Working with victims of crime is not something one agency can do alone.

In light of National Crime Victims Rights Week, the Freeborn County Crime Victims Crisis Center on Monday recognized all its partnering agencies and volunteers who help assist victims of crime.

During what was a luncheon presentation, CVCC Supervisor Rose Olmsted presented certificates to Albert Lea Medical Center, the Albert Lea City Attorney’s Office, the Freeborn County Attorney’s Office, Freeborn County Court Administration, Freeborn County Court Services, the Minnesota Department of Corrections, Southern Minnesota Regional Legal Services, the local ministerial association, the Albert Lea Police Department, the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, the Albert Lea School District, the Glenville-Emmons School District and the Alden-Conger School District.

She also recognized two individuals, Linda Ferguson and Chuck Malepsy, specifically, for their work in helping victims of crime.

Olmsted said every year, the CVCC staff think about who has really stood out in terms of their commitment to victims of crime.

She said Ferguson, who is a nursing supervisor at ALMC, was an easy pick.

She described Ferguson as being supportive and compassionate, someone who will show support to whoever is a victim, no matter their situation.

Ferguson is also a leader, an innovative person who has gone after extensive training, and a team player, Olmsted said.

“Healing begins when you’re with Linda Ferguson,” Olmsted said.

Ferguson, a 1974 graduate of Naeve Hospital’s school of nursing, started in the hospital’s emergency room in 1980.

She said she always had an interest in the emergency room and started forensic nursing in 1991. She’s had numerous training in gunshot and knife wounds, along with separate training to become a sexual assault nurse examiner, from which she’s worked as an evidence collector.

Now, she teaches these skills as far away as Iowa.

“What I do protects the innocent no matter who it is,” Ferguson said.

She noted she was amazed she was even considered for the recognition and said it takes all of the different partnering agencies together to give support to victims of crime.

Malepsy, who is part of the Freeborn County Sheriff’s Office, celebrated his 25th year with the department last year.

Olmsted said he conducts investigations for crimes that involve children.

He’s professional, patient, knowledgeable about communicating with children and empathetic to crime victims, she said. He is also a team player, is involved and is an asset to the community.

Olmsted said though the victims of crime were not at the meeting on Monday, she knows they are grateful each time a different partnering agency reaches out to help them.

At the end of the presentation, Michelle French with the Crime Victims Crisis Center also recognized the winners of the center’s art contest.

For the kindergarten through third-grade coloring contest, Lexus Saltou placed first and Laura Flaherty placed second.

For the poster contest for third- through sixth-graders, Linnea Anderson placed first, Mercedes Saltou placed second and Kathryn Flaherty placed third.

The children were recognized with plaques and other prizes.

On Monday evening, the CVCC also celebrated its 30th anniversary with an open house.