Agassiz-Harrison Community Services has welcomed a new executive director.
Effective June 10, Diane Janzen will take the AHCS helm. Janzen has more than 30 years of experience in management and non-profit organizations. She is the former executive director of Chilliwack Community Services for several years, leading a group of staff to deliver 36 programs for more than 12,000 people. The programs range from food security to youth programs to help for seniors and beyond.
A recent highlight from Janzen’s time with CCS was the opening of the Paramount Project, a landmark affordable housing project for Chilliwack.
Janzen has served as a trustee for Chilliwack School District 33 and as a councillor for the city of Chilliwack. She ran for MLA in Chilliwack in 2020 as a Conservative candidate.
Janzen was the chief administrative officer for the Sqwá First Nation and prides herself on her commitment to working with First Nations in the spirit of reconciliation.
In a statement, Janzen said she looks forward to working with AHCS staff and volunteers in delivering a wide array of services to the area.
“(AHCS) is ideally positioned to build on its success because of its solid financial management and program excellence, paving the way for expansion of its services into areas like housing where there is such a need,” Janzen stated.
AHCS is centrally located at 7086 Cheam Avenue in Agassiz. For decades, the non-profit organization has hosted a variety of programs for children, youth, family support services, senior citizens and those struggling with substance use. The services brought to Agassiz-Harrison and beyond by AHCS include the local food bank, United Way’s Better At Home program and transportation services.