8-The Canadian Champion, Tuesday, April 26, 2 005 wwwkngowZ=p.com omniyP g 487 Laurier Ave. 878-2881 <Couple looks to offer help to troubled teens By STEPHANIE THIESSEN The Champion Marg Ridpath and her husbafld, Ian, havea big heart for teens. As parents of four daughtersr they've been through many challenges themnselves and now that their children are growflr they're look- ing to extend a helping hand to the youth of Milton. So they've devised a plan. Or rather, they've expanded on someone else's idea in efforts 50 maise money for troubled teens in this town. Ifs a multi-faceted, double- pronged plan that depends on the generos- ity of Milton businesses and individuals, called Connections 4 Christians. The goal, besides raising money for trou- bled teens, is to bring together churches and the Christian businesa comnmunity, Ms Ridpath explained. Money would go 50 help troubled teens from Milton in various ways tbrough a pro- grain called Awesome Kids, Ms Ridpath said. "If's bringing the Christian community together 50 support and help hurting teens," she said. The money-raising aspect would centre around several initiatives already in the xvorks -a Christian expo. a Christian business directory. a Web site on which Milton churches could post information, and welcome baskets for newcomers 50 town. "My husband and I are keen on belping kids. Outreach is important 50 us," Ms Ridpath said, adding. "If's an opportunity to help Christians corne out of the closet and make tbemselves known." For the Shepherd's Guide business direc- tory and the Web site - www.cbristianci- ties.ca - a fee would be charged to, be iscloded. Ms Ridpath said familles 1675 in toNsr mighsli find the Web site usetul sshes look- nsl for family oriested evesîs. .Wîth sucli giîîsth sn the area. people aretAt ass are îlshaisaailable,- site said. Christiani expo)sitions aî est a lie%\ ide,î but onse hasnit becs lîcld before on Miltos. Ms Rîdpath said. The expos provide unique netsvorking opporionîties lot boisi- nesses. and briîîg togeiher the Christian business commusity sshile introducing people 50 the various ministries that exisi. Each participatinî' business or rninistry bas a booth, and visitors pay a nominal admission fee. If's expected the first would be held in town next year, Ms Ridpath said. The welcome baskets are modeled after the Welcome Wagon idea, and are designed 50 introduce those new in town 50 Milton's comtnunity of churches. Each church pays t0 bave information about it included in the baskets. These are expected 50 be distributed starting this umr "We're trying t0 bring everyone in the whole area together," Mr. Ridpath said. "We're trying 50, get everyone 50 realize the needs out there that are separate fromn their own church." He added there are about 22 churches in -the Milton area. "We want to bring chorches together to say, 'We in our community are growing at an unbelievable rate. Can we get together to help youth and welcome new people?"' It was Dundas resident Ken Quiggan who came up with the vision for Connections 4 Christians, and who owns the Shepherd's Guide directory for Hamiltonl-alton. He purchased is specifi- cally to maise money for kids in Hamilton and Halton, Ms Ridpath said. ,The Ridpaths decided they wanted 50 take on the task of co-ordinating the Milton branch of bis vision. Mr. Quiggan will play a key role in the programs the money raised will go toward. He owns a property called Our Father's Farm in Dundas, and the vision is to mun a day programn and then a week programt out of the faim for seens facing various stmug- gles. Though if's located on Dundas. Milton teens would be welcomed. If's important that the money raised locally go toward local kids, Ms Ridpath said. -We wast the events in Milton 10 service kids in Milton," she said. adding 90 per cent ot the fonds raised would go directly t0 helping young people. -We know Ken. sve know he's credible and sve know, he bas a heurt for teens." Evesîtually, the goal is 10 hîîld senhinars and svorkshops tor bîîth teens and parents. So lai. sttpport fron loîcal churcites lias been very polsitive. Ms Ridlîath satd. 'li's excîisgn thai so tîiany (churchesi have corne oit board tîl help with our ser_ ices.' She added aîîyose sshî thinks Milton bas no troubled tecîts is wroiig. 'Alihoughi you don't sec theni os the sireets. I believe there are honting teens.- I-or more informaion, cati 1-877-232- 9252 or (905> 844-2322. Steplîonie Thiessen con be reaclied or sthiessenemiltonr'onoidiaoic-harnpiîn.com. Phots by GDRAHAM PAINE Marg and Ian Ridpath are starting several initiatives to raise money for troubled teens. W2COGECQ Cogeco ,Cable Channel 14 Programrnn Schedule - Tuesday, April 26 - Monday, May 2, 2005 Druly Local WIlvisiofl t Mpm PMaggcd In! EXIiA 12:1Mpmn OH Cap: Si Michaels 12:Mpm OH Cap: North Bap 4:OOpm SOH Cap: North Bey AOpa UN cap: 4 Mpm OHUc 6:mpm lo:30pm Georgetownm Kinamen 6:0Opm Osiri HeakE Biimra @ Fot William tahrhaO i n; @ Fmit lird Plce @Sami clal Wîccer T V Auctin (Lice) www.cogeco.ca CiifliXtlur EX"R crs ur . s accra ilascW5cSoa IdPrlFl 6:0p Pluge In X A 401i Hcap: Nerc Bey 4:Mm L5 CccFmI William fi:Uipci-8:Wpi Plagged Ic! EXTR 6 30pm 6 OOpm Plugged In! EXTRA 6:DOpm-8 TApa Plugged In' EXTRA NORTH> HALTON STUDIO 7 DOpm Simply HAlAi tergecaca Raider, tGielmc Rirs 4mOêr, Gogeon .NPm 1dcm O Cubl.e @1c O :1y Semi-Fa îmc 8 Mpm Tape Delp - OH Cap: 8A pm Tape Bean - O Cap: 6:3Opm-8 Dpm Plugtri In! EXTRA SI. Mbia Icar, Second Plica Finai Place Lauie Plaza BM111:: r5 M"Ol BaShhaAc Sm Ta" Del « 0 c c'3pm Tape DecIas- OHCcp: ilUO0pa Tape ?eiay -UO Cap: LuirlzRdWlimflSi. MIcae, Moffi Bay @ 51 Pla O SemîFinal WienerO@ Strs O:3Spm Oap D cla-D ap: ForWtla Scond laca Fir, laca 500 Laurier Avenue lSXS8pm Tape Dilap - OH ap: 11:22.iai 11» tar léofi aPn O11 StarsO lcSc:pm Tape Delayp-DOH Cp: Milton, ON L9T 4R3 GeaM aidralcwr aiders Ge= aRadersO t905-878-9306 Central Canadian Ar A Hockey Championship The Dudiey-Hewlnt Cup ail this week on TVC eaco, with sma day Tape delay coverage from Georgetown.