Submitted by United Way
Whenever there is a crime or tragedy, there is a victim. The good news is that assistance is available for victims of crime or tragedy through Victim Services, a society comprised of the Wetaskiwin Municipal RCMP and Rural RCMP, in partnership with the Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services Society.
Executive director Petra Pfeiffer describes how Victim Services is there to help. “When a person experiences a crisis or a trauma it can be an experience so severe or unusual that the mind cannot master it in the usual way. Our staff and advocates are specially trained to know how to meet the basic needs of the victim. They know how to talk to victims about the experience and how to help them begin to plan for the future.”
That is why Victim Services was so grateful when United Way through the generosity of donors recently provided supplemental funding that will enable additional training and safety equipment for the staff and volunteers.
Victim Services, like other charities in Wetaskiwin, are finding it increasingly difficult to respond to the demands being created by a struggling economy.
Victim Services is grateful for the financial support we received from United Way as it enables us to offer additional training that might not otherwise be possible”, stated Pfeiffer. “It also helps expand our programs and services for our staff, board, advocates and most importantly, the victims of crime and tragedy in this community.”
A United Way Local Impact Committee has been formed in Wetaskiwin to guide the process of assisting businesses, corporations, clubs and individuals with investing in local charities. Campaigns are underway to establish a United Way fund and under the guidance of the Local Impact Committee this will be invested in local charities working in the social and health sectors in the spring of 2017.
Shannon Manuel, branch manager ATB Wetaskiwin and Communications chair of the Local Impact Committee, is proud of ATB’s participation to date. She advises other businesses of advantages: 100 per cent of the proceeds stay in the Wetaskiwin community to support local charities; you can donate online through payroll deduction; all gifts over $200 entitle you to a tax credit of 50 per cent (29 per cent federal tax credit and 21 per cent Alberta provincial tax credit; and United Way acts a steward for your donation. Through our evaluation and monitoring process we hold agencies accountable to show the community impact created by your donation.
Wetaskiwin and District Victim Services provides the kind of supports that people hope they never need, but are grateful for if they do. So thank you United Way. You have just made a very important investment in the welfare of victims of crime or tragedy.
For more information about Victim Services phone 780-312-7287 or visit them in the RCMP building.