Local dignitaries, volunteers, and staff members of North Simcoe Victim Services (NSVS) gathered today at the Orillia OPP detachment to celebrate funding from the province.
NSVS hosted the gathering in celebration of receiving a $100,400 Resilient Communities Fund grant from the provincial government's Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF) earlier this year.
For over 25 years, NSVS volunteers have responded to 8,700 calls for support to people facing tragic circumstances. They provide emotional support, referrals, advocacy, and practical assistance for those who have fallen victim to a tragic event, disaster, or crime.
NSVS co-chair and Orillia OPP Const. Brett Boniface says the need for victim services locally is higher than ever, noting calls for support have risen by 127 per cent since 2020.
"The needs in our community have gone up exponentially," he said. "Our services are much more needed and the support is much more complex."
Calls for support come from people facing assaults, domestic violence, homicides, and human trafficking issues, among others.
"They are very complex cases that need a lot of support from our services," Boniface said. "Because of that, one of the things that has taken a hit is our fundraising."
Boniface says NSVS staff is taxed and tired from working "very hard," which impacts fundraising efforts.
"This funding from the OTF has been a godsend for us," he said.
With additional funds, NSVS has expanded its community outreach through mental health fairs, training, and public round table discussions.
"We are very proud of those steps that we are taking," Boniface said. "Those can't be done without the fundraising dollars that support our organization."
The OTF grant was applied for by crisis volunteer Lynn Thomas who has since been hired on a 24-month contract as the agency's development director.
"It's my sincere privilege to be hired as the first development director," she said. "It’s a real privilege to work as a staff member with the staff, volunteers, and the board members."
Thomas will also continue her "passion" for volunteering as a crisis response volunteer which she has done since 2021.
In her new role, Thomas says she will help to create a platform for resiliency and sustainability that was not previously possible due to insufficient staff time and funding.
She is also organizing the first peer-to-peer fundraising event for NSVS, Ride for Refuge on Oct. 5. The event includes a 5 km or 10 km bike ride or a 2.5 km or 5 km walk.
"Our goal is $20,000 for that event," Thomas explained. "That will help for our future sustainability."
Thomas says NSVS provides a critical service to the Orillia area, which is why she is passionate about her new role.
"We don't know when one of us, our family members, neighbours, or friends will need our services," she said.
Simcoe North MPP Jill Dunlop says NSVS is a worthy recipient of the OTF grant.
"This significant support will enhance their capacity to fundraise and make donor transactions more efficient to further serve our community and ensuring that those in need continue to receive crucial assistance and care," she said.
