By Liam Verster

Victim Services

Victim Services still providing essential services during COVID-19 pandemic

Apr 1, 2020 | 2:24 PM

The Grande Prairie and District Victim Services office may be closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but their work is ongoing.

Victoria Johnson, the President of the Board, says they are maintaining essential services, but have had to take some measures to reduce the risk of spreading the novel cororavirus.

“Staff is always available, they are however working from home as much as possible. We are protecting client confidentiality, no files are ever leaving the office. We are rotating the staff in the office for picking up messages and referrals. And emergency call-outs are going directly to our Executive Director, and then she assesses the priority from there.”

She says regular volunteers aren’t being used for call-outs at this time, and that the Executive Director is also the only one attending calls and working with the RCMP. Johnson adds that the Executive Director is taking steps to maintain her safety, and following the RCMP’s protocols to avoid contracting or transmitting the virus.

Johnson says, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, Victim Services has also started a grocery delivery program to support the most vulnerable people in the community.

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“So people who are perhaps ill or seniors, or people who are adhering to the 14 day self-isolation, we are supplying them with groceries, the incidentals, we’re calling and texting and just leaving [the groceries] on the porch. So they do need to call us ahead of time, they need to call in their grocery order or do it online. The number is 780-830-5897, and then we can arrange from there delivery for them.”

She adds that they want to do whatever they can to help those being impacted by the coronavirus, while also keeping the staff safe.

Johnson says it’s really important to stay home during this pandemic, but acknowledges that can cause some stress and anxiety in people. She says a good way for people to stay calm and reduce their anxiety and fear is through implementing a routine.

“So we are, of course encouraging everyone to keep routines in place, to keep life at home on a bit of a schedule, so that we are not becoming anxious, and more irritable because of anxiousness.”

She says an important part of the daily routine is physical activity and excercise.

“If it’s okay to get out and walk around the block, or maybe there’s a collection of DVD’s of Zumba or Yoga, or anything you can find on Youtube.”

She adds that along with exercise tutorials and videos, there are relaxation videos available online, which can provide a lot of help to people struggling with their mental health during the pandemic.

Johnson says they are having a lot of files coming in, causing a backlog of work, and they will need some extra help when the office can reopen. She adds that the application process can take quite a bit of time, and asks that anyone interested in volunteering with Victim Services fill out an online application as soon as possible.