8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, August 10, 2004 -Wanted:o Women mentors for area girls Time commitment flot necessarily gr-eat, but rewards certai/ can be By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion G iris Incorporated of Halton bas a long list of local girls waiting for mentors and urgently needs area women to volunteer their time. "Theres an exceptional need right now. We have 18 girls waiting for mentors," said Girls Ine. Executive Director Claudia Scobie. "These children really need that support system." The local organîzation, formerly known as Big Sisters of North I-lton, currently has close to 40 women who provide friend- ship, guidance and support for young girls aged fîve to 18 through mentoring. Its getting very difficult 10 find mentors because people think it's a huge time com- mitment, but it's really flot," said Ms Scobie. 'The child really becomes a part of your lifestyle. Take them shopping, or for a bike ride or out to walk the dog." While Girls Ine. only asks that mentors volunteer their ime three times a month minimum, she said many women sec their young companions more than that. Such is the case for Milton's Andrea Sharp, who usually secs nine-year-old Brandy a couple times a week. She's been a mentor for a year now, initially getting involved because she has two tcenage boys and wantcd some "girl interaction." I love i,' she said. 've just had such a huge connection with this little girl. I's amazing. 'd cnjoy being with her every day." Ms Sharp said when ber and Brandy are together, tbey do everyîbing from swim- ming and skating 10 baking and home- work. She slressed that it doesn'î take a huge ime commilment bo be a mentor. "You could gel together and do some- thing as simple as kick a soccer hall around," she said. I wanî 10 impress on people how wonderful and rewarding tl is. Ijust think people could really benefit lrom Iis." Polential mentors, wbich have 10 be- over 19 years old, go tbrougb a careful screen- ing proccos that Ms Scobie said involves an application, police check and reference check witb people oulside the family. Besides mentoring, Ms Scobie said the organizalion also runs many other pro- 'II love it. I've just had such a huge connection wth this liffle gin rlIts Mamzlg am grams, such as monîhly social functions, a summer camp and informaI education pro- grams. The educational aspect covers topics lîke pregnancy and drug abuse prevention, eco o nomie literacy, adolescent hcalth, violence prevention and sports participation. "Girls today face different issues and challenges in their daily lives, and our pro- grams address these issues, she saîd. A program called Discovery Lecadership s also now underway in Milton. "Young girls come logether in their com- muniîy wiîh women and leam about Canadian women in history, discover tic leadership wiîhin themselves and take on a communiîy project," Ms Scobie said of tic new initiative. The local group also bas a fashion show/luncheon fundraiser coming up September 12 at Milion's Glencaim Golf Club. TMe event, running from noon 10 4 p.m.. will feature designer clotbing and door prizes, along wiîh a raffle and silent auction. Tickets cosl $50, whicb includes ~ lunch and wine. "'lhere'll be models of cvery shape, size and age," Ms Scobie poinîed out. "We're hoping Ibis will be one of our key fundraisers." Those wbo would like 10, gel involved wiUi Girls Ine., either through mentoring, fundraising, as an office volunteer, com- miîtee member or board member, should contact Ms Scobie aI (905) 854-9953 or girlsinchalton@aol.com. For more infor- mation, visil www.girisinc.org. Melanie He'ne.sse'v an he reaulhed ut 1 nmhennessev(a20iltono(aniadiatbhapîpiotiî.- (979. Andrea Sharp aaya she's thoroughly enjoy.d belng a mentor ta nlne-year-old Brandy. Here the two work on a acrap bookc cf ail the thînge they'vo dane slnoe they mai. Photo by GRAHAM PAINE ~WCOGECQ" Cogeco CablePrgmmgScdue-TedAgut0-MnaAgst6,20 Truly Local Television Channel 14 rga mn Shd e- usa A ut10-M dy uut1624 w w w .cogeco.ca 9190 Il9am Pagec W 91 110, 1 I am ggd ! 9 10 Ils. PudIn!1 910, 119,1 Pugd If 910 119, PIgge In' 9 910711 PI. d 0910 .119111 75,999410 & .1? m& 12 30m & 12.3p &l 12.30P. , 9 30P.1 10 I T 00,1 12 30p NORTHl HALTON STUDIO 5p.11, . PI 9ged W 1 001P,, Ha 111909,2,91 5pm p Plga 99o9 07111 6p Pgd 1. 4 30po, TV Coq Sports F1911100 Speed y 5711 111 PI. d Irl2 Laurier Plaza O.0p lo n 0911 s 1009,11 - 5pm, 6 p i Plge ln'11 070g 111 PS,9992 111 500 Laurier Avenue ~~~9 Milton, ON L9T 4R3 905-878-9306 7V Cogeco Sporis: Flamboro Spe.dway Raclng - Set 4pm, Sun 1O:3Oam