Lidiya Poff and Courtney McQuiggen spoke about help for victims.

Victim Services Elgin is a not for profit organization that operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week 365 days a year with three staff and 42 volunteers. the program is funded by the Ministry of the Attorney General through the Victims Justice Fund.

Victim services is called selectively by the police, ambulance or the fire department in the event of an emergency. The staff or the volunteers at the emergency ask for consent from victims before the services are provided and indicate that the services are confidential and free. Victim Services works along with the Violence Against Women services and the Red Cross and call upon appropriate Community resources for victims.

There are two programs Victim Services offers. The first program is the Victim Crisis Assistance Ontario or VCAO. This is a community response program that provides a variety of immediate short-term crisis intervention services to persons affected by violence, incidence of sudden death, death notifications, sexual assaults, house fires, and accidents. The VCAO service offers emotional support practical assistance, safety tips, and appropriate referrals to other services

The second service offered is the Victim Quick Response Program or VQRP. This program is offered to victims of homicide, attempted murder, assault, domestic violence, sexual assault, hate crime, human trafficking, child abuse, and criminal harassment. Examples of services provided are: funding for funeral expenses, immediate counseling, emergency transportation, emergency accommodations and meals, emergency child care, crime scene clean-up, cell phone purchases, emergency Vision Care, and emergency home repair. Victim Services volunteers undergo a current criminal record check, require references, and are interviewed. Once accepted, they take a mandatory 40 combined hours of online training an in-house training. Volunteers are asked to commit to at least one year of service at 20 hours on call per month.

Malcolm won the 50/50 draw.

Gerald Vreeman (Fine Master) showed us some of the many plaques that he received from the Music Festival in 1975 and other years for his fine piano renditions.

Come next week to hear Barbara and Mary talk about their experience in Rotary.

Happy Fins:

Trish 4 Thankful that Mary and Barb were hostesses at the Shaw Valley home for TOH. Also, thankful for Ed and Kathy Willson’s help with Rotary for so many years.

Malcolm 3 He showed off his Rotary toque hat and appreciated todays speakers.

Barbara 3 for our speakers from Victim Services. Also 2 brothers visited for Christmas

Maggie 4 Relative in US is ill with no medical insurance and low income. Met someone who paid her $7000 Medical bills with the only proviso that she pay it forward.

Ron 2 Glad Trish is back and his family is well.

Gerry 2 for Ron who has given so many years of service. Also for the speakers.