Crisis counsellor brought
comfort without kudos

BY ANNA MARIE D’ANGELO
News Reporter

POLICE have been call-
ing Sylvia Hockley for
help for the last 10%
years.

Hockley is a counsellor in
the crisis intervention ser-
vices program for the North
Vancouver RCMP.

She is the one who assists
shocked and devastated peo-
ple left standing around after
suicides, domestic violence.
murders, assaults, sexual
assaults and bank robberies.

“Crisis intervention is
helping people when they are
really in need and that is real-
ly rewarding.” said Hockley.

Hockley officially put
away her pager on Friday.

The North Vancouver resi-
dent for 35 years and her hus-
band are moving to Sechelt.
She plans to take the summer
off before thinking about new
job prospects.

In her job with the North
Van RCMP, Hockley was
called out with police to a
myriad of emergencies in the
community.

Her job was to help in
calming. the situation for a

‘person and to provide com-
munity resources that the per-
son could use for support
after the acute part of the cri-
Sis..

In an average month there
are 20 emergency call outs
and 50 new files started for
police crisis intervention.

There are two police coun-
sellors working in the pro-
gram. One counsellor is
available on call at all times.

Hockley was called out

_ after the recent suicide of a
man on the CN rail tracks
near the old Versatile site.

She was there to help a
bystander who had witnessed
the gory death.

Hackley has also been
called upon to escort battered
women to Emily Murphy
House. a transition house for
victinis of domestic violence.

She has also been there
when police have gone to
homes to inform people of a
loved ones’ untimely death.

“The police will go on to
other calls, 1 stay behind and
assist,” said Hockley.

Her work sometimes
involved going for walks
with clients.

“We talk about what hap-
pened and what they are feel-
ing about what happened.”
said Hockley.

Hockley feaves thinking
of the awful situations her
clients are in, but at the same
time is enjoying the satisfac-
tion of having been the one
there for so many people over
the past decade.

Hockley said often times
people are simply in shock.

In situations of family dis-
putes, a person often has trou-
ble comprehending that the
situation has deteriorated to
the point where the police are
involved.

Before the police coun-
selling program started at the
detachment, the God Squad
used to do similar work in
North Vancouver. The God
Squad was made up of church
ministers who volunteered
their time.

Hockley says that people
in need of crisis intervention
are grateful that the commu-
nity provides the service.

“They always say. ‘I never
knew there was such a ser-
vice.’ Well, you are lucky you
didn't have to. know,” said
Hockley.

NEWS photo Paul McGrath

AROUND the World with Daniel izzard: impressionistic
‘Paintings features the West Van painter’s landscapes
and seascapes, at the Ferry Building to Sunday, July 14.

ARTS EVENTS
Compiled by Ann Harnilton

Around Town is a free service pro-
vided for non-profit and commu-
nity arts groups. Please fax a press
release for your entertainment
event to 985-2104. The News tries
to ensure items appear in the

paper at feast once before the-

event takes piace, but space con-
straints may limit the number of
submissions printed. For guaran-
teed publication contact classified
(986-6222) or display advertising
(980-0511).

GALLERIES:

Government of Canada
Fine Arts Gallery at West
Vancouver Memorial
Library: Doors — and
Windows, oil and acrylic
paintings by Ann Mitchell, to
June 30; Royal Cats and
Gilded Fishes, clay and
porcelain tiles by Moira
Thompson, to June 30. The
Unconscious String, art exhi-
bition and sale of works by
artist Jeremy Walters, July 2,
7:30-8:30 p.m., artist in atten-
dance, refreshments, exhibi-
tion continues to July 27.
Edifice, The Structures of the
World Around Us, watercol-
ors, acrylics and wood works
by local artist Graham Eagle,
July 2-27, reception with
artist. in attendance July 2,
7:30-8:30 p.m. New art exhi-
bitions every month.
Everyone welcome.

Presentation House Arts

Centre: t Became
Unconscious, | Katherine
Knight exhibition, to July 7.
Student = Poster —_ Design
Exhibition, created by
Capilano College Graphic
Design and _ filustration
Program students, to mid July
in the Other Space Gallery.
Gallery hours: Wed.-Sun. 12-5
p.m., Thurs. [2-9 p.m.
Dundarave Gallery and
Printshop: Creibasia, W.V.
artist. Sheila Jonah’s ¢ one-:
woman show opens to the
sounds of celtic pipers, 6-9
p.m., in the gallery workshop,
1640 Johnston St, Granville
{sland, show runs to June 31,
Dundarave Cafe Art
Exhibition: From My Point of
View, watercolor paintings by
Margaret Merler. 922-8973.
Ferry Building Gailery:
Around the World with Daniel
Izzard: Impressionist
Paintings, June 25-July 14,
artist's dialogue at I} a.m. on
June 25, everyone welcome.
Gallery hours: Tues.-Sun. 12-
8 p.m. Pree. Info: 925-7290.
Silk Purse Arts Centre:
Paper Garden Suite, Jane
Lowery art exhibition, June
25-July 7. Gallery hours:
Tuesday to Friday I} am-5
p.m., Saturday and Sunday
12-5 p.m. Info: 925-7292.
Seymour Art = Gallery:
Sculptor Burke Paterson, for-
meriy of Deep Cove, now
residing and teaching in New
York, exhibits interactive
sound = scuSptures and draw-
ings. Hit This Sculpture, runs

ps

NEWS photo Terry Peters

is af

LARS Kaario conducts
the Laudate Singers in
Canadian Content Friday,
June 28, at St. Andrew's
United Church. Tickets:
$12 and $8 through CBO.

June 26 to July 21. Male Time,
oil paintings on canvas by
artist Bruce Perry, shows soul-
ful portraits of men depicting
the journey of life, Seymour
An Gallery fobby, June 26-
Aug. 19. Both artists in atten-
dance at the opening reception
June 26, 7-9 p.m. Everyone
welcome. Info: 924-1378.
District of North Vancouver
Hall: Mind, Body and Spirit,
exhibition by Capilano
College Photographic Media
Ants Program. to Aug. 31.
Glass and metal works struc-
hire, created by artist, Robert
Studer, to Aug. 31.

North Vancouver Civie Halk:

SYLVIA
Hockley has
put away her
pager after a
decade of ser-
vice as a crisis
intervention
counseltor for
the North —
Vancouver
RCMP.

Paintings, drawings and

prints, from the Arts Council -
Art Rental Collection to July

18.

North Vancouver Museum

and Archives: Tools, Trades

and Technological Change,

exhibition, to Sept. 2. Route of

the Gold Rush, to July 2.

Norgate and North Lonsdale

neighbariouds, to September
2. Charles H. Cates & Sons, to

Oct. 1. North Lonsdale &

Norgate: Two NV.

Communities, to Sept, 2.

Hours: Wednesday-Sunday,

noon-5 p.m. 987-5618.

ee CS ol

Centennial Theatre:
Adventure Theatre An
Evening of Swords & Sorcery,
featuring Richard “the
Iceman” Faraci, June 28, call
984-4484,

Grouse Mountain: Bard on
the Peak, July 13: Much Ado
About Nothing. July 20:
Merchants of Venice. Tickets
$13.75 in advance, Call 739-
0559 or 280-3311.

St. Jonn the Evangelist
Church: Lille Muko
University Choir, — trom
Denmark, June 29, 7:30 p.m.
tickets $12 & $10 at the door.
Info: 987-0214,

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