There’s a new executive director steering the ship at the Airdrie and District Victims Assistance Society (ADVAS).
Karen Kuntz assumed ADVAS’ top administrative position in September. Prior to accepting the role, she worked as the member administrator for the Alberta Police Based Victim Services Association while living in Medicine Hat. She said that role is how she learned of the opening at ADVAS, and the size and scope of the charity is what attracted her to the organization.
“I’ve always known a bit about Airdrie based on my previous work,” she said. “I knew the previous interim executive director, Lori Rehill, and worked with her at the provincial level. Knowing [Rehill] and her program, and how it would be laid out was very intriguing for me.”
Formed in 1992, ADVAS provides critical support services to local victims of crime or tragedy – particularly family violence or assault. According to ADVAS’ website, the society works with agencies like North Rocky View Community Links and Airdrie RCMP to facilitate access to crisis intervention services, as well as follow-up consultations and court support throughout the entire legal process.
Now three months into her new position, Kuntz said what she has noticed is how busy ADVAS is and how dedicated the charity’s staff are to their jobs. According to a recent press release from ADVAS, the charity provided critical assistance in more than 4,300 cases last year – a 56 per cent increase from 2018 and an 88 per cent increase compared to five years ago.
“Even through COVID, there is still such a strong need for victim services, and we are essential workers,” she said. “Even though the way that service delivery plays out might look a little different, to me, it’s still so important. I’m seeing that by being able to call the victims, stay in touch with them and help them through the difficult times.”
Kuntz has worked in victim services for 21 years. She said what motivated her to pursue a career in the field was a traumatic experience she experienced when she was young – her father was killed by an impaired driver, and her mother suffered life-altering injuries as a result of the collision.
With no formal support system for victims of crime offered at the time, Kuntz said she felt lost afterward.
“Having been in those moments, I knew only too well what it would have meant to me to have someone there, someone to explain what was happening,” she said. “Someone to even just bring you a glass of water or call other people you might need. It was a lived lesson and experience that pushed me forward to join victim services. Now, knowing how we support people still, to this day, it is still a passion, for sure.”
While COVID-19 continues to impact how ADVAS delivers its services, Kuntz said she looks forward to continuing to lead the charity through and after the pandemic.
“We have a great in-house team of staff and I’m really excited to work with them and move forward and to build on our service delivery for the community – that’s exciting for me,” she said.
Scott Strasser, AirdrieToday.com
Follow me on Twitter @scottstrasser19
