The Board Behind Place of Refuge
Your belief in the power of second chances fuels us.
Place of Refuge is governed by a dedicated Board of Directors who are passionate about our mission and bring a wealth of experience in various sectors.
Garry Janzen
Garry Janzen
Since the inception of Place of Refuge, I have faithfully served on its board, with the first board meeting in 2004. This marks over 20 years of committed service.
My journey began while I was pastoring at Sherbrooke Mennonite Church, where I encountered men struggling with substance addiction and living in challenging conditions. Recognizing their need for safe housing and support to stabilize their lives, I became deeply motivated to helping these individuals. My initial involvement with these men started in 1998, and this mission continues to be my passion to this day.
With a pastoral heart for the residents of Place of Refuge, I am one of the Bible study leaders. My 38 years of experience in church leadership, serving as both a pastor and Executive Minister of Mennonite Church British Columbia, provide me with extensive leadership expertise and valuable insights. This background allows me to effectively lead the board as its chair. My approach is rooted in love and relational dynamics, influencing how I lead and interact with fellow board members and our Executive Director, Jeff Borden. These are also the guiding principles of how Place of Refuge operates.
My higher education includes: a Master of Arts in Theology and Ethics from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary, a Certificate from the Values-Based Leadership Program, and a Certificate in Transitional Leadership Training.
Now retired, Garry has the privilege of dedicating more time to his passions, including grandparenting, motorcycle riding, hockey, reading, and volunteering within his condo community and church, both locally and internationally. He and his wife, Diane, have three married children as well as seven grandchildren. They are blessed that they all live within a ten-minute walk of each other in Ladner, and are able to see each other every day.
Board Member since June 2004
Len Block
Len Block
Len has 20 years of experience as a design reviewer for the federal government with Indigenous Services Canada, in municipal infrastructure projects, mainly water and wastewater projects, on First Nation reserves throughout British Columbia. Len worked with First Nation communities ensuring projects were appropriate to the size of the community and meet design standards.
Len is passionate about empowering the people he engages with to enable them to own and operate their water systems and other infrastructure to build skills and confidence in order to become more autonomous from the Federal government to operate and govern themselves.
Len has been a board member of Mennonite CentralCommittee, (MCC) for13 years, until September 2016, with 5 years as board chair. His commitment to assisting people in need and partnering with them to assist themselves both in the local scene as well as in areas of disaster and the local communities. Len visited several MCC projects travelling to Philippines, Myanmar, Vietnam, and India.
As chair of the MCCBC board, the organization experienced large growth in fundraising and donations, with a large building project, thrift store expansions, and increased international relief and development programs. A separate legacy board was initiated to assist in estate and land donations to create a long-term revenue stream.
Len has previous experience in rural water development in northern Uganda with MCC working with communities on well development surrounding the Kitgum area, partnering with the Church of Uganda. He remains actively involved in his community through Richmond Peace Mennonite Church and Open Way Community Church. He volunteers at a local thrift store in Delta, and is on the team of chefs at the community meal at Richmond Peace Mennonite church. His deep commitment to social justice and compassion for others is evident in all his endeavors.
Len has served on the POR board since 2018, representing MCC, one of the founding partner organizations. He is currently POR’s Treasurer.
Len is married and lives in Ladner with his wife Joy. They love the BC outdoors and camping and kayaking. They have two adult daughters with partners and one recent grandson.
Board Member since September 2018
Erich Krause
Erich Krause
Erich Krause was a founding member of the original Place of Refuge Board, serving until 2011. He then joined the board again in 2022. His motivation for involvement comes from hearing the many stories of people who struggled with addictions and had the courage to ask for help. He believes that we are all broken and that we can all be made whole in the eyes of God, just by asking and receiving help.
Professionally, Erich has been in the construction industry all his life. He built his first house in Vancouver in 1972 and has been building ever since. Although not having a formal degree, he occasionally claims to have a PhD from the “School of Hard Knocks”.
Erich is a member of Point Grey Inter-Mennonite Church, one of POR’s sponsoring churches. He and< Gerda have been married for over 50 years and have two adult children.
Erich enjoys spending time with family, having great meals, fly fishing, and riding his Harley.
Board Member from 2004 – 2010 and Oct 2022
Werner Neufeld
Werner Neufeld
Werner is a seasoned General Contractor with extensive experience in managing diverse construction projects to the highest standards. Alongside his wife, he ran a successful business for several years before transitioning to a cabinet and design company, which they operated until his retirement in 2018. In addition, Werner spent over forty years with a cabinet manufacturer which he took pleasure in roles such as Crew Foreman and Shop Foreman.
Over the years, Werner has dedicated about 15 years as a church moderator and several years as a leader in a boys’ club. He has always had a deep passion for connecting with people and serving others. Upon joining the POR board, he actively contributed to completing the POR Executive Directors office building. His involvement included overseeing the cabinet work in the office, as well as collaborating with a former board member to convert a door into a window, construct a fence, and build a gazebo for the men.
The passion for engaging with POR began when Werner’s former church, a founding member of the initiative, invited some of the men from POR to share their experiences with the congregation. Hearing firsthand how POR had profoundly impacted their lives and provided them with the best home they had ever known left a lasting impression on him. When the opportunity arose to join the board, he eagerly accepted, driven by his admiration for the organization’s transformative work.
Werner is deeply committed to POR because he has witnessed firsthand how the men who come to POR genuinely appreciate their time there and benefit from the support offered to rebuild their lives. He is grateful for the counseling the men receive, as well as the opportunity they have to hear the gospel and embrace faith in Jesus, whose transformative power is unparalleled in changing lives.
Being the oldest of nine siblings, and having raised four sons with his wife, they now find immense joy in their seven grandchildren.
Board Member since September 2019
Graham McCarthy
Graham McCarthy
Graham is Pastor at Peace Church on 52nd, and prior to that worked with children and youth on Vancouver’s downtown Eastside.
Ed Brett
Ed Brett
Ed Brett joined the Place of Refuge board in 2025.
He is the Chief Operating Officer at Mennonite Central Committee British Columbia (MCC BC), a Christian NGO where he oversees support teams (finance, HR, I.T., facilities and risk management) and social enterprises, and where he helps lead the organization’s strategic planning process.
Prior to joining MCC BC Ed spent 25 years in the financial services sector, including in national senior leadership roles. He has served on church, non-profit, community and corporate boards, including ten years as chair of an international development agency.
Ed is married to Karen, and they live in South Langley, BC, where they attend the Anglican Diocese’ Church of the Ascension. Ed serves as lay minister in the parish, helping to lead worship and bible studies.
Ed believes in the radical transformation of lives through the Gospel of Jesus Christ, who entrusts His servants to work His will. Psalm 127 reminds us that “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain,” and it’s this idea that animates his involvement in the Place of Refuge ministry, where the patient work of personal transformation occurs.
Fernando Erices
Fernando Erices
Fernando Erices joined Place of Refuge in 2025, fueled by a passion for recovery advocacy. Inspired by stories of transformation, he is dedicated to supporting those struggling with addiction and helping them find their way to a brighter future.