Diane Helmy (centre above) has been named the Toronto Police volunteer of the year for her work in the Victims Services Toronto. Ms Helmy was an undergraduate in Criminology Ethics, Society and Law at the University of Toronto when she was inspired to join. That was 2007 and she is still there. Executive Director Bonnie Levine made the presentation and described the front-line work done by volunteers like Diane. “The work that we do at Victim Services Toronto is unique, to say the least,” she said. “Day in and day out, we expose ourselves to trauma and support victims often at the lowest points and most devastating moments of their lives. One of the most difficult aspects of our job is sitting with and holding space for another person’s pain and suffering and meeting it with care and compassion. It takes a unique, skillful, caring and genuine person such as Diana to volunteer their time to provide this difficult and often taxing support to those who need it most. Diana exemplifies selflessness, generosity and kindness.”
