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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, October 18, 2013 | 14 Empty Bowls returns Sunday to St. Mildred's Editor's note: Identifying information of those mentioned in this story is being withheld for privacy reasons. A recent immigrant from Korea, Hanna was excited to start a new life in Canada. The university-educated, mother-of-three, in her early 30s, had an established career overseas, but after arriving to a new country, decided to focus on raising her family and rely on her partner to be the breadwinner. Hanna would devote herself to being a good mother, giving her children whatever they needed and any time left over was dedicated to studying English as a Second Language (ESL). She never expected that soon after arriving in Canada, the father of her children would leave the family and she would be left a single inexpensive indulgence The perfect balance Varadero, Cuba $ parent, with no income, support or relatives in a country where she barely spoke the language. Hanna's story is but one of many the Oakville-based Home Suite Hope (HSH) encounters every year. A local, grassroots charity, HSH recently changed its mandate to focus on providing residential and integrated support for single-parent families coping with homelessness or a housing crisis. HSH provides affordable, transitional housing to those families, while connecting them with support services offered in Halton. While Hanna says she found some support with immigrant placement services, she found her language barrier was making it difficult to find a job and afford daycare for her three pre-schoolers -- she then heard of HSH and decided to contact the organization. "I struggled with language, children, having no job, no money," Hanna said. "But with Home Suite Hope I have help. I can learn English. I can get a job. I can help my children and have hope. I'm very grateful for Home Suite Hope. They gave me a new life." Under the HSH program, which is a maximum of two years, Hanna was able to get a two-bedroom apartment in one of the organization's Oakville residences, get her children into daycare and attend ESL classes regularly. HSH also connected Hanna with community partner agencies, which provided her with parenting support, credit counselling, overall wellness, and legal information for spousal and child support. In addition, through the HSH program, she has been able to connect with other single parents and build connections to help her through this transitional period in her life. Hanna is more than halfway through the HSH program and well on her way to getting a residence for herself and her children, and a job to continue to provide for her family. "I am so happy to have found Home Suite Hope," she said. "They have been so good to me and my children." HSH needs just under $500,000 to operate each year, which is collected exclusively from fundraising and private donations. Its flagship fundraiser is Empty Bowls -- the seventh rendition of which is set for Sunday (Oct. 20) from noon-3 p.m. at St. Mildred'sLightbourn School (SMLS), 1080 Linbrook Rd. As a venue sponsor and community partner, St. Mildred's has hosted the fundraiser for the past two years. Empty Bowls brings together more than 700 guests, 100-plus volunteers and 18 local restaurants and caterers to serve up delicious soups -- those who attend purchase a handcrafted bowl, taste a variety of soups prepared by participating local chefs and then take their bowl home as a souvenir. Last year, the event raised more than $100,000 and this year, HSH organizers have set the target to $110,000. Featured soups this year will include: · Tomato fennel -- Catered Fare · Squash and apple -- Seasons Restaurant · Lobster bisque -- Jonathans of Oakville see Empty on p.19 7 nts · Dec 20, 2013 · All Inclusive · Junior Suite Elegance Club from Toronto · CanJet Melia Peninsula Varadero + /mo for 24 months -OR- $1,189 + $280.16 taxes & fees when you use your Sears FinancialTM Credit Card plus $25 convertible Cuban Pesos paid locally $ 65.92 72.53 Find the best school for y your kids and teens Riviera Maya, Mexico 7 nts · Dec 19, 2013 · All Inclusive · Junior Suite from Toronto · Air Transat Grand Sirenis Riviera Maya /mo for 24 months -OR- $1,279 + $348.73 taxes & fees when you use your Sears FinancialTM Credit Card THE TRUSTED SOURCE. 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