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3 Thursday , O ctober 7, 2010 O A KVILLE BEA V ER w w w .o akvillebeaver .co m quartered and operates transitional housing in Oakville a town where many are hard-pressed to accept homelessness even exists, HSH helps those affected get back on their feet before they find themselves on a bus or train destined for life on the streets in Toronto, Hamilton or beyond. It works in tandem with local emergency shelters such as the Salvation Armys Lighthouse shelter and Halton Womens Place. However, whereas the shelters offer short-term emergency housing to those suddenly on the street HSH offers longer-term or transitional housing as well as an entire advocacy and support system to help people get back on their feet. From advocacy to providing support in job searches, HSH also offers a place to stay for the person and often their family, including children. Empty Bowls recreates the soup kitchen experience, but does so in a fun way such that it has become a popular annual event as well as an eye-opener about the plight of the homeless. Attendees buy a $50 ticket, choose a hand- crafted pottery bowl to take home as a souvenir, but before they do, they can stand in line with their bowl in the soup kitchen set up at Appleby College and sample culinary creations soup, of course from local restaurants and chefs. It is a clash of two worlds much like what happens on the road to homelessness. The event is in its fourth year and is a resounding success. It is a product of the volun- teer talents of many from the 16 participating local restaurants and chefs to the students who help craft the pottery bowls featured at the event. Last year, Empty Bowls raised $80,000. Were hoping to do about the same this year, said HSH executive director Janice Moro. It will support HSH as it operates and staffs a townhouse offering housing to five adults to a six-unit apartment offering housing to small families. A third rental unit houses a larger fam- ily unit. Heartbreaking is a word Moro uses often to describe the realities HSH must face not just on the front lines with people who need help, but in its own ability to meet all the needs it comes across. With requests growing exponentially, HSHs outreach program has also grown. HSH has become expert at advocating and intervening in cases where homelessness is the likely outcome or imminent. Whether its bridg- ing a payment or helping someone get back on their feet before they lose their home, the out- reach program goes into play. Moro likes it, she admits, because its far bet- ter to keep people in their home in the first place. Its less costly and far more stable. Heartbreak is what HSH works hard to pre- vent. Moro uses the word heartbreaking when citing statistics about homelessness in Halton. In 2009, Halton Region received 5,200 requests for low income supports (financial assis- tance for rent, utility arrears, food vouchers) from individuals and families, according to Moro, citing Halton statistics. Support was provided to 3,217 individuals and families. Between 2008 and 2009, there was a 53 per cent increase in the number of requests for sup- port and a 84 per cent hike in the number of fam- ilies and individuals receiving assistance. Between 2006 and 2009, requests for emer- gency shelter in Halton increased from 1,145 to 1,554 (a 37 per cent hike). The combination of growing requests for emergency housing, with significant increases in requests for low-income supports, provides con- text for the growth in demand for not only our residential services, but also outreach services. Persons requesting income supports, would def- initely fall into the category of persons on the verge of homelessness, and therefore part of our outreach services, said Moro. HSH was founded by a group of concerned citizens as the Salvation Army experienced great difficulty in its attempts to locate an emergency homeless shelter in Oakville. While it did finally succeed in setting up a Empty Bowls fills Home Suite Hope order for help In 2009, Halton Region received approximately 5,200 requests for low income supports, (i.e. financial assis- tance for rent, utility arrears, food vouchers) from individuals and fami- lies, according to Moro, citing Halton statistics. Support was provided to 3,217 individuals and families. Between 2008 and 2009, there was a 53 per cent increase in the num- ber of requests for support and a 84 per cent hike in the number of families and individuals receiving assistance. Between 2006 and 2009, requests for emergency shelter in Halton increased from 1,145 to 1,554 (a 37 per cent hike). Heartbreaking statistics Continued from page 1 Persons requesting income supports, would definitely fall into the cat- egory of persons on the verge of homelessness, and therefore part of our outreach services. Janice Moro, executive director, Home Suite Hope OAKVILLE BEAVER FILE PHOTO HELPING TO WARM PEOPLE UP: Kathy Swan refills Jonathans lobster bisque during the annual Empty Bowls fundraiser at Appleby College last year. This years event will take place on Sunday, Oct. 17. shelter at Redwood Square, HSH picked up by establishing longer-term transitional housing in homes purchased in local neighbourhoods. Wendy Perkins took the helm as HSHs exec- utive director with a mission to provide accom- modation and support for people in dire straits and outreach services to people in the commu- nity dignified options for survival. For tickets to Empty Bowls, visit www.homesuitehope.org, e-mail homesuite- hope@gmail.com, call 905-339-2370 or mail Home Suite Hope,