Thirty years of providing services to those in times of darkness

This month marks the 30-year anniversary of the origination of Boundary County Victim Services, which was initially called Boundary County Youth Crisis Hotline. This week I had the privilege and pleasure of speaking with one of its founding mothers, long time Boundary County, Idaho resident, Judy Dirks, about the organization’s beginning. Boundary County Victim Services started as a 24-hour a day, seven day a week suicide crisis and resource referral line for Boundary County youth on June 1, 1988. The idea of a crisis hotline came after Dirks recognized a need for youth crisis services. Dirks, along with various other community members at the time, began to conceptualize what they viewed as an answer to a community issue in March of 1987. Today, Dirks serves as the secretary for the program’s Board of Directors.

Many Boundary County residents are familiar with Boundary County Victim Services today, however, not all its residents know its powerful history.

“We lived and breathed it, really, for 15 months,” recalls Dirks. As she says this, I could sense honor, gratitude, and awe in her eyes about how far the program has come since its beginning. The money to fund this dream of volunteers was next to nothing, so the organizers had to be creative. There was no formal funding or revenue available for this lone band of planners and their noble idea. Dirks remembers going from business to business where she received donations of staplers, paper, pens and pencils. All the things an office would need to be successful were graciously donated by various community members.

As the program grew, the volunteers noticed an unfortunate but consistent concern being expressed by youth callers. They were calling about domestic violence occurring in their home, usually between parents, or parent and step-parent. It became obvious to the volunteers this was a problem afflicting the community, and its youth was not spared from this affliction. It was only natural and all too necessary to add Domestic Violence, and subsequently Sexual Assault services to the program. This assimilation occurred around 1992 when a local Alternatives to Violence Program was incorporated into the crisis line. Boundary County Victim Services would eventually incorporate as a Non-Profit Organization and operates in that manner today. Current funding solely consists of grants and donations.

During the conversation with Dirks I noted similar, open hearted themes as she recalled the life of victim services. Generosity, community support, and volunteer dedication.

“The program as it exists today is due to the dedication of the many coordinators, volunteers, and the community. It has been an inspiring journey, for sure,” Dirks reminisces. She says one of the most rewarding and remarkable things about the success of the program is the volunteers who have consistently undertaken the duties of the organization throughout the years. Dirks, along with a few other long time Boundary County residents, have had hands, hearts and minds in the program since the very beginning. These founders have been invested wholeheartedly in the program for the entire 30 years that the program has been aiding people in their time of darkness. Other volunteers for Boundary County Victim Services have 20, 15 or 10 years of volunteer service under their belts.

I serve as the lead advocate and have had that role since April of 2014. Janet serves as advocate for two years. Becky, who has been with the program since 2010 as an advocate, now serves as the Executive Director; a role she has had since April 2014.

Boundary County Victim Services today is small in staff and office space but is ever mighty in the vital services it offers. The program affords crucial services to all victims of crime who choose to take advantage of what Boundary County Victim Services has to offer. Hotline callers may choose to remain anonymous. All client participation stays confidential. The organization provides crisis services to the community of Bonners Ferry and Boundary County, Idaho, as well as the surrounding counties and states. The program even fulfills assistance requests from Canada. Boundary County Victim Services gives support, information, education, and referral services to victims and their immediate families, witnesses, and survivors. Additionally, the program is available to assist with restitution calculations, applications to the Crime Victims Compensation Program, impact statements, victim rights education, court escort, and overall support.

Dirks recalls the group’s original mission without ever imagining the number of people of all ages which Boundary County Victim Services would eventually reach:

“If we help one child, one person, prevent one suicide — this (program) will be worthwhile.”

Boundary County Victim Services encourages anyone to reach out to them if they need crisis services. The organization is community-based and confidentiality is the foundation of the program. If you or someone you know is experiencing crisis caused by a crime, domestic violence or sexual assault please call Boundary County Victim Services 24/7 crisis and information hotline at 208-267-5211. Their office is located on the lower level of the Boundary County Courthouse and maintains office hours Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.