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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 25, 2007 - 11 Distress Centre reaches out for help with a mini-putt community challenge By Andrew Fruch SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Distress Centre (ODC) operates a confidential and anonymous help line for those who need to talk to someone. "We accept calls from anybody and everybody," says Kassandra Sawatzky, executive director for the ODC. The centre is a crisis support line, dealing mostly in crisis prevention. The ODC does not give advice, they listen to the callers and lend emotional support while giving referrals when necessary. "People think they have to be in a serious crisis to call," said Lori Wilson, President of the Board of Directors for the ODC. "But the majority of callers just need a safe space to unload some worry, and someone to listen without judgment." The Distress Centre has a small staff, however, the lines are completely operated by volunteers, who lend their time to help those from the community who are in need. "We have a great group of volunteers, they are the cream of the crop," said Sawatzky. "All the volunteers are dedicated, passionate and committed and they all listen with their hearts." The ODC receives between 7,000 and 11,000 calls annually, although it can exceed those numbers. It is open seven days a week, between noon and 12 midnight all year. But the ODC does not limit itself to providing only a caller support line. The centre goes out into the community and organizes various workshops for the public. One such workshop is `transition to high school', which takes place inside the classroom. They help to prepare graduating elementary students for the differences of secondary education. "We try to discuss what they want," said Sawatzky. "Whether that be leaving friends or ways to cope with the pressure of high school." Another service offered is customized training for businesses. These workshops teach employees the skills neces- "The majority of callers just need a safe place For the last three decades, a service to unload some worry, has been lending an ear to those in need and someone to listen in Halton. without judgment." Kassandra Sawatzky, Oakville Distress Centre executive director sary for dealing with different kinds of people and unique situations. The ODC is now trying something else, a fundraising event designed to get the community at large to come out and participate. On Friday and Saturday, the centre will be hosting a miniputt community challenge. The event will take place at the Hopedale Mall. "We invite everyone to come out and participate in the fun," said Sawatzky. "Bring your family, your friends and support a great service." Organization of the fundraiser was done in partnership with the public relations firm, Hyperactive, which came up with the idea for mini putt. The two have been working together since late last fall. The ODC recruited the aid of the firm to help raise their profile in the community, and spread the word about the services they offer. "I think it's just that there are so many wonderful services in Oakville," said Wilson. "We don't often realize what's available to us in terms of support." This type of fundraiser is new to the Centre and one it hopes will be annual. Original plans were conceived in November and December, with major planning beginning in January. The proceeds from the event will be used to enhance the current services the ODC offers as the Halton community continues to grow and change and with demand for this type of service increasing. 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