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PAGE 14, WHIITBY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY,,JANUARY 24, 1990 Imagine is a national campaign of The Canadian Centre for Philanthropy to increase ICanadians' awareness and contribution to al charitable and voluxnteer organizations. We Ssupport their goals and are contributing space for the Imagine ads on this. and other pages. To bring the campaign dloser to home, the Whitby Free eress is running a series of profiles of the needs and activities of local organizations. Cal us if your organization could use a boost. Stili By Trudie Zavadovica in 1989, Simcoe Hall Settie- ment House celebrated its 6th year m Durham Region. Te house, nestled in the heart of downtown Oshawa, bas had some facelifts over time, but has always remained steadfast in its commitment to-provide the com-- munity- with resources. and opportunities to develop positive life skills. Among the services that Sim- coe Hall Settlement House po vides are programs for children aged 7 to 17, a licenced daycare centre and two seniors' pro- grams. For the past seven years it bas resouirceful at rue a women's resouroe centre. This programn is geared to women who, for whatever reason, are at a cr-ossroads in their life - ques- tioning themselves and what's ahead, or maybe stuck, .flot kno'winghow where to turn. The program is. one of self- disçovery. It includes value clari- fication, assertiveness training and gaining or re-gaining sel - esteem. The five-part program runs Monday afternoons. "Itfs a h fe management pro- gram," says Bonnie Hart, assis- tant program coordinator. «Very ofteri womien are in very dire circumstances. They may corne fromý womens' shelters, or bad relationships. We give themn the tools to empower themselves to move on to whatever direction they choose. Sorne wornen are not sure SIMCOE HALL- SE¶TfLEMENT flOUSE Location: 387 Simcoe St. S. Oshawa, Ontario L1H 4J2. Purpomo to provide. quality 'r-granmng which .facilitates personalgrowth. Pu~.in United Way Contat Sandra Sweet 728-7525 what they want and begin to determine a direction once into the program. Sue is an Oshawa woman who got involved with the women's prograin two years ago. "I wasn't going anywhere," she sys. i'I was stili on mothers' ailowahce. My life was the same every! day. I felt -there was nothing I could do to straighten out my life - to get out of the hole I was in. -After a while I found there was something I could do.» Sue bas returned 'to school. She is taking upfrading at Dur- bamn Collgeanattributes ber chan ge of attitude and lifestyle to t he choioes, support and empowerment she experienced through the prograin. «Al oôf a sudden I wasn't bored, tnymore. I had something to think about during the day and at night. I started feeling good about myself. I didn't at first. I think that's what got me going.» Sue says there have been 60. many changes in ber life. «Fre made changes to my appearance, clothing- and- my attitude. I used to drink too much. Now, I don't drink at ahl. If I didn't start here, Md probably be at that saine chair, stili drink- izig out of a bottie.» Although returning to scbool was a teriynq pros pect for Sue, she did it. She s stili testing the water but féels she's headed in the right direction. Her change in lifestyle bas made a difference in ber daughter's progress as welI. Settlement House also offers a wellness programn for women.- It runs Tuesday afternoons and looks a t physical, spir'tu 1 ad emotional healing. They examine topics like PMS, women in addic- tion, role stress for women and. reflerology. - They also have fitness, craft and parenting prograins. For morelinformation caîl San- dra Sweet at 728-7525. One Canadian in three actually volunteered time to a worthwhile cause last year. W h e n 1 ....... ...........................-... (VOUR NAME GOES HERE) realËized that, I decided to stop leaving ail the work to people like H...........- ......................................and to start (H AEOF ACARING FRIEND) volunteering some time every week. It's a far' more meaningful way to spend an hour than watching far better about than (YOUR NAME) (YOUR FAVOURITE TV SHOW) A dIfe (VOUR NAME) the volunteer, the couch potato. THE G1VING BEGINS WITH YOU. UILLiJIIN are one of niany- groups -Settiement iouse. who benefit- from_ the. servies-. of. Chria I3oie - Whitbyr Proess phco ~ UXA; SEE HOW LT FEELS TO BE. INVOLVED ~% - I