Jim Mandelin's Biography
Major Projects I have been Involved with most recently: A documentary film called, “ "The Jim Mandelin Story, Anatomy of a Gang Member” has been filmed and is now being edited; A recently completed movie script based on my life story, " Committee of the Unloved", written with two local writers Wynona Kent and Nola Tompkins, is in the process of being distributed to interested parties; The first part of my biography, " A Life Worth Dying For" has been written with author, Don Rock, and is currently being edited and prepared for publication.
Television documentary “Beyond Medicine” produced in 1999 by Partners in Motion. The documentary features myself and others discussing the use of alternative medicine rather than traditional medicine.
Television documentary “Sexual Abuse, Both Sides of the Coin” (1991). This documentary featured me as a survivor of childhood abuse and Graham Cook as a recovering pedophile. The Knowledge Network, National Film Board and the Province of British Columbia provided funding. It was produced by Images for Thought Productions. The film was selected as a runner-up at the 1992 New York International Film and Television Festival Awards. Capilano and Malspina College and over one hundred educational institutions across Canada and the United States retain this film as part of their video library.
Educational documentary “Challenging the Medical Model of Addition” (1988). This video highlights pieces of my life with reference to addiction issues and is kept by the Simon Fraser University - Psychology Department Library. Production funding was provided for by Simon Fraser University - Psychology Department.
I have been a frequent guest on such shows as the Bill Good Show, Terry Moore Night Line Show (CKNW Radio Vancouver, B.C.), Open Line (CKRD Radio – Red Deer, Alberta) and a phone-in show (CFCN Radio – Calgary, Alberta). I have also appeared on a number of radio and television discussion panels(BCTV,CTV, CBC,COOP Radio UBC) as well as several feature articles in a number of newspapers throughout Western Canada and the Northwestern United States.
I have given hundreds of lectures starting in 1988 which includes 70+ Lower Mainland High Schools and Elementary Schools, Youth Prisons, Colleges and Universities, United Way fundraisers, High School Teachers’ professional development days, and Teachers Conventions. I have also designed and instructed numerous classes of new “Police Recruits” on how to effectively relate to young offenders.
I have counseled many clients and have been able to assist most to see that their life can be a life beyond victimhood and mere survival.
I have been a parent to four sons (now grown) and one daughter for many years and this has given me a practical based education on the process of parenting.