Seniors might have the wisdom of many years on their side but the sad truth is that tragedy can and does strike people regardless of age. When it does, people often rely on the emotional support of their friends and family to keep them grounded and get back on track.
In this city, there’s St. Albert Victim Services. Started in 1993, the agency works to lend a hand or a shoulder to cry on any time it is needed. It’s the kind of thing that you just can’t place a value on, so it’s a good thing that they do it all for free.
Jeff Foss is the program manager with Victim Services. He says that the organization usually takes referrals from the RCMP because police are often the first responders to traumatic incidents. There’s nothing stopping anybody from taking the direct route themselves, however.
“We also take direct referrals so if people just walk in and want a hand, or call us and say, ‘I need help,’” he explains. “We’re able to respond both ways.”
He added that this is particularly useful because there are occasions when members of the public might require or would benefit from services but no official referral is created to start the process.
Getting the word out to the citizens is the best way to open the door as wide as possible.
“The community awareness piece is the biggest key to that, I believe. As community awareness grows and people know that they can do that, that [self-referrals] will increase.”
Victim Services is always working to improve how it delivers its assistance. This will hopefully result in a linking of services with the St. Albert Community Village, the agency that works in tandem with the food bank.
“With that, you’re going to see a much larger push with community awareness, specifically within the senior area.”
Victim Services helps approximately 1,200 people every year.
Its team of victim advocates is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the entire year for anyone who experiences any violent, traumatic or stressful event like automobile accidents, house fires, assaults, domestic violence, or any act of crime, or if they are a family member of someone who dies unexpectedly.
The organization’s volunteers are there on the scene to provide assistance and comfort as quickly as possible.
They are even available to help victims with the preparation of victim impact statements or other legal documents, or with making appearances in court.
Anyone can call St. Albert Victim Services for information or assistance. Their number is 780-458-4353. They also have a website at www.stalbertvictimservices.ca that can be helpful.
