s: OPINION “A STEP TOWARD ENDING GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE S ALL ARE INVITED TO JOIN HOPE IN HIGH HEELS = CAMPAIGN, WRITES | LAURIE HEPBURN The IFP - Halton Hill LAURIE HEPBURN Column When September comes, we think of two things — the begin- ning of the school year and Hope in High Heels. For the last two years, we walked together — but sepa- rately — as we organized virtu- al walks throughout the com- munity ‘during one week in late Septe: We a wee ‘so grateful to all of you who gathered friends, fami- At Firs ly and colleagues to walk down our streets and neighbour- hoods to show your support in ending violence against women — with high heels or not. is year, we bring you a hy- brid event, which gives you the opportunity to walk through- out the week of Sept. 18 to 24 or join us in downtown Burlington on Sept. 24 in person. During these last two years, we have redesigned the event to include everyone as partici- pants (not just boys and men) and to include the option of wearing the heels. How , this does remain our main “campaign, to high- light the importance of boys and men standing up against gender-based violence and join- ing us as allies in violence pre- vention. Women have been doing this work for many years, and now more boys and men are getting involved in women's organiza- tions and the prevention work that is much needed to make a udent, our School Bus Drivers are an integral part of the communities the rve. We are your friends, family, and neighbours! We are proud to offer: mpetitive Pay + ible Hours « PAID Tr “We know that by engaging boys and men in the crucial conversations and the actions toward prevention, we can make change as a whole." change. It is important to have mean- ingful conversations with each other and share our advocacy as individuals who understand that gender-based violence re- mains an awful and often tragic and traumatic reality for many. Through our public educa- tion program and our Male En- gageMENt Program, we ad- dress gender equality and the positive roles that boys and men can play in preventing and end- ing violence against women. We know that by engaging boys and men inthe crucial con- versations and the actions to- ward prevention, we can make change as a whole. LUMBE We are inviting our commu- nity — from businesses to cor- porations to families and friends — to join us in standing up and walking for a world where women and girls are not living in fear in their relation- hips. Walk with us on Sept. 24. To help us make a change, register at www.haltonwomen- splace. com/binh or contact Kait! McKenna at kmcken- waahaltonmomensalace com. Laurie Hepburn is the exec- utive director at Halton Wom- en's Place. She can be reached at Lhepburn@haltonwomen- splace.com. ENTER FOR A CHANCE TO WIN $10,000 TO SPEND ON CASTLE ‘PRODUCTS AND SERVICES! NEWS ACTON PARK IMPROVEMENTS SET TO BEGIN boat’ Town of Halton Hills will gin its Rennie Street Park im- pee mente this mont The revamped ‘Acton park will include an obstacle/challenge fo- cused play area anda multi-court area. The changes and new fea- tures were elements identified through public consultation. Also included in the plan are: + improved landscaping +a range of play elements for children, youth, adults and se- niors . additional trees to provide sl a + pathway connection to the Rennie Woodlot Trai + seating and rest The existing playground area and soccer field will remain. Rennie Park is located off Tan- spring o! CONTEST OPEN JUNE 157 ne SER TEMBER ac A [&] workatfirst.com 905.877.2251 © FIRSTstudent Ne are an equal opporturity employer that v 264 Main St. North Acton, Ontario L7J 1W9 Ph: 519-853-1970 © Fax: 519-853-2542 f theifp.ca