Duane Hicks
Coinciding with National Victims of Crime Awareness Week (April 21-27), Peggy Loyie of the Rainy River District Victim Services Program was honoured with the Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction for 2013.
Loyie, among 10 other individuals and six organizations receiving the award last week in Toronto, was humble about the recognition.
“It feels almost awkward,” she admitted. “I am very honoured but you know what, you feel like you do your job.
“I was taught, no matter what you do, you do it well—if that gets you recognized and awarded, bonus,” added Loyie, who has been working in victim services for about 20 years and currently is manager of the RRDVSP.
Loyie has worked—both professionally and as a volunteer—with many groups that support youth, aboriginal survivors of residential schools, and victims of crime, including victims of family violence.
“Her accomplishments in identifying the needs of victims and promoting healing are legendary in her community and beyond,” the Ministry of the Attorney General noted in a press release.
But Loyie downplayed the praise, noting that not only is RRDVSP a team effort but what it does is very much about working with other agencies to best help victims, including identifying gaps in service.
“We have a supportive board of directors that allows us to do work in a way we envision it should be done, and we appreciate that,” she remarked.
Loyie also said the RRDVSP always is need of volunteers, and people are urged to help the agency out.
“We can’t be here without our volunteers,” she stressed. “They’re the most integral piece to victim services.”
Loyie explained there is a training component to being a RRDVSP volunteer, but this now easier than ever thanks to the fact much of the training can be done online at home through e-learning.
This is followed up with a weekend workshop with more community-specific training, she added.
For more info, contact the RRDVSP at 274-5687 or drop by its office at 334 Scott St.
In related news, Monika Huminuk, the RRDVSP executive director prior to Loyie and now with the Sunset Area Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Service in Kenora, was honoured last week for the Victim Services Volunteer Training E-learning Project she spearheaded.
That agency recognized the need for a standardized volunteer training tool, canvassed other service providers for interest, and led the development of the Victim Services Volunteer Training E-learning Project.
The project team secured funding, including grants from the Ontario Trillium Foundation, and incorporated a number of unique training resources into one accessible and interactive e-learning tool.
Some 45 Victim Crisis Assistance and Referral Services across Ontario now are involved in the project, enabling them to provide volunteers with thorough and consistent e-training.
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction for 2013 recognizes victims of crime whose courage and dedication have raised awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario, as well as organizations, professionals, and volunteers that advocate on their behalf.
“These extraordinary individuals and organizations help victims of crime rebuild their lives,” Attorney General John Gerretsen said in a press release.
“They are a credit to the victim services community across Ontario, and I am proud to recognize them for their tremendous work.”
“This year’s recipients are proof that courage, compassion, and dedication can truly make a difference,” noted Ruth Campbell, chair of the Office for Victims of Crime.
“The Office for Victims of Crime is proud to participate in this awards program to help raise awareness of victims’ issues in Ontario,” she added.
The Attorney General’s Victim Services Awards of Distinction program was started in 2006.
