Domestic Violence Awareness Month kicked off once more with the 15th Annual Frontline Service Providers Awards, which honours the men and women in our communities who fight to ensure a better quality of life for not only our most vulnerable people but all residents. 

From outreach workers to program facilitators, counselors to law enforcement officials, the attendees of the event represented a wide range of service providers who specifically work with people living with or affected by domestic violence. 

Barb Barber, executive director of the Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society, said it’s extremely important to recognize the work that these people do, because, for many of them, these jobs extend well beyond office hours. 

“So often, we don’t take the time to recognize because we’re busy doing the work, so this event is a really good time to sit together and say thank you and enjoy each other’s company,” Barber said. 

“We often talk about our clients doing some self-care and take care of themselves, but so often we’re the worst ones at it. It’s so important to take that time for ourselves and to get to know each other, and the people we refer to. It helps us do our work better for our clients and be more present and supportive for our coworkers.”

The event is hosted by the Central Alberta Domestic and Relationship Violence Initiative (DRVIC), with sponsorship this year by United Way Central Alberta. 

The event is an awards ceremony of course, which means numerous members in our community were honoured at the event. Three, in particular, were given special recognition for their outstanding work in their fields and their dedication to reducing domestic violence in Red Deer and the surrounding area. 

Damian Bottrell is a case manager with Red Deer Housing Team, a facilitator of the Domestic Violence Men’s Group for men who are or have been victims of domestic violence, and is also a facilitator for the Safe Visitation and Exchange programs. 

Bottrell was recognized for the work in these roles and more with the presentation of a Front Line Service Provider’s Award. 

“I’m very grateful to work with the people I support in the community, whether that’s men, women or children affected by domestic violence. The moments that have stood out for me are housing people. Housing families, or single parents with kids, re-housing them in the community and connecting them with appropriate supports in the community,” Bottrell said. 

He added that he’s also thankful for the relationships he’s been able to build with his clients, and especially for the chance to provide men healthy coping skills and boundaries to better maintain their lives. 

The second recipient of a Frontline Service Providers Award is Cheryl Borton, who works as a Direct Client Worker at the Sylvan Lake & District Victim Services Unit. 

“I think this is a nice recognition, but I think that when you do this kind of work, you’re recognized every day by people that offer the opportunity for us to work with them and honour their stories and create options for them,” Borton said. 

“I think the biggest thing that people might not realize is how collaborative we really are, and how many different agencies are working together towards common goals. There are multitudes of agencies, from policing to an authoritative aspect like Children’s Services, right down to support services. We are collaborative so that we can create safe and stable lives for people.”

This year’s Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Kathy Cave, who was left speechless and emotional by the recognition. 

Cave works currently with Julietta’s Place, which is a second-stage housing facility within the Outreach Centre. She currently leads the Red Deer Housing Team and says they have been lucky to see a lot of successes in reducing homelessness and domestic violence in the community. 

She shared one story that particularly stuck out to her. 

“This person went from homelessness, with addictions and mental health problems, and came into Safe Harbour and did their intake. They got into Julietta’s Place, got their children back and just graduated from the housing program. That person has come leaps and bounds - that’s what’s important. The community,” Cave said. 

She said the relationships and efforts made by the frontline workers in our community are making big changes, and people should recognize the passion that drives these people. 

“Everybody believes in what we’re doing. It’s a whole big community, and it’s not just the agencies, it’s the city of Red Deer and the surrounding areas. We’re unified in ending domestic violence, in ending intimate partner violence. It’s becoming more open, and there is more awareness right now,” she added. 

She said although these strengths exist, there are still many challenges in the community. She said the “not in my backyard” mentality is a big one, and there is always more work to be done in the fronts of reducing domestic violence, homelessness and helping to address people with mental health problems and addictions. 

The awards are a time to recognize and connect among service providers, which ultimately helps to drive the goal of ending domestic violence and shining a light on the ability of these agencies to make very real changes for people who access their programs. 

If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, available resources include The Central Alberta Women’s Outreach Society, the Central Alberta Sexual Assault Support Centre, Victim Services (RCMP), Central Alberta Child and Family Support services and many others.