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e Program seeks families wiliing to give shelter to homeless youths By KIMARNOf Seil/ta The Champion ThS e homeless youth of Halton are looking for a few good beds. Actually, they can even be pull-out couches -if they're under someone's warm, safe roof rather than a bridge. Teenagers kicked ouI of the house by parents or roommnates, or evicted from, their apartments, face the reality that Halton has no emergency shelter capable of accommodating them white they gel back on their feet, explains Catherine Dove-Smith, pro- gram co-ordinator for Halton's Bridging the Gap program. Since the Bridging the Gap prograrn began serving the region's youth last spring, il has faced difflculty in finding safe places 10 temporarily bouse young people who need help. "Our biggest obstacle has been that there are no beds in Halton," explains Ms Dove-Smith. White some kids have friends or family who will let lhem stay white long-berm housing arrangements are made, those who don't must be shipped off to Hamilton or Mississauga for shel- ter. Sending teens oui of the region often means disrupting job or ¶sehool altendance, and makes the process of getting them back on their feet even more difficult, says Ms Dove-Smith. With that in mind, program organizers are establishing a Halton "host family" program, to try and accommodate kids in private beds across the region. What are needed are families or individuals willing 10 offer an emergency bed or couch 10 young people who have no other place 10 go. Ideally, hosts would be willing 10 accommodate their tecm guests for four 10 six weeks, while long-term housing is local- ed. But Ms Dove-Smith says she would also like t0 hear from people prepared 10 offer emergency beds for a night or îwo. "We're willing 10 work with people who are interesled," she sa- d A per diem will be provided t0 hosîs, 10 cover the basic rosIs of providing shelter, and Bridging tbm Gap staff will provide ' ~ ongoing support 10 botb the youth and bost. "I really believe Halton is not aware of the homelessness issue," says Ms Dove-Smith. "But we are a community, and the community needs 10 take some responsibility for this." Anyone interested in becoming a host family can gel further information aI an orientation tonight aI Hugh Foster Hall. The Ms Dove-Smith directly aI 1,905) 632-6531, ext. 28. They spend countless hours planning weekly meetings, attending district events, and other trainings and organize camps to help the girls develop the self-confidence and skills required to succeed in today's and tomorrow's world. The talents, flexibility and capabilities of these people are endless and they provide a wonderful role model that can influence academic and ath- letic achievement of girls. Their reward is the smile in the face of a child who has met another challenge and is now ready for the next one. On behaîf of the girls and Halton Division, 1 would like to thank the Guiders for their many hours of dedication. Halton Guiders, you are the best. Carol Harper Halton Division Commissioner Girl Guides of Canada Th CnaiCami TUESHAn 3,20O Iù! 1E VWith more than a dozen programn choices and camp sites in the Greater Toronto Area, there's a camp that is right for your child. 410-928-9922 or 1-810-223-8124 YMCA Cali now to register. AI CORRECTON Due to unusual circumstances, we are experiencing some temporary delays in product shipments to stores. As a resuit some advertised items may flot be available at this time. A substitute wiII be given where one is available or a raincheck wiII be offered. We sincereiy apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused our valued customer. How Kimberley Mason helps meet the demands of growth in Mfiton. Kimberley Mason believes thal one of the cornerslones of any communily is ils hospital. Thal's why she has aligned herself with the Milton District Hospital Foundation. As a volunteer director of the Foundalion's Board, Kimberley helps build community support for the Hospital and solicits donations on ils behaif. She is a member of the Equipmenl Appeals Commnilîme and is currenlly chairing a campaign îo fond a new mammography unit. "With the rapid growth in our area, the demands on the Hospital are greal," says Kimberley. "To meet 1his demand, the Hospital needs financial support and I aspire 10 doing ail that 1 can 10 help the Foundation achieve its goals." We would like 10 thank Kimberley and the many other dedîcated RBC Royal Bank employees who are involved in their communities volunteering their lime to help make dreams come true. To see how we give dreams a helping hand, visil www.rbcroyalbank.com/community. IMagine FM A Canng Company on. Carol Ans H iiiton Dr. W. Kosiow.ki, tebbie t upion j~RBC SFinancial I~Group- BANKINC. - NVETM NI l~S - ISIRANCI