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HOPE expands youth support group to Oakville A group that promotes equality and educates about diverse sexual orientation in Halton Region has received some funding prior to its annual public festival. The Halton Organization for Pride and Education (HOPE) has been awarded United Way grants for its youth groups. The United Way of Oakville and United Way of Halton Hills have given $2,500 per year for three years to HOPE for its youth groups. HOPE is a registered, non-profit organization committed to eradicating homophobia, biphobia and transphobia, and celebrating diversity within Halton. It is the only organization in Halton that provides year-round programming for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) community. In addition to the existing youth group, which meets in Burlington on a monthly basis, HOPE says it now will be able to offer muchneeded support groups for youth ages 14-24 in Oakville and Halton Hills. "Our mission is to enrich, educate and support the Halton community through the celebration and affirmation of the history, culture and lives of Halton's diverse lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual, two-spirit, intersex, queer, queer questioning, asexual and ally (LGBTTTIQQAA) communities," states a HOPE press release. HOPE says it does not receive core funding and relies on donations and fundraising to be able to continue to offer its programming in Halton. "We provide Positive Space Training to local organizations, service providers and businesses, conduct weekly peer support gatherings, conduct monthly youth groups and provide opportunities for LGBT persons to gather in a safe place." On April 14, The Day of Pink was honoured at a HOPE gathering at the Second Cup store in Burlington. The group meets at this location every Wednesday at 7 p.m. with everyone welcome to attend. The International Day Against Homophobia marks HOPE's next fundraising event at Canyon Creek Chophouse on Fairview Street on Monday, May 17 at 6 p.m. Raffles, a silent auction and a dinner will be available. HOPE's 11th annual PRIDE celebration will take place on Saturday, June 5, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., at the Central Park Band Shell on New Street. The familyfriendly event will include activities for children, a barbecue staffed by volunteers from Halton Regional Police as well as various vendors and community organizations. For more information, visit HOPE's website www.haltonpride.org. 27 · Friday, May 14, 2010 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com * FREE DAILY SERVICE Morning and afternoon departures to Fallsview Casino *After $10 Casino Rebate Government Photo ID required Morning & Afternoon From Hopedale Mall WEDNESDAY & NOW SATURDAY EVERY EVERY SUN, TUES, THURS,Carpool&Lot FRI SAT From Guelph Line, North Service Minimum 5- hour stay required. Valid government-issuedRd identification photo and Players Advantage Club Card required to redeem offers. Offers subject to change without notice. Offers cannot be combined/substituted. Must be 19 years of age or older to board coaches for casino. Void where prohibited. European Engineering Combined With Traditional Workmanship "Building on the Brightest Ideas Around Glass" + + +++++++++++++++ + May Appreciation Special + $5 Transportation + + Early Morning Departures + + Includes Free $10 + + coin Bonus from Casino + Coach departures include Burlington & Oakville + + (call us for complete schedule and times) + +++++++++++++++ FOR RESERVATIONS CALL Speak up! You can comment on any story in today's Oakville Beaver at oakvillebeaver.com. 905.849.0266 T.I.C.O. #50007535 OMCA Member 1-800-838-1789 www.casinocoach.ca · www.frontlinetours.ca 168 CLARENCE ST., PORT COLBORNE, L3K 3G5