Victim Assistance Services of Oxford County

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In 1987, Victim Crisis Assistance & Referral Services (VCARS) began as pilot projects in Ontario. These programmes were established and funded in the province as a joint project by the Ministry of the Solicitor General and Correctional Services and the Ontario Women's directorate. The three pilot projects were designated in Kingston, serving Frontenac County; Sault Ste. Marie, serving Algoma County; and Brantford serving Brant County.

Victim Assistance Services of Oxford County
August 29, 1997	Police introduce the idea of VCARS. Information Session arranged. All Services in Oxford County invited
October 8, 1997	Guest speaker Valerie Goodbrand. Overview of VCARS. Questions and Answers. Volunteers for the Steering Committee were requested.
December 1997	Members volunteered for executive positions. Information packages reviewed. Bylaws & Objectives sub-committees were established.
February 1998	Suggestion to change VCARS name. Funding committee formed
March 1998	Presentation be Sherry Macdonald from Haldimand Norfolk VCARS. Letters to Optimist Clubs, Legions and Moose Family Centre requesting funding.
April 1998	Worked on Goals and Objectives. Donation of $200.00 Brownsville Optimist Club. Personnel Committe formed. Disaster Plan discussed.
May 1998	VCARS presentation at Police week conference. Adopted name VASOC. Discussed registration with Revenue Canada as a charitable organization.
June 1998	Donation of $200.00 from Southwest Township COPS committee. Open account at Bank of Montreal. Donation of $200.00 from Norwich Optimist. Logo developed.
August 1998	Letter of intent drafted. Barbeque/Car wash fundraiser, $1,500 raised.
September 1998	Funding Committee met with Donna Lunn. Assistance received for writing of proposals. Participation in CAPRO Conference. Community Report Card started.
April 2001	Incorporated as a non-profit agency
April 2001	Incorporated as a registered charity.
August 2001	First volunteers complete training.
September 2001	Grant received from the Ministry of the Attorney General.
January 2002	Hired Executive Director.
March 2002	Hired Program Coordinator.
May 2002	Spring training for new volunteers.
July 2002	Victim Assistance Services of Oxford County hosts Volunteer Graduation and Introduction of Program. Victim Assistance Services of Oxford County's Website hits the World Wide Web.