The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, August 14, 2013 | 8 Long-time volunteer still committed to helping others by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Kerr Street Ministries' (KSM) Michelle Lockhart says the charity wants to help people look to the future. Lockhart was guest speaker at Distress Centre Oakville's (DCO) recent annual general meeting, where she outlined changes and new programs at KSM. The local charity often picks up where the Distress Centre leaves off for those in a crisis. "Anybody doing volunteer work with us would see that we do a fairly decent job of providing help for the present. We're looking at trying to do more in providing hope for the future," said KSM's children's program coordinator. Since 1996, KSM has operated a food bank, but it does a lot more. "We've done a fairly decent job of making sure nobody in our community is going hungry, we also have a youth centre that helps kids get off the streets, which gives them a safe place to come and hang out," said Lockhart. A major focus right now is getting to know people and their circumstances. "It's not necessarily going to be a program that transforms lives, it's getting to understand what is going on in somebody's life," said Lockhart. Lockhart also said more people are turning to KSM to deal with situational poverty so the charity is assigning a trained care planner to help families with financial planning or education. In addition to hearing from an agency to which Distress Centre callers can be referred, the AGM also celebrated its own long-time volunteer, Eric Hotson, who was presented with four service awards in recognition of his 30 years with the organization. Hotson received recognition from Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn, Oakville MP Terence Eric Hotson Young, Halton Regional Chair Gary Carr and Oakville Mayor Rob Burton. "I'm absolutely honoured the four of them took the trouble to recognize what I've done. When somebody in a senior government position takes the (time) to do it, it really means a lot to me," said Hotson. Hotson joined DCO in 1983 and is the organization's longest-serving volunteer. As a training director, he developed DCO's current volunteer training program. "I've enjoyed doing this more than I thought I would when (DCO) first asked me to (volunteer) many years ago. The training helps people not only work on our lines and talk to clients, it helps them communicate (and) understand relationships with people," said Hotson. He also received the agency's Stella Perkins Award in 2012 and had a lifetime achievement award created in his own name by Distress Centres Ontario. "People don't volunteer unless it's something they really feel strongly about and believe in. If they're doing it just because they feel like doing something and don't think it through, then they probably won't find the time." Distress Centre Oakville is a United Way-funded agency. For information, visit www. distresscentreoakville.com. Fine cabinetry for anywhere in your home Family Owned & Operated Since 1976 S 905-632-0029 · Bath and Kitchen Showroom · Designer Kitchens · Kitchen Renovations FREE INSTALLATION on complete kitchens uniquekitchensofburlington.com SEPTEMBER SPECIAL ordered before Sept. 30th 2013 4150 South Service Rd. www.oakville.ca TURE LTU N AND CU ION ION TI TIO AT EA CRE S, RECR PARKS, Program registration opens this Saturday! Don't be disappointed....register early. Fall 2013 014 Winter 2 Guide I E SUMMIT REACH TH roc cl bing k clim r rock or oo Indo W Ind NE ! C! PCCC at QEPCC wall at p. 37, 51 O e Oa Experienc tres youth cen p. 41 Our fall 2013 / winter 2014 recreation and culture program line-up for all ages and abilities is available at your fingertips via our interactive digital guide or pick up your own copy of the guide at community centres, seniors centres, libraries, pools, arenas and Town Hall today. Registration start dates Residents: August 17, 2013 at 9 a.m. Seniors Services: September 6, 2013 at 9 a.m. AT YOUTH BE akv lle ll ill ille kvi R? OUT WATE WHAT AB exhibit tory H 2O and His seum e Mu lle kvill at Oakvi p. 132 Residents ­ For more information visit oakville.ca. O LINE R ON ER STE REGIST August 17