Meet Kym, a dedicated volunteer with Luna who plays a vital role in supporting families and advocating for victims.

Kym has been volunteering with Luna since April of 2024 and currently serves as a Victim Support Advocate.

With a strong background in trauma-informed approaches and conflict management, Kym brings invaluable expertise to Luna, assisting families who visit the center and following up with them to ensure they have the support they need.

“I really love connecting with people,” Kym said. “There’s never a typical day here. I spend a lot of time making phone calls to families and meeting them in person when they visit the center. Building those connections is the most fulfilling part of my role.”

Before joining Luna, Kym worked with Airdrie Victim Services, where she developed many of the skills that are now applied at Luna. “I helped coordinate all the volunteers in Airdrie, and when I left, I realized I still had these skills that could be put to good use in places like Luna,” she said. “It’s rewarding to continue doing work that really needs to be done.”

In addition to volunteering at Luna, Kym has been a part of the executive committee for The Thumbs Up Foundation for the past three years. Kym stays busy with a variety of interests. As a hockey player, owner of a hair salon in Calgary, and mother to a ten-year-old daughter, there’s never a dull moment.

When asked about future aspirations, Kym said: “I tend to follow what’s needed. I’m open to whatever comes up and do what the world needs most.”

We sat down with Kym to ask her about her aspirations and her experiences at Luna. Read Kym’s interview below:

How long have you been volunteering with Luna?

I’ve been with Luna since April 2024

What are your volunteer roles right now, including outside of Luna?

Victim Support Advocate

I’m also an executive committee for The Thumbs Up Foundation. I’ve been doing that for three years.

We have a music festival this weekend to celebrate brain resiliency, which I am excited about!

Why did you decide to volunteer with Luna?

I worked with Airdrie Victim Services, which gave me a lot of the skills required to do this volunteer position. Once I left, I had this incredible set of skills and I knew I there were places that could use my skills.

What is your favourite part about volunteering at Luna?

Connecting with people.

It’s never a typical day, but the work is generally involved with phone calls to families who have visited Luna, to see how they are doing. I also meet with families in the centre. Making that connection when they are in the centre, and then following up with them to make sure they’re alright is very rewarding.

What are your goals or aspirations when it comes to volunteering at Luna?

I have always followed what I feel is needed and go with the flow as to what is coming up. I do what the world needs.

What have you learned, from your career, or future experiences, that you can apply at Luna?

I have trained in trauma-informed approaches, effective communication, conflict management, suicide prevention and more. I am using those skills to create a comfortable environment for clients at Luna.

Outside of your role at Luna, what interests keep you busy?

I’m a hockey player, I have a daughter who is 10. She keeps me hoppin'!

I also own a hair salon in Calgary, and I’ve been doing that for 19 years.