Make a Donation I Need Help Now

Open 24 Hours 780.539.3287

Julianna Hettema

Julianna Hettema

Julianna Hettema

780-539-3287

Hello! My name is Julianna Hettema and I am the Family Support Worker here at Sunrise House. I have been part of this team since September 2019.

My role here includes meeting youth who come into the shelter, hearing their story and helping them reconnect to family members by making achievable goals through family mediation. I am here to help provide emotional and practical support, as well as provide advice to all family members involved. I also work with families within the community to help prevent youth from leaving home. In this role, I work with families before youth feel the need for the shelter. I am available for check-ins regarding mental health concerns for parents an youth at home, supporting the family through self-care, copping mechanisms, discussing house routines and roles within a house, advocating for extra supports for your family within the community as well as discussing skills for relationship building.

I grew up in Fort Langley, British Columbia, where I developed a passion for helping others. I started as a youth volunteer in schools and a ski mountain and then worked professionally in multiple roles. Working to help others help themselves is what drew me to completing my Bachelors of Arts in Child and Youth Care at the University of the Fraser Valley. I have previously worked in gang prevention, educational support, recreational youth groups, youth independent living programs and working alongside families to help rebuild relationships. I draw on these past experiences in my position here at Sunrise House, Grande Prairie.