Victim Services of Simcoe County is adding 16 new crisis response volunteers in Barrie, Ontario, to help people recover from crimes and traumatic events. The agency is expanding its team to handle a 30 per cent increase in calls for support recorded across the region over the past year.
New volunteers will provide on-site and over-the-phone emotional support, practical help, and referrals to local programs for residents referred by the police. Candidates must be at least 21 years old and have a valid driver’s licence and a reliable vehicle. The role requires a commitment of at least one year and 24 hours of on-call service each month.
The organization is based at the Barrie Emergency Services Campus and works closely with the Barrie Police Service to ensure help is available 24 hours a day. According to Volunteer Barrie, the group is looking for 40 people in total across the county to help shorten wait times for residents in need of immediate assistance.
Executive Director Marie McCallum, who has led the service since it began in 1996, oversees the training program that lasts between 40 and 60 hours. Recent provincial funding for partners like the South Simcoe Police Service is also helping to strengthen support systems for survivors of domestic violence and human trafficking.
