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Hockey fundraiser assists lone parent families HSH support relieved the pressure on single mom raising her son continued from p.1 the education, training and tools they need to break the cycle from going from one social service to another... to give them the confidence and level of security they need to get them back on their feet and move on," she added. One such family is that of 25-year-old Oakville resident Lindsay (whose last name is being withheld for privacy reasons) and her four-year-old son. Lindsay is currently in school obtaining her high school equivalency diploma (GED) through the YMCA and can finally afford to live on her own with her son, thanks to HSH -- but the road to get there was a long and difficult one. Lindsay said she decided to leave her son's father over differences in parenting expectations and move in with her parents in Burlington in May 2009. "I just thought it was best for my son if we were no longer connected with his father," she said. But after getting along with her parents became an issue, Lindsay says that led to a decision to move out on her own with her son in March 2012. "I love my parents and I'm grateful to have their support, but we don't usually get along," she said. "After leaving there and going back to school and working... I just decided I'd rather be out on my own." Using a nest egg she had saved up to rent a place for a few weeks and staying at friends' houses after that, Lindsay quickly realized she was running out of resources. "I wanted to stay out of the shelters, too. I'm not against living there, but I didn't want to go there with my son," she said. "I also wasn't sure what was going to happen and I didn't want to put anyone out by overstaying; not that I was, but I had made that choice to move out of my parents' house, so it was now my responsibility to take care of my son and myself." While staying with a friend in Burlington, Lindsay was told to phone Halton Region, 5 | Thursday, April 18, 2013 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com I wanted to stay out of the shelters, too. I'm not against living there, but I didn't want to go there with my son. I also wasn't sure what was going to happen and I didn't want to put anyone out by overstaying; not that I was, but I had made that choice to move out of my parents' house, so it was now my responsibility to take care of my son and myself. tell them of her situation and see if there were any programs that could help -- from there she was eventually connected to HSH. After passing an interview process, HSH helped Lindsay and her son move into an Oakville apartment in July 2012 through its residential program. Needing just under $500,000 to operate each year, collected from fundraising, private donations and government grants, HSH is run by a 10-member volunteer board of directors and six full- and part-time staff who work with clients. "Moving in and being accepted by Home Suite Hope, it definitely took a lot of pressure off my shoulders and made me feel safe, like I was making a good choice for my family," Lindsay said. "They definitely have given me a helping hand to take back control over my own life." As part of the HSH assistance, Lindsay meets with a social worker once a week who helps her outline and organize what her goals are and meet them. "The people who work with Home Suite Hope are really nice and very understanding," she said. "And the other women that I've met (through the program), they're in a similar situation as me and there are people I can talk and relate to and the different age groups of children allow my son to make connections too and develop social behaviours." But the HSH program isn't the only thing single Oakville mother Lindsay that helped bring some stability to Lindsay's son's world, she admits -- his love of hockey and playing on a Timbits team in Burlington had a hand in that, too. "Hockey makes him feel like he's part of something. He loves being on the ice and seeing his family come and watch him play," Lindsay said. "He gets the sense that we're all there for him." And Lindsay's son isn't alone -- that's why HSH hosts its annual 3on3 Road Hockey Tournament fundraiser every year for participants aged 10 and up. This year's event will be held Saturday (April 20) in Kerr Village. In addition, the organization is hosting its Hockey Night in Oakville fundraiser Thursday (April 18) at Boston Pizza, 270 North Service Rd. W. from 5 p.m.-midnight. Decked in their favourite hockey jerseys, participants will be entertained with live entertainment by The Orphans and Liquid Courage and have the opportunity to win door prizes, participate in a raffle and other activities -- organizers also say there may be a surprise visit by a hockey star. Proceeds from both events will benefit HSH. For information, contact jules@ homesuitehope.org, call 289-681-1757, or visit www.homesuitehope.org. TAKE DELIVERY BY MAY 15TH TKR253 TKR1843 MENTION WIN CODE 100% MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE ORDER SECURELY ONLINE AT BigYellowBag.com T KR253 TKR1843 Enter the win code at BigYellowBag.com for your chance to WIN a BigYellowBag BEST SALE EVER! 20%+20%off +NO TAX 2269 FAIRVIEW STREET, BURLINGTON · PH. 905-631-6000