Founder

SBCS Founder/Executive Director Lynn Ned has worked in the field of addictions for over 9 years. Always a hard worker, Lynn was working a full time job throughout the years of initial planning for Spirit Bear up until months after Spirit Bear opened its doors. Long hours during the day followed by even longer hours at night, Lynn ultimately made the choice to devote all her energy solely to SBCS.

Through her work, primarily with women, Lynn has come to learn that violence and exploitation is a grim reality that goes hand in hand with substance abuse among our young women. Having educated herself through formal training, workshops and relevant work experience she is well trained in the area of women’s struggles with the cycle of addiction. However as a woman herself, who believes in change these issues are ones that are being addressed through the new reality of Spirit Bear Center Society. Spirit Bear Center Society is the realized dream of Lynn’s that, despite the struggles, resistance and set backs she faced, now houses a future of hope for young women. This groundbreaking facility is the first of its kind to cater to young Aboriginal women, offering a year long residential treatment setting with culturally relevant healing opportunities. By addressing the common factors/traumas that contribute to a life of addictions and street entrenchment, the goal is to break the cycle and empower a generation of future leaders.