The Alberta Council of Women’s Shelters has announced Fairview’s Fran Story as the winner of the organization’s Joie Dery Award.
The award is presented annually at the council’s AGM to recognize the “tireless service” of domestic abuse shelter staff and volunteers.
Story is described as a long-serving, dedicated crisis intervention worker from Fairview’s Crossroads Resource Centre and Women’s Shelter. Her colleagues call her a “mentor and role model” at Crossroads, and Story says she was thrilled and surprised to accept the award.
She has worked at Crossroads for more than 37 years, and Executive Director for the resource centre Wendy Biegel says she has shown an “exceptional ability” to support and inspire others during her time there.
“In that time Fran’s unwavering and exceptional commitment to advocate on behalf of the women and children experiencing domestic violence is nothing short of remarkable,” she says. “Fran has an exceptional ability to support and inspire others to find their strength and courage in the face of overwhelming barriers, and limited resources,”Â
ACWS officials say having someone like Story working as a frontline staffer is “invaluable” and means that shelters across Alberta can continue supporting the hundreds of women affected by domestic violence every year.
