By Sarah Light, staff writer

Local law enforcement, county officials and other representatives gathered Monday at the Department of Human Services to honor those who work for victims of crime in Freeborn County.

The meeting came as part of National Crime Victims&8217; Rights Week, which is set up to remind people across the country that every victim of a crime deserves respect, assistance to recover from the impact of that crime, and full access to the criminal justice system.

Across the country, 23 million Americans are victims of crime each year, and of those victims, 5.2 million are victims of violent crime.

Social Services Supervisor Rose Olmsted said she hopes this week will help bring attention to the rights of victims and help people realize that there is still a lot of work that needs to be done to help in this endeavor.

As part of the meeting, Olmsted recognized Andrea Hall, a probation officer with Freeborn County Court Services, and the Rev. Jim Young with Albert Lea&8217;s Christ Episcopal Church for outstanding service on behalf of crime victims across the county.

Hall said she was honored to receive the award. Even though her job, she noted, is one that is often very challenging and sometimes thankless, she always strives to put the victim first.

&8220;Every crime victim has rights,&8221; she said.

Olmsted said Young, who was unable to attend the meeting, has gone &8220;above and beyond for our agency.&8221;

She described Young as welcoming, kind, compassionate, inclusive and gentle. Hall was described as tenacious, tireless, focused, dedicated and courageous.

During the meeting, Freeborn County Commissioner Glen Mathiason issued a proclamation declaring this week as National Crime Victims&8217; Rights Week and reaffirming Albert Lea&8217;s commitment to respect and enforce victims&8217; rights throughout the year.

Also recognized at the meeting were winners of a color and poster contest sponsored by the Crime Victim&8217;s Crisis Center. The winners of the coloring contest are as follows: first place, Max B.; second place, Kalli C.; third place, Mackenzie B.; and fourth place, Alexandria H. The winners of the poster contest were Serena R. for first place and Kayla S. for second place.

The last names of the children winning the contest were left out because of requests by parents to do so, said Sara Pardoe, with the CVCC.

The CVCC is located at 203 W. Clark St. and can be reached by phone at 377-5460.