Board Members

Maria Placewicz

Maria Placewicz is the President and a founding Board Member of Barka Canada Social Integration Society. Maria has a Diploma as a Teacher Assistant from the Columbia College in Calgary. She worked as a Teacher Assistant in the school system in Alberta and BC and also at the Learning Centre at Semiahmoo House Society, working with adults with disabilities. Since 2005 she has been working for Inter-Resource Consulting as an Outreach Worker and also as a Homeshare provider. Maria is passionate about people’s wellbeing and always sees an opportunity to make a difference.

Wally Placewicz

Wally Placewicz is a founding Board Member of Barka Canada Social Integration Society and a volunteer Program Coordinator. Wally has a Diploma of Social Work from the University of the Fraser Valley in Abbotsford, British Columbia. He also obtained a Certificate in Drug and Addiction Counselling from the Justice Institute of British Columbia. He worked as a drug and addiction counsellor with Native Health in the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, at Miracle Valley Recovery Centre. He founded a recovery support group for Polish-speaking people struggling with alcohol addiction and led the program for three years at the Surrey Mental Health Centre. He is also a volunteer with Emergency Social Services in the City of Surrey. 

Kasia Major

Kasia Major is a founding Board Member of Barka Canada. Kasia has a Master of Science in Psychology, a Graduate Diploma in Psycho-Social Rehabilitation, and a Diploma in Counselling Therapy. She currently works as a counsellor in both general practice and addiction recovery. Kasia is passionate about supporting people in difficulties and she continues to contribute her skills and experience to Barka Canada’s work in the community.

Blazej Babiarz

Blazej Babiarz is a founding Board Member of Barka Canada. He is an entrepreneur in technology, particularly in software and online marketing. Blazej generously contributes his time and talent to Barka’s online presence, electronic communication, and marketing needs. Throughout the years, he has also volunteered his time and skills in various other non-profit organizations.

Piotr Szymlowski

Piotr Szymlowski is a Board Member of Barka Canada. Piotr facilitates Barka’s AA/NA and self-support groups. He is also involved in our outreach work in the community. His work with Barka includes providing people with access to resources, including transportation and accompaniment to appointments. He treats those he supports with compassion, understanding, and awareness of what is needed when. Piotr is a marine mechanic by trade and an avid organic gardener in his spare time.