The Barrhead Community Victim Services Unit (VSU) has a new captain at the helm.
On Jan. 4, Kristina Kyllonen officially took over as the unit's program manager.
Kyllonen replaces long-time manager Heidi Magus who stepped down from the position to help her family start a new business venture.
The VSU is a non-profit organization that helps support individuals who are the victims of crime, trauma, death or other emergencies in the Barrhead, Swan Hills and Fort Assiniboine regions. Most often the VSU volunteers, or volunteer advocates, are called upon at the request of the RCMP, but also receive referrals from fire services, the Crown Prosecutor’s office, healthcare centres, and ambulance crews.
Most notably, she said the VSU is receiving more calls and referrals due to domestic disputes and sexual assault referrals.
Kyllonen is originally from the lower mainland of B.C., Squamish specifically. She moved to Stony Plain with her family that includes her husband and three children about 15 years ago and became involved with the local VSU about five years ago.
"My background from university is abnormal psychology and ethics, but I was working at a job at an engineering firm where I did not get to utilize those skills," she said. "So when I saw an ad in the newspaper from the VSU looking for volunteers that would allow me to use those skills and help people, I applied."
During her time with the Stony Plain VSU, Kyllonen progressed through the ranks, starting as a victim advocate, progressing to team lead, before making the jump into administration as a statistician and eventually assistant program manager.
Unfortunately, due to budget cuts, the program assistant position was recently eliminated. However, she said she knew she still wanted to be involved with a VSU so when she saw the opening in Barrhead it did not take long for Kyllonen to decide to apply.
Kyllonen said she realizes she has some big shoes to fill, replacing Magus, and knows she is coming at what could be a difficult time for the VSU.
Currently, the VSU has received only partial funding from the province and when or if they will get additional government funding is not known.
In the spring, the UCP government successfully passed, Bill 16 6, a.k.a. Victims of Crime Amendment Act.
The bill allows the province to access money from the Victims of Crime Fund.
The fund comes from provincial fine surcharges imposed following convictions to help crime victims through financial relief and support programs, many of which are provided through local victim support units. The fund is estimated to be in the range of $74 million partly due to a recent increase. In April, the surcharge was increased from 15 to 20 per cent.
The United Conservative Party (UCP) proposes to use the money to support preventative measures through the Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams (ALERT), the Rural Alberta Provincial Integrated Defence (RAPID) Force, drug treatment courts and the hiring of more Crown prosecutors.
Several VSUs, including Barrhead, have expressed concerns that the legislation could impact their viability, noting the majority of their funding comes from a Victims of Crime Fund grant.
Despite the unknowns about funding, Kyllonen is excited about her new position, saying she is taking over a well-run organization with a group of talented and dedicated volunteers.
For the time being, Kyllonen has no plans to relocate to the community choosing to commute.
"It's a lovely community and everyone has been so friendly and I love the small-town feel and the people in the detachment, but right now relocating is not the right fit for my family," she said.
Barry Kerton, TownandCountryToday.com
