Duane Hicks
Welcomes new
program manager
Next week is National Victims of Crime Awareness Week, and the Rainy River District Victim Services Program is taking the opportunity to raise awareness of what is does and how members of the public can get involved.
In addition to a media campaign, the RRDVSP will be holding a volunteer appreciation dinner next Monday at the Legion, followed by a lunchtime barbecue and open house at its 334 Scott St. location on Friday, May 1, at which time the public can drop by, have a bite to eat, and find out more about the program.
They also will be at the Chamber of Commerce’s home and leisure show May 1-2 at the Memorial Sports Centre.
While some people may know the RRDVSP partners with emergency services by providing immediate emotional and practical support to victims of crime and other tragic circumstances 24 hours a day, seven days a week, new program manager Peggy Loyie said she also wants people to consider the program a resource they can go to anytime—not just in response to a crisis.
“People define their own victimization,” she explained. “They don’t need this organization to say, ‘You’re only a victim if there’s been a fire or a robbery.’
“They need to broaden that, and know we’re here as a resource to help them move on,” she noted.
“If something, historically, has affected their lives, they can come here and we can provide them with that referral, that information, that can help them move on and deal with whatever has happened,” added Loyie. “If it’s affecting your life in a negative way, and you feel victimized by that, by your own definition you feel victimized by that, then that’s what we’re here for.
“We can do that by providing appropriate referrals. We need people to know we have access to a counsellor here, as well, we contract with who comes in on an as-needed basis.
“Sometimes people don’t know where to go, and sometimes you just need that first step,” Loyie stressed. “If there’s something going on, maybe, just through good communication, we can identify what may be an appropriate response to that situation.”
For instance, Loyie said if an individual moved to the area after leaving an abusive relationship, they could come to the RRDVSP for advice.
“If they come here, but they’re still living with that shroud over them, they could call us and we could say, ‘Okay, this is what we can do to help keep you safe in our community,’” she remarked.
Loyie assumed the role of program manager on March 23, replacing Monika Huminuk, who was integral to the local office opening its doors here back on May, 2007 but has since moved to Kenora to open the new victims services program office there.
“Monika did an awesome job doing the set-up, and now we’re focusing on raising the visibility of the organization in the community and the surrounding area,” noted Loyie.
Loyie had been healing and wellness program co-ordinator at the United Native Friendship Centre for many years, and so comes to this new job with plenty of experience.
“It’s been a real change. I am real excited about this program because I think the potential for this program is huge, in the community, in the district, really,” she enthused.
“Even though the area we respond to is a 30-km radius, this program is for the district,” she added. “It’s important we get this program out there district-wide, that people know we’re here.”
Loyie said her previous job “afforded me a real education in community resourcing, community work in general.”
Hugh Dennis, chair of the RRDVSP’s board of directors, said the group was fortunate to have found Loyie, who “is well-known in the district, has assets with respect to local knowledge and local organizations, and has worked with victims for many, many years in different capacities.”
Dennis added the board thought Loyie was right for the job “in every respect,” and looks forward to working with her.
In related news, the RRDVSP continues to needs volunteers who are willing to provide support for victims throughout Rainy River District, and this will promoted more next week.
“This organization cannot operate without volunteers, they are essential,” Loyie stressed.
To find out more, contact the local office at 274-5687.
The program also has had post-secondary students do placements there, and continues to do so.
