Williams Lake community well-being and safety plan coordinator said she sees firsthand how many people in the community are willing to step up and help the most vulnerable citizens. A former educator, Silvia Dubray was hired by the city in 2021.
During a committee of the whole meeting Oct. 17, Dubray presented a report to council where she shared successes, including highlights from the Cariboo Chilcotin Acute Response Table (CCART).
Formed in 2019, the CCART meets on Tuesday morning with the intent to connect vulnerable people with services to help them get on track.
She said the top referring agencies are RCMP, Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) and BGC and the top lead agencies are Interior Health, CMHA, BGC and Adult Probation.
People do have to volunteer to accept the services but the statistics are good, Dubray said.
“Last year we had 57 per cent, this year we are at 66.7 per cent. That means 66.7 per cent of the 57 people brought to the table accepted services and made changes in their lifestyle so they are no longer acute.”
Dubray said she is proud of the members of CCART who have learned to trust each other and better understand the roles of each agency in the community.
“The best comment I have heard from them is that this table has reduced their burnout rate and their stress load tremendously.”
There are three nurses participating CCART as well as representatives from Esk’et and Williams Lake First Nation.
Often they meet online, which started during COVID.
Dubray said Interior Health hosted two sessions on harm reduction for downtown businesses recently.
“Over 70 people came the first day. All the agencies that deal with mental health and substance use were there,” Dubray said, adding it was so popular they held another session in the evening and another 80 attended.
Through a Canadian Red Cross grant, Dubray has been bringing in workshops, for example at the Seniors Activity Centre on wellness and resiliency.
“I loved working with the seniors and what they do for wellness and resilience.”
During the regular meeting Tuesday, Oct. 24, city council voted all in favour of sending a letter to the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General highlighting Dubray’s position and program and formally requesting provincial funding for the program to continue.
READ MORE: Silvia Dubray hired as Williams Lake’s new well-being and community safety co-ordinator
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