Over the past ten years, awareness about community safety has grown largely in the Humboldt area, thanks to the successful implementation of one organization.

Safe Communities Humboldt and Area celebrated its tenth anniversary on Friday, reflecting on the past, and looking forward to the future.

"It started as an ad hoc committee, and organizations already coming together and doing work with the PARTY program, and helmet safety," said Executive Director Tracey Shewciw. "(We) really needed an entity to be a leader within that injury prevention education, and there became Safe Communities Humboldt and Area, and ten years later, we're going strong and looking forward to the future."

"We work with about 275 volunteers each year, who put in thousands of hours on an annual basis," she continued. "Every one of our programs really has a lot of heart from individuals and organizations."

Shewciw is the outgoing executive director, and took time to look back on her experiences over the years.

"Its been life changing. I've really learned the importance of injury prevention, and how many lives are really changed in one injury. A lot of people think, and I used to think, if you injure yourself, you hurt yourself. Through this I've gained lots of knowledge of how hundreds and thousands of lives are changed when there is an injury that happens."

Outgoing Executive Director Tracey Shewciw with Humboldt Mayor Malcolm Eaton.

Staying within Humboldt, Shewciw is moving to a new position with Sask Central Victims Services.

"Its so bittersweet for me, I have really enjoyed my time here. (I'm) looking forward to the new challenges, but at the same time, I'm really going to miss being apart of this organization, although I will continue on as a volunteer."

She added that among the highlights of her time as the executive director and program coordinator is the PARTY Program, Bike Rodeo, Ag Safety Day, but perhaps especially, seeing young kids learn about safety and the impact it has on them.

Sherri Hinz has been appointed to take over for Shewciw.

Having worked for provincial and federal government, along with owning her own business, and volunteering on school community council's, Hinz is eager for a new challenge.

"I'm very excited, it's a wonderful opportunity," she explained. "As you heard from our celebration today, the history, and the ongoing work that we're doing with injury prevention and safety in Humboldt and area, its paramount that we continue that work going forward."

Part of that work will be tapping into areas to bring new programs, and more awareness to the Humboldt area.

"Big shoes to fill, obviously, with Tracey taking on a new role and myself stepping in. We've got some priorities that we haven't been able to execute thus far, so there is definitely some things in the work, so I'm hoping I will be able to bring those to the forefront, and offer some new programming in the community that we haven't been able to in the past."

Hinz began working with the organization in September and is expected to take over towards the end of October.

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Hear more with both Shewciw and Hinz in interviews with Bolt FM's Angie Dukart below.