el 4 OPINION Poverty is a reality here in Halton More than13,500 children live in low-income households, writes Sabihuddin SARAH SABIHUDDIN Column Imagine having to choose be- tween buying diapers and food or paying the rent and hydro bill. In Halton, there are more than 13,500 children living in low in- come households, representing 10.5 per cent of all children in our community. That is one in 10 kids living in poverty right here in our neighbourhoods. : This is why organizations like the Halton Poverty Roundtable (HPRT) are so important. Our members are regional change- makers who are challenging the complexity of poverty in our com- munity. We work to shed light on all aspects of poverty and high- light the reality of poverty in our neighbourhoods. Through con- necting, educating and acting to- gether, we aim to reach the ulti- mate goal of eliminating poverty in Halton. Over the course of the past eight years, the HPRT has been in- volved in raising public: aware- ness on issues ranging from social assistance reform, to increasing awareness on available housing supports, to the successful inclu- sion of community benefits in publicly-funded infrastructure projects directly impacting low- fe income residents. Poverty looks different in ev- ery community, and Halton is no exception. Poverty is a complicated topic to define, but even harder to solve. Halton residents living in poverty often have unstable employment, insecure and unaffordable hous- ing, are food insecure, face chron- ic health issues, experience finan- cial barriers to post-secondary ed- ucation, and face social exclusion due to the gap that exists between the highest and lowest income earners in our community. A fam- ily of four with two adults work- ing full time must earn a mini- mum of $17.95 an hour to pay for the basic necessities of life so they can live with dignity and partici- pate as active citizens in our soci- ety. Many in our community have to decide between paying their rent, buying fresh food for their children, and paying for neces- sary medication. Halton Poverty Roundtable be- lieves that everyone in our com- munity should be adequately housed, with enough income to meet the most basic standard of living, allowing everyone to eat properly, live with less stress and engage with community sup- ports. If you, or someone you know, want to become more involved in achieving our vision of No Neigh- bour in Need' please check out our website at www.haltonpoverty- roundtable.com or on twitter @HaltonPovertyRT. -- Sarah Sabihuddin is the Hal- ton Poverty Roundtable director of communication-engagement. EMPLOYEE CLE DEREK K. -- dS HERE -- SNAPSHOT Shawna Reeve photo Champion reader Shawna Reeve snapped this photo from her condo at James Snow Parkway during last Thursday's thunderstorm. Do you have a fun, cute, unique or~ interesting photo taken in Milton? Send your Snapshot submission to cohara@metroland.com. Please include a short description and the name of the photographer for publication. 8102 'ZL Ainp 'Aepsuny) | uoidwey) ueipeus) uo | ~ _ OPINION The world needs more Canada We need to be a moral compass for . America, says "Sheikh "Universe." When broken down, it's comprised of "uni," meaning one, and "verse," mean- ing song. One song being sung by one humanity. Pierre Elliott Trudeau once de- scribed the: relationship and closeness to America: when America sneezes, Canada catches a cold. True, we share a special closeness and bond with America. It is time for Canada to help "Make America Great Again." Be the conscience that awakens mis- guided thinking and actions of a great people. Protectionism and bullying is often cloaking fear. Let's put our collective arms around them with love and com- passion, guide them back to their natural inclination to do good - be good. It is heart-wrenching, beyond humanity, that this great nation er? CEE re) r's EASY 1 GET INTO Ey els) "all offers expire July 31st, 2018 See dealer for detenls. : EE MILTON ei 1967 = ASE a nice place to do business MAQBOOL SHEIKH - Column could fathom let alone act to sep- arate the children from the fami- lies of asylum seekers. How bar- baric and unjust an act of political intent perpetrated on innocent lives. This is horrific; it's terroriz- . ing seekers of a better life. The collective human conscience must stand up and apply pressure to initiate change. Canada sets a gold standard in welcoming people to this great land with respect and honour. Ho- nouring the humanity. of each person, respecting their right to be treated fairly and access to wonderful God-given attributes of "grace" and "mercy." Canada understands the riches of the world are meant to be shared and ~~ not hoarded. Canadians under- stand all we have is temporary as none of us are taking any of the worldly goods witlris when we die. Canadians understand when we give to others, when we assist others, when we welcome others, we are also helping ourselves. As a Canadian Muslim, I know these are also Islamic values. I also know these are values shared by ~ all religions. Knowing that all we have was given by God and being grateful to Him. We are reminded that governments are there to serve the people in a just manner, with grace and mercy. Islam re- minds us that, eventually, we give account to God for our actions. Let's assist our American friends to correct their ways. Sign a petition (Change.org), speak to your MP to apply pres- sure via the United Nations and possibly even suggest Canada takes in some of these families. Take action. -- Magbool Sheikh is the Ah- madiyya Muslim Jama 'at Cana- da's director of advocacy and public relations. Follow him on Twitter @thecndnmuslim. 635 MAIN STREET E., MILTON Wwo2°uoy|eyapisul