When one walks into the Airdrie RCMP detachment lobby, there's no mistaking that the business in the building revolves around community safety and policing. So, it may come as a surprise to some that the nondescript door off to the side, by the entrance does not have uniformed police officers behind it.

In fact, if one were to open the door to the Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society's (ADVAS), the local non-profit, volunteer-based organization that provides 24-hour crisis response and support to victims of crime and/ or tragedy, office space, one will find a group of dedicated, passionate volunteers who sacrifice their time to help those in their darkest hours.

While the organization partners with the RCMP, they are in fact not police and the organization's funding is not in any way tied to police funding. Their operational budget is based on grants and donations and like many non-profits, ADVAS has faced challenges with their budget this year.

Deborah Reid, the Executive Director of ADVAS explained that while there are lingering economic effects of COVID-19, inflation has also affected them. She reflected that businesses and individuals are not as able to donate because they themselves are struggling.  Reid estimates that from an approximated $500,000 annual budget, the organization has secured around 50 per cent of said budget. 

"It's not that we wouldn't be able to continue to provide the service because we have to; [but] it's [about] the level that we want to provide it," she said. " [And] we may not be able to have the opportunity to go out and do the types of things that we want to do and that's the fun stuff. That's the stuff I like and what feeds my soul."

Recently, ADVAS started a Gofundme campaign aimed at drumming up financial support to shore up their budget. The goal of the campaign is to raise $75,000. Reid explained that the organization's role in schools and seniors homes has allowed for civilian involvement where possible, which has also meant that there is less police involvement. 

While the budgetary problems weigh heavily on Reid and the rest of the executive team, this hasn't stopped the volunteers who staff the ADVAS office to continue their selfless work, dedicating hours of their own time to someone who is in need of resources and help.

Discover Airdrie spoke to several crisis advocate volunteers at ADVAS to better understand why they do what they do. The full names of the advocates are not being published to protect their privacy. 

'Compassion. That is our number one job' 

C., one of the newest members of the ADVAS team joined a little over two months ago. She said she was driven to volunteer her time after observing that the justice system doesn't always cater to those who are most traumatized by crime.

"The criminal justice system doesn't really cater to victims. It favours the offenders, rather than focusing on considerations about the victim," she said "I think it's really important to have people that are willing to support victims and really help them through a situation and give them that clarity so that they can recover and heal."

When looking at challenges, C., said that resources aren't a problem - it is how to tailor the resource to a specific client's needs, including language needs. However, even with the challenges that she may face as an advocate, she is certain that an effective advocate must be compassionate.

"You have to listen, be non-judgmental, and be patient with people. [You have to understand] where they're at and understand that they might not get where you want them to be overnight," she said. 

While for the foreseeable future, she envisions that she will stay with ADVAS, she is also hoping to one day venture out into the legal side of advocacy, perhaps even becoming a lawyer. 

'When I saw this opportunity, it just spoke to me.'

If C., is the rookie member of the ADVAS team, then E., is a veteran. Having worked in the 1970s in a rape crisis center, and then as a crisis advocate in Saskatchewan for three years, she said that the advocacy work she does is a way to help someone in dire circumstances in a small but very significant way. She said that part of victim advocacy is being an empathetic listener, but remembering that as an advocate taking on the emotional burden of a victim can be detrimental. 

"I'm not taking on the feelings that they're having, because if I do that, I can't be much help to them," she said. "I think that it's very important to be empathetic, but also be clear-headed enough to offer some ideas and resources."

When asked if there was some particular call that has stuck in her memory, she remembered a case file where an elderly individual had uncovered the death of their roommate and was distraught.

"He looked like he was having a hard time and so we were able to put together resources here and in Airdrie," E., said. "But I was able to get him to call some resources here in Airdrie and I heard later that he was being in regular touch with people who could help him. That made me feel good."

E., added that as a proud feminist, she believes that having worked in a rape crisis center so many years ago was an important step in giving support to women at a time when sexual assaults were not openly discussed or reported. When asked who she idolizes as a strong role model, she said that American journalist and activist Gloria Steinem is a favourite of hers.

'Commit and empathy are the biggest things.'

S., has been with ADVAS for two years and though the time commitment may seem jarring to some, he is not phased by it. He offers up upwards of ten hours to ADVAS a week, and on the weekends he is on call, 24 hours - like his other peers.

"I didn't realize until I actually started victim services, that this is something I want to do. I want to be part of this long as I can."

Though he has aspirations of perhaps joining the ranks of the RCMP, he said that what he does now is absolutely crucial.

S., explained that often times those dealing with trauma may not be aware of the myriad of resources available to them and it is his responsibility to bridge that gap.

"By talking to someone at victim services, you can have access to all those resources; financial resources, emotional support, and court support and all these things. You don't have to deal with yourself. You have people that can help you," he said.

'2 a.m., that is the time when they need a helping hand the most.'

D., like her other peers explained that the role of ADVAS is the bridge that those experiencing trauma grasp for, a vital bridge in the community.

"In moments of trauma and crisis, our brains do not function normally, and a calm voice of reason can help us safely navigate those moments. Having experienced the impact an advocate can have in a crisis situation, I can’t imagine not doing it," she wrote.

She underlined the crucial value of this program is even more relevant today as mental health crises are dominating not only personal lives but public discourse in both policing and community safety.

'We're just here to help. It's help without judgment.'

P., another long-time volunteer at ADVAS, said that the opportunity to volunteer appealed to him because it was so unique.

"It appealed to me because it was a little bit unusual in terms of what we were doing. It wasn't making sandwiches or doing any other kind of volunteer things as one might do," he said. "I learned and became familiar with the role and doing the work. It was very fulfilling, but then over time, I sort of became a leader there myself. Now I am the one showing people the ropes and training others."

Going on seven years as a volunteer, P., said that the model that Airdrie offers is one of the best in the province and it should be lauded.

"It makes me want to keep going back. Because as a volunteer, it's always important to think that the work you do makes a difference to the person you're helping."

While evening has fallen in Airdrie on a Tuesday in early April and the RCMP detachment is no longer humming and busy, advocates at ADVAS have begun their evening shift. For a brief moment, the Airdrie and District Victim's Assistance Society's trauma dog, Jake darts out into the office for a quick greeting. The volunteers bid their goodbyes and go back to providing solace and comfort to those most in need. 

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