Tl-rriu- ri F, e 204-13 Haiton Region launches Ontarjo Works video By MELANIE HENNESSEY The Champion About five years ago, Oakville resident Bozena Labocha Ieft herà husband and fied to a womnen's shelter wtth her two children. She couldn't speak English. and she didn't even have a high school diplona. While Ms Laboha's situation is heartbreaking ta hear, local res- dents gat ta see the happy ending and basw Ontario Works tumed her life around Tuesday afternoon at the Halton Regional Centre. sihere Ontario Works lauîtched ils new orientation videa. The tîtta tells the story of nine current and former rectptents of Ontario Works assistance througftout Haitan and shows hosi the system got ilhem hack on their lcet. The videa. aimed at new Ontario Warks applîcanîs. emphasîzes that it's mare than just a itiatial asststance prograin- tt alsa helps people get an educattoi and get back out tnto the worktorce. -l tbîîîk the idea of Onîtario Wurks being just welfaee is a mis- conceived idea. It's nat jusi the money yau're provtded wtth- you re prîîvtded wtth the support and ability ta tmprove yourself -~ oZ and ta bc able ta mose on,- said Sue Bond of Burlîngton. Ms Bond was a single parent with no incarne or emplayment esperience when she enltsted the help of Ontario Works. -1 thought 1 was gatng ta be a housewîfe for the rest of rny lîfe." Wiîfiin twa years. Ms Bond becamne a regtstered practtcal nurse mnd ts naw workîng at the Brant Cetntre. -Now. 1 kn isho 1 want tir be. l'i a better moîher, she satd. Foîr Mohammed Akbart af Oakville, Ontario Works helped him gain Canadian experience necessary ta get tata the job force. Mr. Akbari fled Afghantstan sstth his yaung famnily and spent 10 ? years in a refugee camp. Althougb be's a ctvil engineer by trade, he siastit ible to convince patential emplayers of bis credentials because tbey're foreign. Tbrough a cammuniîy placement tn Haltan's public works department. Mr. Akbarî bas been able ta get valuable local experi- Photo by HON KUZYK ence Ltnder bis beli. From lefI, celebrating the videa iaunch are Burlingtan Regional Councilior Rick Craven aiong with videa participants -l ani happy ta the extent that I arn exosed ta new tbîngs new Sue Bond, Bozena Labacha and Mohammad Akbari. technologies, new metbods. computer operations. things like that, tie satd.Su Si A%ýi Taday, Ms Labocha is tint in Englisb. bas a high schoal d pIo a nma. a college diplna in business adminoistration and finance and B is ssorktng at the Region's Business Development Centre tbraugh ESlG a placemetnt. E -The reasan sNas for my cbtîdren. a futuie for my children. s te s a d o I e r ia r d w o r k . R The sidea participants alsa had many tidbtts of ads ice and pos tisre îhoughts for new Ontario Works applicamts. Keep an openr iindI.«satid Ms Bond.-Thîs isn«t the end of te... nortd -it's j05 tîte begining-nn Mlaio I-enîîi.oi' h n bneri/t(ed uat iili,îiiîrrî i(tiiiton- R b r rhidrtii Iinti<iirrflior ~fl,,A Mature Way Halton Child and Youth Services't e- AMICA AT ERIN MILLS Temporardly moving services OPNHUE4620 Kimbermount Ave. from 443 Centennial Forest Drive in Milton. 11s.A - 3:.p Mississauga, ON Our WALK-It CLINIC wiII be hsld at 90rid -g5.8i6.9163 ST. PAIJLS CHURCH Sfy9 eui (pakin an S» u nMf Freedom & Independence Fuli service rentai (prigadaccess to church on Main Street only) A mcwehvfon tebane-alwrp du retiremnent suites At Anic wehav fond he alace ai wrppe up Elegant restaurant Every Wednesday, 12 noon to 5:3Opm. in the loxury of resort-style living. Imagine personal style diing assistance 24/7 without compromisîng your freedom f6r porntnent. n besadIcto oftneei and independence. Isn't this the lifestyle you'1ve fîtness prograaty fifl- urent(lint tobearranged ftrough it therapists. always wanted, the lifestyle you deserve? ins porm luIl .ca AW LNS N Vs AIY R sDNC Dr Svien Bacchus Now accepting 31Commercial Street-Suite 209.Miltoît (]ertified Oriloolic Sýpeciailist new patients! 31TeI.9058752995 milesBraces for Children & Aduits flxbepar nient ptans free consultations that last a no referaI necessars - cati to hoou Kour consultation dicor on duto on S aturdavs & MlondavbG1N Lifetme 'ffic oten %Ion.. Wed. Fni, Sat. 1)D)5 NtSc. BSc. FRCD(C) IFOR FLJRTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CALL I 905-875-2575 (Press 0)