Send us Fan Mail In this episode of “The Guy Up the Road,” Dave sits down with Deb Rollo to have an honest and eye-opening conversation about addiction, homelessness, mental health, and the impact of the opioid crisis on our local communities. Drawing from her years of frontline experience, Deb shares real stories about the people behind addiction, the challenges faced by families and frontline workers, and why there are no simple solutions. Together, they explore the importance of community involvement, understanding, accountability, and—most importantly—starting the conversation. A thought-provoking discussion about a problem that isn’t somewhere else… it’s right here in our own communities. Deb Rollo is a longtime Dunnville resident whose family roots in the community stretch back hundreds of years. She and her husband, author Gord Rollo, have three wonderful children and share their home with three entertaining dogs. Deb has spent more than 25 years working in the not-for-profit sector, primarily in senior management roles dedicated to supporting people and strengthening communities. Her career has included work with seniors, adults with disabilities, physician recruitment, community development, volunteer engagement, and programs designed to improve quality of life. Throughout her career, Deb has also worked closely with individuals facing significant barriers, including homelessness, addiction, mental health challenges, poverty, and food insecurity. This experience has given her an understanding of the importance of looking beyond individual issues and recognizing how housing, health, employment, transportation, social connection, and access to services often intersect. Deb’s professional experience has also included working with the Regional Municipality of Niagara, the City of Welland, and the City of Port Colborne. Through these roles and partnerships, she has gained a broad perspective on the challenges communities face, as well as the importance of collaboration between residents, community organizations, businesses, service providers, and municipal government. At the heart of Deb’s work is a simple belief: strong communities are built when people feel heard, supported, connected, and able to contribute. She continues to bring that perspective to her involvement in Dunnville and her commitment to helping create a community where people of all ages and circumstances can thrive.
