Our Team
Meet the North East Gaming Support Team.
KIRA KURKA, MSW, RCC
Kira Kurka is a Registered Clinical Counsellor with a Masters in Social Work; she makes up the Counselling portion of the triad that is North East Gaming Support. Originally from the Okanagan, Kira has made her home in Dawson Creek for the past 8 years, and has developed a love and passion for the area and the people. As is evident in all her work, Kira has a passion for filling a need where people have been previously left wanting. Kira is grateful to be apart of the North East Gaming Support program, and the opportunity to serve northern communities who deserve to have access to this program and treatment, if needed.
Kira has a love for travel, camping, and all things sports and outdoors. She spends her free time exploring the north with her husband and two boys.
MARTHA FUNK
Martha Funk provides Prevention and Education Services for North East Gaming Support. She comes to this work with certifications as a Gambling Information Specialist, Indigenous Addictions Specialist Level 3, and a registered social worker. Her greatest passion is to support and educate the public on mental health and addiction supports and to help individuals that struggle with trauma.
Martha was raised on a cattle and grain farm outside of Fort St. John, and enjoys a full family life with her partner in crime, four adult children, a horse, dog and a cat.
In her spare time, you can find Martha pursuing her passion for health and exercise, by weight training, biking, riding her horse, and motorcycling.
HEATHER PADDISON, BSW
Heather Paddison serves as a part of the organization’s Gambling Outreach Support, which seeks to help people connect with their community. Heather believes that no matter the state of an individual’s current relationship with gambling, personal connection will increase their overall wellness. Her passion is to walk alongside these folx and connect them with solid resources, while reducing barriers to service. She also advocates for change within systems that marginalize and disadvantage individuals, in order to make communities more equitable.
In addition to owning and operating businesses, Heather has lived and raised her family in NEBC for over 25 years. As a social worker, she is deeply committed to the health of her community. When she isn’t working, Heather enjoys camping, gardening, and frolicking with her chickens in the summer, as well as the coziness of hibernating in winter.