Parry Sound-Muskoka MP Tony Clement presented Muskoka Victim Services (MVS) with proceeds from his annual charity golf tournament to provide Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM) facilitator training.
Clement presented Chris Eby, Executive Director of MVS with $7,500 to certify two trainers. These trainers will be the first certified CISM trainers in Muskoka and they will be able to facilitate trainings in Muskoka to a multitude of agencies, organizations and community groups.
Critical Incident Stress Management provides immediate and skillful responses to critical incidents be they of a personal nature, such as sudden death due to suicide or homicide, or a community experience, such as disasters resulting from floods and fires. CISM supports the individuals directly impacted by the event as well as those witnessing the event. As important, CISM support is also provided to First Responders such as police, fire and EMS to ensure that the men and women who care for us are also cared for.
These two trainers will train and certify people from a multitude of organizations to come alongside those exposed and impacted by traumatic events and support them to manage their immediate stress response and begin the process of rebuilding their resilience and their overall wellness.
Along with training its own staff and volunteers, MVS also will open these training opportunities up to local community organizations including the Muskoka Ambulance Service, the six municipal Fire Departments, the Ontario Provincial Police, Trillium Lakelands District School Board, Simcoe Muskoka Catholic District School Board, Moose Deer Point First Nation, Wahta Mohawks First Nation, Children’s Aid Society, Community Mental Health, municipal and District government staff and local humanitarian organizations such as the Red Cross and Salvation Army to name a few.
Muskoka Victims Services does incredible work in our community, most of which goes unseen by the broader public. I am pleased to be able to support this valuable training, and thank all sponsors and golfers who attend my annual Tony Clement Charity Golf Classic. Without their support, this donation would not be possible.
“Having CISM support in our community is vital to our community’s wellness” says Chris Eby, Executive Director of MVS. “Being immediately available across the entire District ensures that everyone receives the support they need when they need it. Best of all, it is a made-in-Muskoka response. It is local people supporting their neighbours.”
“There is no direct government funding for this training. It has been supported through fundraising. The need for this service has grown exponentially with over 500 people receiving CISM support through MVS alone. By certifying local trainers, we will be able to build competency and skills in many organizations so that more people benefit and avoid having to try and manage truly overwhelming traumatic events on their own. There is no need to feel isolated during challenging times,” says Eby, “support is available and it’s right here in Muskoka.”
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Fran Coleman says
Thank you Tony, with director Eby and team, the funds will be put to very valuable use.