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3| NOW ‘N Refinishing scrviczs availablzfiixm as race” for a [we quote! Whg Wthn WiZ mak it possibig to low gour furniture, all ovizr again” 1-348 Bronte St. 3., Milton 0 905-693-9595 e 51¢ QM www.mrtazzy.com $1 30.} 0 Complete Auto Service Factory- scheduled Maintenance A( IAI N «(an flung.) MC Mercedes 0 BMW 0 Audi Volkswagen 0 Acura 0 Subaru Shocks G; Heating & Milton’s Largest and Best Equipped European Car Service Centre 0 Tune-ups . 0 Check Engine Light Transmissions Precision Alignment Service Inspections 'I‘ireSalean “than 150 women graduate and find em- ployment since it was established in 2004. The program is unique in that each partner provides something that on its own would help, but wouldn't necessarily address other concerns that would allow the participants to return to school. For instance, the OCF will pay for the partici- pants’ tuition and books. A significant contriâ€" bution, it wouldn’t allow a single mother to return to school because she would still have expenses such as rent and day care. “I had been looking into going to college and was overwhelmed with the cost of everything from tuition fees and books to traveling costs and daycare bills," said Linda, a 32-year-old single mother of three. (Her name, like Rebec- ca's was changed, and their stories provided through interviews with HSH). ”I was feeling like it would never be possible." HSH executive director Michelle Pommells said the goal was to find a long-term fix to break the cycle of poverty. ”How can we get a solution that is not a Band- Aid?” she said.“How can we help these women reach a whole new level of self-sufficiency?" Working together, the community partners are able to provide comprehensive support to help participants succeed. Halton Region will provide housing and day- care subsidies while Sheridan will provide the students with laptops, internship placements and assistance with theirjob search following completion of the program. HSH will recruit participants and qualify their applications. It will also provide support, job internships and advice on expanding the pro- gram in the future. Two other community groups will also assist Combined contributions make Homeward Bound Halton work with the program. The YMCA of Oakville is providing participants' children with swim- ming lessons, teen leadership programs and summer camp experiences, while ArtHouse will provide music, drama and visual arts pro- gramming for children between the ages of seven and ii. ”This couldn’t be done with just one organiza- tion," said Jeff Zabudsky, president and CEO of Sheridan College. ”Sometimes‘students aren't successful because of other challenges they face. This will allow them to focus on their academic success.” The collaborative effort of the Homeward Bound Halton program has Oakville Com- munity Foundation CEO Rusty Baillie excited about seeking partnerships for future proj- ects. ”If we can align on priority issues and knock the big ones down, the others will be so much easier,” he said. “Together we can fund them and do more." Rebecca and Linda will both begin studying business administration in September. They will be two of the first five to enroll at Sheri- dan through Homeward Bound Halton. "What I am looking forward to most by 90- ing to college is learning," said Linda, the first member of her family to go to college.”l am fi- nally going to get the education i didn’t want or value when l was younger. I think (my chil- dren) now see it as a possibility for themselves as well.” The original Homeward Bound program in Toronto has had an 80 per cent success rate since it began. It has been estimated that for each dollar invested in the program, four dol- lars are saved in social assistance. Halton Region chair Gary Carr said then)