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v Town 's poverty level ranks second lowest in the region The Canadien Champsion, Tuesdav, August 7, 2001-3 By FANNIE SUNSHINE The Champion Five years ago, Lynne Russell put together a report focusing on poverty in Halton. She didn't receive the reaction she was hoping for. "People don't seemn to relate well ta reports filled with statistics," said the social planner from the Halton Social Planning Council and Volunteer Centre. In May, the council produced a video that tells the reai-life stories of fOve people who struggle wîtis living in poverty. "People want to see real people behind the numbers (statistics)," she said. A report was also pubiisised by the counicil that contains informa- tion on facts about poverty in Haiton and life experiences of peo- pie living in poverty. The report is broken down into three sections - "Seniors are the largest group living in poverty because it al relates to income." LYNNE RUSSELL an extensive profile of those living in poverty, 15 testimonies of those living in poverty inciuding infor- mation on tise quaîity of tiseir lives and survivai strategies, and recom- mendations for tise community ta deveîop strategies ta reduce pover- ty. The video is 30 minutes and the faces of tise people are blacked out for anonymity, Ms Russell said. Forty-five per cent of tise poverty rate in Haîton Region is in Buriington, foilwed by Oakville at 40 per cent. Milton bas thse second lowest poverty rate in the region at 8 per cent (2,000 people), just i per cent higher than Haiton Huis. AIl statistics are according to tise 1996 Census, Ms Russell added. "The message we're trying to get across (through the video and report) is this can happen ta any- body. There can be a death in tise family or a layoff or something else that's unexpected." Seniors are at tise head of the poverty chain, followed by chul- dren and youths. "Seniors are the largest gmoup living in poverty because it al relates to income," Ms Russel said. "Most are living on a fixed income." Thse Halton Social Planning Council and Volunteer Centre is planning to present its report and video ta regionai council in tise fail. To obtain a copy of tise report or video for a fee of $25 each, cali (905) 878-0955. - I01MNTN A 2000 Oldmoi ntiue200Grn.Pi PONTIACo BUMCK CATHLLS PONTAC -BUIC o ADILAC GC o ONT A o 900P )se 2 7to choose 5 to choose trom f rom M 7180 #Pl8l7 [Lia 9 4 [tien LVI M n 2 la choose tram """175 #P1758 ýl GRAND AMý] ý-,2001 SUNFIRES j [2001 GRAND PRIX Grj [ 2001 CENTURTS] [2001 SIERRA EXT. CAU 1