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32 - The Oakville Beaver, Friday September 5, 2008 www.oakvillebeaver.com United Way of Oakville poised to kick off 2008 campaign M ore than 100 people will join the United Way of Oakville (UWO) at the kickoff of its 2008 campaign. Members of the local business community, campaign organizers, local politi- Let Halton Region Help You With Your Hiring Needs Join us at our JOB FAIR Receive résumés on the spot Thursday, October 16, 2008 Burlington Convention Centre 1120 Burloak Drive, Burlington 12:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. cians and United Way-funded agencies, staff and volunteers will take part in the kickoff on Tuesday, Sept. 9. The event will be hosted by The Weather Network. The 2008 campaign goal will be announced at the event. Jill Yousie, the new UWO 2008 board chair; Ann Mulvale, 2008 campaign cabinet chair and Pierre Morrissette, chair and CEO of Pelmorex Media Inc. (which operates The Weather Network) will each deliver remarks. The 2008 campaign has been updated with a new look and feel and will boast a new slogan. It will focus on the individual needs and unique characteristics of the Oakville community. Last year, United Way of Oakville invested more than $2.1 million in the community with priorities of strengthening families, supporting those in crisis, promoting self-sufficiency in individuals and supporting independence in seniors. In all, more than 30 human and social service agencies received funding. Staff and volunteers are looking forward to this year's campaign and are counting on a high level of community support, a strong board of directors and an enthusiastic group of volunteers and agencies to take the 2008 campaign to new levels. United Way of Oakville provides funding to more than 30 local human and social service agencies with an emphasis on prevention and crisis intervention. This balance allows United Way to help maintain the ongoing health of Oakville and to provide support to those in the greatest need. For more information, visit www.uwoakville.org. -- Submitted by the United Way of Oakville Library draws kids into books S Limited space for commission based businesses Halton Region eptember is a time when our children's education is at the forefront as a new school year begins. For the Oakville Public Library (OPL), fall is when we celebrate our children's programs and services, including our Every Child Ready to Read initiative. This fall we have even more reason to celebrate as Oakville Public Library now has a full time children's advocate. Speaking about introduc- ing herself as the OPL Children's Advocate Sharon Yates jokes, "I can tell some kids and adults are wondering if I wear a cape and leap from tall buildings. It helps when I say the title is another way of saying I manage Oakville Public Library programs and services for children and their families." With the job of making sure that OPL's Children's Services are the best they can be, Yates knows it is not just children's programs that make OPL special, "We have language rich children's spaces, Book Nooks, throughout the community, an early literacy Discovery Centre, great collections, and welcoming, knowledgeable staff. I am thrilled and humbled to find myself leading such a service." Our newest Book Nook will open this fall at the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) near Longo's at Trafalgar Road and Dundas Street. Book Nooks across Oakville provide reading materials to young community members whose parents have difficulty accessing the library. Books can be borrowed without a library card, on the honour system. The new HMC Book Nook will offer children's books in various languages, in a cozy, barrier-free environment. Traditionally, the role of the Children's Services's staff has been to create, encourage, and nurture a culture of reading in children. Yates, believes reaching parents and caregivers is just as important. "Research tells us that when a child has a significant adult in his or her life sharing books, reading aloud, talking about what they are hearing, seeing, and doing, that child will have much less difficulty as a developing and practicing reader." Our Every Child Ready to Read campaign introduces parents and caregivers to the fun, easy ways to explore and experience pre-reading skills. These skills have been incorporated into all of our children's services. To pick up an Every Child Ready to Read Parent Guide, visit the library or our website for some tips and explanations of the six reading skills that should be developed to aid a child's literacy journey, at www.opl.on.ca. By engaging parents and caregivers, we can get every child ready to read in Oakville. -- Submitted by Oakville Public Library