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16 - The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday July 12, 2006 www.oakvillebeaver.com `KSM is the beacon at the top of the street' Continued from page 13 "I shower five hours a day...I want to be squeaky clean for KSM," said John. "It's something to look forward to. KSM is the most addictive place in the world." The $100 weekly cost for a camper aged five to 16 is paid by the agency's donors. KSM is supported by 45 local and area churches, businesses, service clubs, schools and individual supporters and more than 200 volunteers. One little boy, small for his age, said on the Changing Young Lives video that "I don't have to fight to fit in." Frank has been coming to KSM's summer camp for three years. "We started our summer camps 12 years ago with 15 kids and three counselors," said Shantz. KSM started two years later, in 1996. The professionally produced video begins as a night-time police drive-through along Kerr Street with voice-overs of troubled youth. The first face that comes into focus is that of Constable Ellie Van Vliet, who has walked the Kerr Street beat for more than 15 years. A community booster, Van Vliet said on video that the "presence of KSM on Kerr Street has had a positive effect" and the crime rate has dropped. "KSM is the beacon at the top of the street," she said. "We help our most vulnerable citizens," said Shantz, referring to the children of single-parent fami- lies, new immigrants and the working poor who participate in the eight-week summer camp. "Relationships are created and strengthened here...relationships that last a life time," said Shantz. "It's not about throwing money at programs ­ that doesn't work. It's about relationships." But, it's not only troubled youth who seek out KSM's compassion. Adults have also come for a help. One of them is John Quesnelle. "At KSM, people care," he said on the video. His chin quivering with emotion, he tells the story of his life, having spent 20 years in seven prisons. "I was abused, sexually and physically, by my father and I hated everybody. I was tied up in the backyard like a dog. I used to steal newspapers from vendors on Yonge Street in Toronto and sell them to get money to buy bread when I was only seven or eight years old. That was the first time I was arrested. "The first time I came to KSM, I was afraid to go in. I was out of work and wanted some bread for my family. We had nothing at home. I was invited in ­ I just wanted to pick up some bagels for my kids. I was invited to come in and talk to Ron (Shantz) and he told me there's food for my family. "I first thought these people wanted something from me ­ people don't just offer you food. I learned there are people in this world who love you for who you are," said Quesnelle on video. Since its inception, KSM has helped 2,200 families, served 50,000 meals, welcomed 1,370 day campers and more than 20 of them have become camp counselors. To donate to KSM's summer day camp, visit www.kerrstreet.com or call 905-845-7485. The summer day camp is one of several programs offered by KSM including a youth drop-in, after school program, The College free internet café, Kerr Street Market weekly legal clinic and an adult literacy program. ­ Wilma Blokhuis can be reached at blokhuis@haltonsearch.com.