The Power of Collaboration

Cold Lake Victim Services honours the victims and survivors of crime

“The Power of Collaboration” is the theme of Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, taking place across Canada from May 26 to June 13, 2019. Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is held to raise awareness about issues facing victims and survivors of crime and the services, programs, and laws in place to help them and their families. Cold Lake Victim Services is proud to be hosting three Awareness Barbeques to commemorate the week in our community and surrounding area.

“The Victims and Survivors of Crime Week is an important event for our community because it brings awareness to the services we provide to help Victims of Crime. It’s important that a victim know that they have rights and a service looking out for them after a crime has occurred to them.”, said Dave Zimmerman, Program Manager for Cold Lake Victim Services.

Cold Lake Victim Services is a not for profit organization, which operates under the guidance of the RCMP. The Program consists of an RCMP Liaison Officer, a volunteer Board of Directors, a group of volunteer advocates and a three paid staff.

Cold Lake Victim Services has been in Operation since 1992, and this year marks their 27^th anniversary.

“The program helps people through difficult times. Under the guidance and direction of the Cold Lake RCMP, we provide support, information, and referral services to crime/tragedy victims and their families. Our services are available on a 24-hour basis, they are free and confidential,” explained Zimmerman.

This event was funded by the Victims Fund, a grants and contributions program administered by the Department of Justice Canada. Funds are available to provinces, territories and non-governmental organizations for programs and services that give victims and survivors of crime a more effective voice in the criminal justice system. For more information on Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, visit: www.victimsweek.gc.ca.

Event Schedule:

• May 29, 2019 – Elizabeth Metis Settlement school from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• May 30, 2019 – CLFN Band Office from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
• May 31, 2019 – Cold Lake Provincial Courthouse from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. This one will also include static display tables with some community court partners as well tours of the court house where people get to meet the players of the court (i.e. judge, crown, defence council).

For more information on Cold Lake Victim Services and the services we provide please visit www.coldlakevictimservices.com or call our office at 780-594-3302 ext 3.