience or simply living in the same community, our circles may run parallel and never touch, intersect one or two times, or blend together on a continual basis. Whether direct connections or indirect links, we want you to find collaborators and supporters to help you unlock your potential and build the foundation for resilience. 

Some Other Solutions is a Society for Crisis Prevention. We are a proactive community, here to empower you to be your best self. To be confident through chaos and to help you find the strength within to not only be empowered yourself, but to spread that feeling to others at the same time. 

It’s your life to control. We will help you. Let’s be the solution together.

Our Mission

Some Other Solution empowers and supports the diverse families and individuals of the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo by providing a holistic approach in overcoming life’s challenges through accessible counselling and outreach services.

Our Core Values

• Guidance: resilience is the key to a person engaging with meaningful life

• Building a strong community: united neighbourhoods are built on the acceptance of all individuals

• Diversity: a provision of equal opportunities is a right, not a privilege

Our History

1986 - Some Other Solutions Society for Crisis Prevention originally operated by the Family and Community Support Service, with a focus on suicide awareness and prevention.

1986 - The same year, Some Other Solutions is established as a separate society with funding from the Province of Alberta.

1987 - The helpline (now Crisis Line) was established. The first year, there were approximately 106 calls per month.

1988 - The Growing Grief Program (now Health and Wellness Program) is established to provide support for individuals who have suffered a loss. The Teen Line is also added.

1990 - The health line is expanded with support from the Wild Rose Foundation. Service is now available in many remote areas of North Eastern Alberta.

1997 - The Students Assisting Students Program (now Child and Youth Program) was formed to support teens in the region. The service also expanded to include a Mentoring Program. 

2018 - Some Other Solutions relocates to a new storefront location on Franklin Avenue, in the heart of downtown Fort McMurray.

2020 - In March 2020, during the global Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Some Other Solutions flipped all of their services to be provided in virtual form to continue to support the community.

ping zhang, executive director
She/Her

A natural at building community partnerships, Ping brings over 15 years of experience with child development and early years in a non-profit organization in Mississauga, and then as a success coach in a high school where her work focused on universal supports towards wellness, success with learning goals, suicide prevention, addictions, social and emotional learning to students, and the promotion of Mental Health. Ping has a Master of Arts degree with a concentration in Community Music from Wilfrid Laurier University, ECE Diploma and a registered AB Level - 3 Early Years Childhood Educator, experienced in child welfare environment, relationship building, community development, conducting assessments, and program administration. Her hobby is playing music and has performed in orchestras and symphonies globally. When she isn't working, she teaches music.

JERRICA HIGDON, EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
She/Her

Born and raised in Fort McMurray, Jerrica brings a decade of dedicated experience in the housing sector to her role at SOS. Over the course of ten years in her professional career, she honed skills in project management, stakeholder relations, and strategic planning. With a heart deeply rooted in serving others, in 2021 I embarked on a transformative journey that led her to the inspiring realm of non-profit work with Some Other Solutions. As the Executive Assistant, she channels her extensive experience to provide critical support in streamlining operational processes.

paula caines, mental health counsellor
she/Her

A registered social worker with a Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology, Paula has been practicing in Fort McMurray for more than 20 years and has a passion for the therapeutic process. She supports clients on their life journey in dealing with mental health struggles, life transitions, family issues and more. Paula offers a person-centred, non-judgemental approach using a variety of modalities including Emotionally Focused, Cognitive Behavioural, EMDR, and Mindfulness-based approaches. She is a Substance Abuse Professional (SAP) and offers assessment and recovery support services for those who struggle with substance use/abuse.

JUDITH FRIESEN, MC, CCC, RSW, Mental health COUNSELLOR
She/Her

Judith has more than 30 years’ of experience in Human services including, foster care, adoptions, life transition issues, youth at risk, and trauma. She has also worked with rural communities as a school counsellor. Her areas of focus include: PTSD, post-traumatic stress, child and youth, life transitions, stress, and relationships. She uses the following approaches: Eye Movement Desensitizing and Reprocessing (EMDR), Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT), Mindfulness, Family systems, strength and attachment based. She has a Masters of Counselling (MC), is a Certified Canadian Counsellor (CCC), and is a Registered Social Worker (RSW).

Hailey fraser, community outreach worker
SHE/HER

Born in British Columbia and raised in Fort McMurray, Hailey’s background is in the field of psychology. She is a passionate advocate for mental health and youths in the community. Helping children become their ideal self is Hailey’s goal, and she believes that every child can reach their full potential with support and guidance from a trusted, caring individual.

LAURIE JUHLIN, community helpers program coordinator
SHE/HER

Born and raised in Ontario, Laurie has been a resident of Fort McMurray since 2018 and has been in the “helping” field for more than 13 years. She has a diploma in Drug and Alcohol Counselling and a certificate in Child and Adolescent Mental Health. Laurie is currently finishing her Bachelor of Science in Psychology. Laurie is deeply passionate about promoting mental wellbeing and supporting individuals in their journey towards recovery.

The Board of Directors at Some Other Solutions is a team of individuals bringing exceptional skills, vision and experience from a variety of backgrounds. They guide the strategic direction, governance and accountability of Some Other Solutions.

Chair

Bernie Boyes
He/Him

Bio coming soon

Vice Chair

Angela Maxson
She/Her

Angela is born and raised in Fort McMurray , she is Cree and a member of Mikisew Cree First Nation. Fort McMurray is where she and her husband have chosen to raise their 4 daughters and join the family business. Angela has a background in Social Work, is an active community based facilitator and Entrepreneur. Her focus is to build up the strengths of First Nations individuals, families, and communities by supporting family values and culture using the principles of respect, trust, self-determination and commitment. She is currently working with Ihkapaskwa Indigneous Wellness Collective as a Auntie Support Worker.

Treasurer

Adair Thompson, P.Eng
He/Him

Adair has called Fort McMurray home since 2012 when he moved here with his wife Maggie and two children. He joined the board in August 2016 to help support the organization’s mission at a time of need in the community.

Adair is a professional engineer working at Suncor and studying for his MBA at the University of Alberta. He enjoys spending time with his family and cheering from the stands for his two young hockey players.

Partnerships are at the core of what we do at Some Other Solutions. We are a proactive community, working together to advocate for and support our neighbours.

Thank you to the following partners and community groups who directly support our work:

United Way Wood Buffalo and Fort McMurray

United Way Fort McMurray and Wood Buffalo is 100% local! We transform peoples lives, while working to build a brighter future for each and every one of our community members.

Alberta Health Services

Alberta Health Services (AHS) is responsible for promoting wellness and providing health care services across the province.

Annual Reports

• Annual Reports

• Coming soon!