YORKTON — Parkland Victim Services continues to play an important role in helping people through what can be traumatic experiences.
Co-ordinator Tammy Zielinski has been part of the organization for four years, starting as a volunteer in the Kamsack area. She then became the assistant co-ordinator, and for the past two years, she has been at the helm of the Parkland chapter, which serves clients in Canora, Preeceville, Wynyard and Melville, among others. Its area extends to Highway 1 to the south and the Manitoba border to the east.
Zielinski said she has always liked helping people, which led to her joining Victim Services. When the assistant co-ordinator position became open, she decided to apply. She said she has loved every minute of the work since she landed the role.
Serving with victim services allows her to get to meet people and help them in their toughest moments, whether it be a crime or a tragic situation like a vehicle collision. The goal is to help people become survivors of the situation.
“We’re on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If we get a call out to assist the RCMP, we’re there,” she said.
The organization has six or seven volunteers spread out over their area, and they’re always looking for more.
“Being a volunteer, you have to have available hours for us. That means that you have to commit to so many hours,” she said. “You have to go through training with us. You have to be mature and responsible. You have to have good written and verbal communication skills.
“You have to be willing to complete an RCMP security clearance, have a valid driver’s licence and just be able to be part of a crisis team. And probably the most important is maintain strict confidentiality.”
A volunteer’s caseload depends on how busy the staff is. If her working staff is occupied, they usually call the volunteers to take over some files. Anyone can carry anywhere from one to 10 cases.
Victim Services also spends time in court.
“We support a victim of a crime, going through the whole court process, which includes an accused’s first court appearance, up into prelims and trials and sentencing,” she said.
Parkland Victim Services is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. Zielinski said nothing is planned as far as an event, but they might have something before the year is finished. Regardless, she views the milestone as an opportunity to say thanks.
“We’ve had great response to our program. You can self-refer yourself. The RCMP refers, and other organizations in our community also send referrals our way.”
Victims Services has an important role to play, she said, because the effects of crimes and tragedies are around at all times. Many people have been victims, have a family member who suffered a crime or know a victim in another way, so to have Victim Services there to help through the process makes a “huge” difference, she said.
“We’ve had excellent feedback. We’ve had a lot of positive feedback from the community, the RCMP and other organizations as well,” she said, noting victims are appreciative to be heard, seen and have the opportunity to share their story.
“We offer emotional support, understanding of the court system, referrals to appropriate agencies, and help with their shock, denial, their anger, their grief. That’s what we’re all about is to be there for the victim.”
