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8 - The Canadian Champion, Tueaday, June 22,1999 Bi*g Si*sters suffers volunteer shortage 5v KAREN SMITH The Champion Six young Milton girls are waiting anxiously to make new friends. "We're in dire need of Big Sisters," said Claudia Scobie, executive director of an organization in wbicb women volunteers act as mentors for girls who could benefit from some extra attention, support and encour- agement. The Big Sisters Association of North Halton faces high demands as an increaing number of parents, achools and social service agencies turn to the organization to help enhance girls' lives. While Utte Sisters are in abondance tbroughout north Halton - with about a dozen on the waiting list - Big Sisters can be bard to find, Ms Scobie said. Tbat could ha due to people's time constraints, coupled witb a lack of appreciation of the benetits gained by volunteers, she said. 'I don't think people realize bow much fun it is," she said. -What's; more rewarding them enbancing tie life of a cbild?" Often Little Sisters live Un single-parent homes, and it's some- times difficuit for the parent to find tUme to give the cbild ail the emotUonal support she needs. "Her Big SUster, in many instances, eases the need through a positive, non-judgmental ftUendship," said Ms Scobie, who's also the organization's caseworker. Friendship Us the basis of the program, she emphasized. Big Sisters aren't meant to ha substitute parents, babysitters, chauf- feurs, tutors or Santa Claus. The program shouldn't break the Big Sisters' pocket books either, sbe sald. Volunteers are encouraged to plan low-cost or free activities. Monthly social functions Funded solely thsnugb the United Way, fundralsers and dona- tUons, tie assocUation holds free montbly social functions such as swimming, hiking and picnics. The organUzation alan sends LittIe Sisters to camp for a week each summer. "Numbers depend on how much money we have raised throughout the year," Ms Scobie saUtU. Currently 28 women ranging Un age from 20 to 50 years are matched with north Halton girls aged from 5 to 16 years, Ms Scobie said. Big Sisters must be at least 19 years old. ,II would like to see women over 50 get involved as a Big Sister," she said. III think tbey have an mucb to offer a cbild." An extensive screening process Us conducted witb.all potential Big and Little Sisters to ensure that the hast possible match is made. This includes personal reference and police checks. Agency members tben provîde orientation and ongoing support. Afier matches are made, a caseworker stays in toucb with the Big Sisters on a regular basis to see bow tbe friendship Us pro- gnesmg. Big Sisters tee their Little Sisters for a few hours a minimum of thre imes a montb. Thme first tbree montbs Us a trial period and if a il goes well, tbe commitment is a year. But because many matches lead to strong ties, relationships oflen continue for sever- ai years, Ms Scobie said. "We are Un desperate need of Big Sisters in noith Halton," Ms Scobie said. "Trwelve chldren are walting to find a friend." To get involved, contact Ms Scobie at 854-9953. Rebecc (lefi) and Louise make a good pair wlth Big Sisters of North Haiton. The organization la ln dire need of vol- unteers. Shatner to speak at Sheridan Film and televîsion icon William Sbatner heads an Umpressive list of guest speakers scheduled to address Sheridan College graduates at the 1999 convocation cere- mornes on June 23-25 at the Living Arts Centre Un Mississauga. Mr. Sbatner will addrss graduates from the School of Animation, Arts and Design this Thursday (June 24) at 7:30 p.m. and will also ha presented witb an honourary diploma and adjunct profesanrsbip at that time. Mr. Sbatner's acting career spans four decades and includes anme of the defining moments Un television history - notably tbe role of James T. Kirk, captaln of the Starsbip Enterprise. A prolific writer, director, producer, and businessman, Mr. Shatner will ha honoured for bis contribu- tion to thme arts, and to lthe animation indus- try Un particular tbrougb bis role as cbief executive officer of C.O.R.E. Digital Pictures, a Toronto-based, digital, visual effecta company founded by Sheridan -rdtes. But Mr. Shatner is not thc only higb-pro- file individual wbo will speak to Sheridan Barbara Tumbull will address the stu- dents from the Scbool of Science and Tecbnology, Scbooi of Computing and Information Management on Friday, Jure 25 at 3 p.m. Ms Tunmbull, a reporter for the Toronto Star, Us a university graduate who often writes about science, tecbnology and justice issues. She was the subject of intense media coverage when she was sbot in 1983 during a robbery at the conve- nience store where she worked, wbicb left ber a quadriplegic. 'Looking in the Mirror,' ber candid and provocative first book, revisUts the incident and assesses how Ut bas helped shape ber life. On Thursday, June 24 at 2 p.m. Gwen Boniface, commissioner of the Ontario Provincial Police and one of only tbre female police chiefs Un Canada, will speak to graduates of tbe School of Community and Liberal Studies, Justice and Access Programs. John Huetber, executive director of tbe Peel Cbildren's Aid Society and well- known advocate for children's services, will address students Un the School of Community and Liberal Studies, Community Services Programs on Wednesday, Jure 23 at 2 p.m. Acton 12 Main Street North, Peton, ON*L7J 1V9 519-85341270, or 853-4700 T a k I n g y o u r cabte further) I Cablework9 14 Programmlng Schedule - June 22nd - 28th, 1999 " 5:30,6:30,7:30pm PtuggedIn! 506:30,730pm huged In! 5:30,630,7:30pm Ouged Mi 530630,730pm PedIn! 6 UCpa Seniors Shoaase 6 OUpni CaMe in the Uassroonf 6:00pra Intennet 101 6 OUpa Ha*d Up Pageteers lOOpin MnneyWeek j lOOpi %m SW aik -s LW 7lOpi TheIssue Is TOOçin I.Mvsonthne Ede 8:00pa HaMo His Courncd 8 UCpm Olassas Agauns 8-OUpin Mm R* ardms 8:0Opm SçsntsONE Luve Feature of the woek: Season Finale of SportsZONE Live - Monday, 8pm c a b 1 e f u r t h e r ) k 1 n g y 0 u r