Value of Community-Led Crisis Response Team demonstrated at Food Bank at St John the Divine

As a long time volunteer at the Food Bank at St John the Divine, I have often run into challenging situations working just off the 900 Block of Pandora Street. On my Jan 26th shift, I was Crew Chief responsible for a team of five volunteers and fifty something guests. The line was long, the weather was foul and we were feeling the pressure. I was periodically checking on a man who was lying on the pavement just round the corner, trying to figure out if he was sleeping or overdosing on street drugs. A young distressed woman who we had been trying to help began shouting, crying and throwing items a short distance from the people waiting to be served. Attempts to settle her were not working. I could see there were volunteers fearing for her and also their own safety. Momentarily, I considered calling for Security or the police. I hesitated because I did not want to involve those two people in need with an escalated response.

Then it occurred to me I could try calling the Community-Led Crisis Response Team (CLCR Team - pronounced ‘clicker team’), a new initiative that came about in part through the research by GVAT’s Mental Health & Addictions Action Research Team, and an organizing and advocacy effort that involved many GVAT members.

The CLCR Team responded by phone within ten minutes, made some helpful suggestions about how Food Bank volunteers could assess what was needed and determine next steps. Within twenty minutes, their staff appeared at our location, ready to intervene. The CLCR Team were professional, personable and had some very practical advice for future situations we might face. We are really grateful to have the benefit of this resource. 

I am also appreciative of the work done by the GVAT Mental Health and Addictions Action Research Team, among them people with lived experience of mental illness who shared having been through very difficult crisis interventions before an alternative to police crisis response was available locally. The GVAT volunteers spent many hours to learn about similar models of Community Led Crisis Response Teams in other cities, to bring that information to our local politicians and to help foster connections between community partners who then collaborated to make this alternative a reality for citizens of Greater Victoria. 

The CLCR team tell me that their next step is to expand their service to be available 24/7. Wouldn’t that be wonderful?

With gratitude,

Sue Ward

Sue Ward is an active member of Congregation Emanu-El, in addition to volunteering with St John the Divine. Both Congregation Emanu-El and St John the Divine are GVAT member groups.

Please consider entering the CLCR number into your cell phone for easy reference - 250-818-2454. The Team's current hours are Monday-Friday, 7:30am-12:30am and Saturday and Sunday from 2pm-9pm. More information on the CLCR Team is available from AVI Health & Community Services.