It's not a role that everyone could fill, but for Grace Hebert helping victims of crime has become part of her life.
For 20 years, Hebert has served as a volunteer advocate with the Bonnyville Victim Services Unit (VSU). Whether its being called out after a serious collision, or hosting a bereavement support group, the Bonnyville woman has repeatedly proven her passion for helping people when they need it the most.
“A friend of mine, she was in victim services, and asked me if I'd come aboard because I'd be compassionate. I gave it a try, got my clearance, got into it, and I loved it,” expressed Hebert, noting that the unit had just started a couple years prior.
“It wasn't as busy then. We didn't have the amount of people and we weren't known for what we do. Now, it has come across. We do so many things out in public that people know what we do.”
The volunteer extraordinaire was recognized for her long-time commitment to supporting victims last week at a dinner hosted by the Bonnyville VSU. Fellow advocates and staff gathered to honour Hebert for the impact she's had on victim services.
“Grace has played a huge role in the work we do with victim services because she has 20 years worth of knowledge supporting victims of crime and trauma. We've learned, staff and advocates, have learned a lot just working alongside of her,” said Candina Wosminity, Bonnyville VSU coordinator. “She's not one that likes a lot of limelight on her, but we just thought it was so appropriate for somebody who's given 20 years of their free time to have some recognition.”
While more times than not it hasn't been easy, Hebert has been there through the highs and lows of the local VSU. She has see advocates and coordinators come and go as victim services both thrived and failed over the years. “There was a time where it had just about folded. I stayed on to keep it afloat. There was a girl in the office that said to me, ‘if it folds this time, it's not coming back',” Hebert explained.
As an advocate, she has also experienced first hand the changes in the justice system over the past two decades. For her, the biggest change was the introduction of victim impact statement – something she pushed hard for.
Hebert knew the effect impact statements; she was the first person to read a victim impact statement in Bonnyville during a trial where she wasn't an advocate, but also a victim.
“It's the only time you have to voice how (the crime) affected you – work wise, physically, and mentally. In a small town, you know the people. You end up with people you know really well. To hear them read it out, how it has affected their family, it's very touching.”
The training for advocates has also received a number of upgrades over the years, causing Hebert to attend training four times.
The biggest advancement over her years with VSU was the introduction of Odie.
“I have worked with him meeting victims, I've worked with him in the court system. It's hard to understand what this dog does until you've been sitting right with him and see what happens. It does go a long way with kids and adults.
He has been a Godsend to the program. He's my buddy,” Hebert said endearingly.
As most can imagine, being a victim services advocate is anything but stress-free. So what has kept Hebert volunteering for over 20 years?
“When you go to a function and somebody comes running at you, hugs you, and says ‘do you recognize me?' You don't recognize them because you've worked so many, but they'll tell you their story a little bit and then it clicks. They'll say ‘you got me out of situations, it helped me.' That's the biggest reward you can get, is having someone say it's helped them.”
During her time with Bonnyville VSU, Hebert has gone above and beyond being an on-call advocate. She also uses her time to host a bereavement support group to help victims and their families cope with grief and mourning.
“Her speciality is definitely helping others with their grief and bereavement. She facilitates a group with one of our staff,” said Wosminity.
An experienced advocate, Hebert encourages others to join her as a volunteer advocate. While she knows it can seem intimidating, the biggest hurdle is getting through clearance. After that, all of the training is provided.
“People think they're scared to go out on their own, but they learn to do it and they're okay. It's just the fear of doing it wrong.”
She added, “It's a great program to get into, but you need the compassion. Some things are hard to go through because you see some very emotional stuff.”
As she approaches 21 years as an advocate, Hebert has no plans on stopping anytime soon, continuing her passion for helping others when they have nowhere else to turn.
