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Thanks to $30,000 from the Ministry of Community and Social Services, the Women's Information and iSupport Centre of Halton can continue support groups for recently divorced or separated women and may 'even start another program for women who have left busive situations. According to Anne Day, who was hired on contract to raise money for the Centre. part of the funding will be used to pay the rent .at the Centre's new accessible remises at Hopedale Mall, Suite 230. Hours of opera- ion can now be expanded limitlessly from the On April 20th, the Centre cele- Brated its new home with an Open House featuring ribbon-cutting by Mayor Ann Mulvale and hearty congratulations from many service agencies in the region. . An infusion of government funding is putting new life into a centre offering helpful resources to women in Halton. "This is what we've always wanted because our services com- plement one another's," said LeFrancois. "Our doors and theirs are always open so we can holler to each other if we need something. We can support each other and even share our facilities." lhuryiay mornings and Tuesday evenings at its former premises at St. John's United Church, said Day. Hours t the new centre are: Monday and Thursdays from 0:30 am. to 3:30 p.m.. Tuesdays and Thursdays from :30 to 9:30 p.m. and Saturdays hom 10:30 a.m. to 2 .m. Wednesdays are reserved for workshops. The first f a 10-week workshop begins April 14th for unem- ployed women seeking jobs. The monetary infusion also allowed the Centre to hire a pan-time coordinator, Cathy UPatmuel, former- Women's centre expands services When the ability to accommo- date a growing number of clients was stretched to the limit, the Centre moved to Burlington. By this time, the Ministry of the Solicitor General. which funds the program, had brought in initiatives based on the recognition of the need to financially support rape crisis centres. However, the number of clients still grew and the Centre's staff members, that by this time numbered nine, found there wasn't enough space for the desks they needed. Finally. larger quarters were rented in a very fortunate location - opposite the Women's Information and Support Centre. she was the only part-time staf working out of a small space ii Oakville where she learned to coun sel by doing it. At that time, then was minimal government funding and little recognition of the emo tional turmoil suffered by rape Vic tims, she said. Mas y with Halton Adolescent Suppbrt Services. She has Iso worked at a women's centre and with abused C By BARB JOY Oak ville Beaver home Centre at lens Air of permanency at rape crisis centre mam- A ,iiisuy MASTERCARD . VISA . CHEOUES The Best in Selection and Price Anywhere , T "V Simon: . Own-Swen least for With a Emu. l idrlil1,: Mic : on the re a mere 1 was the 0 cing out l rille where y doing it minimal 1 "'tifiirF, im mm tttil. irttttM.. on ttim REG. mean on thm “nu. . -" 1r.tS1'Giridyst Miacnmmsalmmmmmse on mm In“- . We" Jllll'ti'iihlll5,5. E has growing the Ha pace r Mall, rmanc 140 Rebecca St Oakville 844-7728 )wmg out e Halton finally col a while. Be long 'iii/ii? .iiiithll,l!, ye be m the ncv 1/2 Staff kc aM " step Francois innings '. years ag part-tim small sl learned t I years ago when part-time staff small space in learned to coun- that time, there rnment funding ome lease o Suite 'agenc about of m two ape to ‘ on -[< 1rji,8,,8,itg,,,it:,t1,,lmr,,la) I it the roost smaller Crisis looked of the o when e staff Its has t the t Hit ne @pedale's new tenants se ht at an W (Bid "As well, our talks to students and service clubs went up 100% last year," she added. "And we talked to the media more this year. We're raising awareness (about rape). Women now know it's not their How quickly the Centre has grown is evident from its statistics. For instance, it handled 736 crisis calls two years ago but took in over 1,000 last year. This year, the pro- jection is 1.400 calls but beFrancois was certain this, too, would be sur- passed. What's done at the Centre is staff counselling, singly or in groups, as well as self-help and outreach pro- grams. The Centre also has a 24- hour crisis line and help is available at all times. Staff and volunteers of the Halton Rape Crisis Centre are pleased with their new office at Hopedale Mall. Shown from left are Karrie Hatton, Lynda Greer, Marion Charron, volunteer Anne Parry, Elcira Salas, Brenda Westcott, volunteer Janice Shaw, Shirlea Potter, and seated at front, Bev LeFrancois, left, and Cindy Beauchamp. "And, as soon as we'd finished fault and they deserve to get sup with that, we started on making sal- port." ads and things for a dinner for our The message has been relayed St 40 volunteers," said LeFrancois. well that women are dropping intt "We really appreciate them because, the Centre without arranging for ar without their help, we wouldn't be interview. LeFrancois added. So far able to do what we do." no one has been turned awav. She i, , , l ' 'i,,-),,,,, l 'ii2 _ P. L, ',s : a" Mtg v"i)ts't',' R L _ \‘ _ 5 _ . MIN) we The cost $35 for l subsidies are available care for children aged 2 Besides all this, the Centre. along with the Ontario Women's Directorate. is sponsoring a May 15th confer. ence, Women Helping Women. at the regional adminis- trative building on Bronte Road. Featured is Carole Bertuzzi-Luciani. a well-known motivational sEIkcr. whose topic will be "Achieving Balance in Your Te." The conference's morning and aftemoon workshops provide an encompassing overview of women's issues. Four subjects to be explored in the morning session are: building self-esteem. family violence. women's health issues and understanding family law. Those in the after- noon deal with nnttrtcial survival tactics. wardrobe planning. personal safety and ctnflict management From the Ministry of Health came funding to train leaders of groups of women who have may become separated and divorced. Volunteers are needed. Besides MCSS funding. the Centre also received a $3,000 grant from the Lawson Foundation in London. founded by a family that has always had a strong inter- est in Oakville. said Day. The grant was earmarked for the purchase ofbooks for a women's resource library at the Centre. women in a shelter, said Day - v on nun use. PM?“ A -1 I I imtttt Shun»!- Dun-SALE: t" 'ha '1 hmmm" 7 8mm: 1 tle, LeFrancois said that some of the clients who contact the Centre might choose to report their abusers to police or take them to court. If so, they can count on the support and guidance of Centre personnel. she said, Or they may prefer coun- selling. "They choose what their healing will be," she said. For more information. call 825 3622. The message has been relayed so well that women are dropping into the Centre without arranging for an interview. LeFrancois added. So far, no one has been turned away. She also thought the murders of two Burlington teens, Nina DeVilliers and Leslie Mahaffy. jarred Halton to the point that the Halton Police Services set up a committee on vio- lence and school children were made aware of the Centre and its role. last-minute registmiions. Some t and there is limited hee child l to 5. Call 8476520. your purchase' Arrwe at a panapanng Fabndand store between 9:00 " and 10:00 All and youll be enmied to 40% OFF Out Regular Prion on your total purchase, exclud- mg sale and promouonal merchandise You'll have Fabndano store between 3:00 All and 9:00 AM and youll be enmed to 50% OFF Ow Regular Pm or your total purchase. exam mg sale and ttmtttthttxtal until 1:00 PM to make your selections and complete your purchase. Arnve at a parttclpatmg Fabncland store after 10:00 AM and you'll be entitled to 30% OFF Our Regular Price on your total purchase excluding sale and promo- seo So heed out S.0.S. ... don’t delag, because 3he Eirrlt hopper will benefit htm the best selection and the biggest savings! .... ne Baum? Saturday, ar 5th! ME DAY ONLY, SATURDAY MAY 15th! vealapa F. until 6:00 PM (Closmg) take your selections and plate your purchase. NOON mks you compute ITlri ()AKVII