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Recognizing "Caring Response & Victim Support"
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Thank you to everyone who came out to help us launch our 20th Anniversary at our Annual General Meeting on Tuesday, September 25. Volunteers, first responders and our community partners gathered to enjoy fellowship, dinner and special presentations. Chaired by NSVS Board Director Dave Baker, the evening's highlights included the 2017-2018 Annual Report overview by Executive Director Frances Yarbrough, greetings from special guest, Senator Gwen Boniface, and recognition of volunteers for longtime service. Read more here and view photos here. |
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Honouring our outstanding volunteers
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Jack Shell, pictured above, recently retired from his role as a NSVS volunteer following 19 years of outstanding service to the organization. He was recognized at the AGM and 20th Anniversary Launch held on September 25.
Jack participated in the very first training session in March 1999 and worked not only as a dedicated crisis response volunteer for the past two decades, but also contributed his excellent training skills at special workshops for our volunteers.
“Jack is an amazing person – he embodies the very qualities that we look for in a volunteer. He is caring, empathetic, non-judgmental, and a great listener! And he made sure I knew that I could call him at any time if I needed him – including during his grandson’s birthday on one occasion,” said NSVS Volunteer Coordinator Kim Hewitt.
As a community-minded person who truly believes in helping others, Jack has also been a longtime volunteer with the Salvation Army, provides first aid/CPR classes for numerous organizations and is an advocate/friend for an individual with developmental challenges. Jack is also a teacher with the Developmental Services Worker Program at Georgian College, maintains his blackbelt status at a local karate school, and enjoys spending time with his family, including five grandchildren.
Other volunteers recognized at the AGM event include Martha Gabow, Sandy Monk, and Sue Nillson.
Thank you all for being such caring and dedicated members of the NSVS family!
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 Share Your Story |
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 Grief and Loss Workshop
Frances Yarbrough, our executive director, participated in a Grief and Loss Workshop hosted by Beausoleil Family Health Centre on Beausoleil Island last month. Drawing on her background as a grief counsellor with community hospices and her work with NSVS, Frances spoke about the challenges of sudden loss and bereavement, as well as coping strategies.
Satisfaction Surveys completed
NSVS has completed the stakeholder satisfaction surveys. This was an eight-month project and we thank all the volunteers, clients, first responders and community partners who participated. An independent writer collated the results and delivered a report to the NSVS Board in September. The report and next steps will be a topic of discussion at the next board meeting.
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Tuesday, October 16, 7 pm, St. Paul's Centre
Continuing education opportunity for NSVS volunteers, focusing on scenarios and the strategies and resources that can assist in each type of situation.
Tuesday, October 16
Meet & Greet with Boards of Muskoka Victim Services and Barrie and Area VCARS, hosted by NSVS Board of Directors. This is an opportunity for board members to share and learn from each other!
Monday, October 29, Geneva Park
NSVS is hosting a Lessons Learned event for VCAO organizations. Staff from around the province have been invited to discuss their work supporting individuals impacted by human trafficking.
Saturday, November 3 & Sunday, November 4, 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Geneva Park
Psychological First Aid Training hosted by NSVS, and led by trainers from the Tema Centre. We have a few spots open for community partners (class size is 30). For more information or to register, contact Kim at volunteers@ns-vs.com. There is no cost to NSVS volunteers. Cost to community partners is $150 (a great deal!).
Thursday, December 6
Annual Year-End Celebration for NSVS volunteers. Save the date so you don’t miss this get-together and premier viewing of our 20th Anniversary video!
Next volunteer training will begin in March 2019. If know of someone who may be interested, please direct them to our website (ns-vs.com).
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