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Meet our 2017-18 Board of Directors
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At the Annual General Meeting held on September 19, the 2017-18 NSVS Board of Directors was elected, including three new members: Back row (l-r): Kyle MacCallum, County of Simcoe Paramedic Services (new Board member); Dave Baker, City of Orillia Fire Department (Secretary); Catherine McCullough, CMC Leadership (Chair); Heather Harmer, Central Region OPP; and Joshua Barath, Georgian College (new Board member). Front row (l-r): Brian Adams, Retired Community Mental Health OSMH; Linda Davis, General Headquarters OPP (new Board member); Samantha Bialas, BDO (Treasurer); and Dana Boldt, Rama Police Service.
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Casino challenge results in a win for NSVS!
A social media challenge focused on Emergency Preparedness between Casino Rama Resort and Niagara Casinos resulted in a win for Casino Rama Resort and North Simcoe Victim Services. As a result of the "Prepare Your Selfie" challenge, NSVS was the recipient of a $1,000 donation! In the spirit of friendly competition and community giving, Casino Rama Resort also made a donation to Victim Services Niagara. Richard Paris, Director of Security with Niagara Casinos, presented the cheque to Frances Yarbrough, NSVS Executive Director at the Provincial Emergency Operations Centre in Toronto last month.
NSVS Volunteers participate in County of Simcoe Emergency Drill
 On October 4, NSVS Volunteer Coordinator Kim Hewitt, along with volunteers Shirley and Ginette, participated in a "Compassion in Action" drill held at the Innisfil Recreation Complex to test agency services. Organized by County of Simcoe 911 and Emergency Planning, the event involved over 50 volunteers in a mock ice-storm situation. Our volunteers were stationed with the Red Cross to help evacuees as they came into the evacuation centre.
NSVS supports "Operation Timberwolf" at Lakehead University
How well prepared are we for an active threat incident at our local schools? The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), along with community partners, including North Simcoe Victim Services, conducted a training exercise at Lakehead University on October 13 to find out. NSVS Executive Director Frances Yarbrough was asked to attend by the Orillia OPP to provide support to those who participated in the exercise and let them know about follow-up services that are available, should they be required.
Video highlights OCAN "Lunch and Learn"
 As a partner with the Orillia Community Action Network (OCAN), NSVS took part in a public "Lunch and Learn" information event on May 30 at the Orillia Public Library. The session provided information for individuals who have experienced domestic violence (violence in intimate partner relationships). Watch the video to learn more.
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Meet our Volunteer Team Leaders
All NSVS volunteers work in teams of three, including a volunteer "lead." The Team Leader is responsible for dispatching volunteers (crisis responders), providing direction as needed, ensuring safety of volunteers on call, and submitting follow-up information to staff.
Deb describes her volunteer work as a lead with North Simcoe Victim Services as an ideal fit for her passion for helping people. “I enjoy helping people and being able to give back to the community.” Deb is a Civilian Supervisor with the OPP Communications Centre at Central Region Headquarters, where she has also acted as an Employee Assistance Program volunteer for 18 years. Now in her 30th year with the OPP, she is due to retire in just over two years. She has been a volunteer with NSVS for almost 10 years and is now looking forward to continuing her work along with her daughter Jenna. Jenna, who is in her fourth year of the Bachelor of Human Services Police Studies degree program at Georgian College, successfully completed her NSVS training this year. Congratulations to this mother and daughter team!
New NSVS recruits welcomed by Inspector Veronica Eaton
Training began on October 11 for a new group of NSVS volunteers, who had the honour of being the first group to be welcomed by new Orillia OPP Detachment Commander, Inspector Veronica Eaton (pictured above with Frances Yarbrough). A 22-year veteran with the Ontario Provincial Police, Insp. Eaton became the Detachment Commander last month. She spoke to the NSVS trainees about her background, including volunteer work with VCARS (now NSVS), and emphasized the value of the support NSVS volunteers provide to victims and first responders. "What you are doing is extremely beneficial and we're so happy to have you as part of our team," said Eaton. "You will find the training you receive to be invaluable. This organization has one of the strongest programs anywhere."
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Did You Know...
Since the promotion of our volunteer training began, the “Becoming a Volunteer” page on the NSVS website has been visited 202 times! Here are the overall website visits over the past few months: September: 6,332 unique visitors; August: 7,301 unique visitors; July: 8,567 unique visitors
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 Thank you to Winston
Our NSVS summer student, Winston Boudreau, is back at school, completing his degree at Lakehead University Orillia. We asked Winston about his summer experience with the NSVS team and this is what he had to say: "During my time working at Victim Services, I found it to not only to be nourishing in knowledge, but it also shed light on new personal goals that I would like to accomplish going forward in school and in life. The NSVS organization is operated by a wonderful staff team who show compassion and kindness alongside their professionalism with every detail of their work. It was a pleasure working with them, and an experience I will certainly not forget. Miigwetch!" Thank you Winston!
and Welcome to Cassie
This fall, Cassie Hergert, a Social Services Worker student from Georgian College, joined the NSVS team. She will complete her placement by helping out the staff members with a variety of tasks at the busy NSVS office. Welcome Cassie!
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Upcoming Events
November 25 – International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women
Learn more here.
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