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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 30, 2016 | 12 Turning troubles into strengths kept Walter going by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver For nearly three decades, Melvina Walter was the heart of the Women's Centre. An Oakville-based, not-for-profit organization, the Women's Centre helps women in transition, crisis or distress by means of a variety of programs and services. It held a retirement celebration in Burlington June 16 for Walter, the organization's former executive director, who officially stepped down in 2014 after 25 years with the group. "I'm feeling very emotional about that celebration last night for being recognized for what I have given, although I've never looked at it that way," Walter told the Oakville Beaver Friday (June 17). "I just get up every day, do what I'm going to do, have a plan in mind and then I go forward and do it." The Women's Centre was established in 1989 by a group of individuals who identified the need for a safe place in the community where women, who experienced abuse, could receive after-care, support and ongoing services. Walter joined the organization after reading a small advertisement in the Oakville Beaver Melvina Walter | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver looking for women to start a centre. She began her career volunteering on the first steering committee and board of directors, before moving to a paid position to recruit new volunteers. "I knew it was calling me," she said. "When I was a young girl growing up in Newfoundland, I knew this was the kind of work I wanted to do because I grew up in a Salvation Army church." Living in a small town as a child was all about community ­ "helping support each other through difficult times and giving to someone in need," Walter said. see The Women's on p.14 Follow the Euro Cup at the Pipes & Taps Pub · · · · · · Monday Night Poker Night Wednesday Night Trivia Friday Evenings Karaoke Family Pub Open for Lunch Sports Teams Welcome Proud supporter of the Oakville Rangers Trip Advisor's highest rated Oakville pub Dundas St. Oak Park Blvd. Trafalgar Rd 231 Oak Park Blvd, Oakville Oak Park Blvd #1 In Patios And Driveways Canada Day · stamped concrete · interlocking · exposed aggregate · flagstone · french curbs · retaining walls · garage floors · free estimates Happy Taunton Rd. The Pipes & Taps 289-863-1155 Hays Blvd FREE REGISTRATION JULY & AUGUST J.M.C Concrete Interlocking LTD 905-878-8595 Ask for John www.jmcconcrete.ca