www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 19, 2013 | 20 Halton Learning Foundation supports students The excitement of a new school year with so much to learn and so many opportunities for students. We've seen them these past few weeks, students heading off to school with their fresh school supplies, stylish backpacks, new shoes, clothes, and coats smiling and chatting with their friends. However, not all students share this experience. For many, basic resources and necessities, including school supplies, proper fitting clothing, winter coats, shoes, and daily lunches, are simply not an option. This is where Halton Learning Foundation's Eliminating Barriers Fund lends much needed, rapid assistance. In Halton approximately 10 per cent of schoolaged children live below the poverty line. T h e Eliminating Barriers Fund financially assists students-in-need to keep them engaged in and able to attend school. A student-in-need may be going through an emergency situation like parental unemployment, escape from abuse, house fire, family illness or injury, etc. Last school year, donors to Halton Learning Foundation helped more than 1,200 Halton District School Board students through the Eliminating Barriers Fund. As one principal says, "You can't take away some of the baggage that kids carry...but you can take from their classmates when they weren't looking. Their teacher spoke with the principal who connected with the girls' mom. Their mom shared that she and her daughters had left the family home earlier that week due to domestic violence and that she had not yet secured a job. Funds were tight and she was doing her best to make ends meet. S & K's principal contacted Halton Learning Foundation that same day and the Foundation provided funds for groceries for the family. Halton Learning Foundation is the means for everyone in the community to support quality education for Halton District School Board students As one of five children livby providing emergency ing with a single, help for students-inOver 7 ,000 d i s need, engagement On Demand funds (e.g. litermovies and acy, numeracy, shows arts and music, healthy active living, technology, and environment programs), and scholarships. Visit abled mother who lived with domestic violence www.haltonlearningfoundation.ca for more inand abuse, CK needed help. formation. Her clothes were far too small, she was walkHalton Learning Foundation's 10th annual ing to school without a winter coat, boots, or Celebrat10n Fundraiser, featuring Jully Black even a hat. in concert and a Super 10 Raffle, is on October Her principal reported to Halton Learning 17, 2013. For Celebrat10n event tickets conFoundation that CK didn't wear any of the new tact The Burlington Performing Arts Centre at clothing, except the winter coat, until after the 905-681-6000, www.burlingtonpac.com . For holidays, so others would think that she had re- Super 10 Raffle tickets contact Halton Learning ceived them as gifts. Foundation at 905-335-3665 x 53388, trottn@ hdsb.ca . Thank-you to our Presenting Sponsor, Prosperity ONE Credit Union, and our Super "S and K" were hungry, 10 Raffle Sponsor, Discovery Ford of Burlingso hungry they ton. would `sneak' food needs, taking on a part-time job, and continuing school. The cost of living was a struggle and he had to take on additional hours at work just to get by. His increased work hours impacted his attendance and put JJ at risk of dropping out -- and he was only a year away from graduating. Halton Learning Foundation stepped-in to provide funds for basic necessities including hygiene items, food, and clothing. On Sept.3, JJ started his final year of high school. CK now `fits in' 3 150 HD channels 2 away the split running shoes, the no winter coat, the hungry feelings they come to school with." On behalf of the following students, their families, and the hundreds of other students that donors assisted last school year through donations to the Eliminating Barriers Fund, we thank-you. (Their name, schools, and specifics of their situation have been altered to protect their privacy.) "JJ" was struggling to survive. After his family abandoned him, JJ was faced with finding lodging, supporting his basic Thank you JJ heads back S and K got help Available where technology permits. Installation and/or activation fees may apply. The purchase or rental of a digital receiver is required to access Digital Television service from Cogeco. 1. Whole Home DVR supports up to 3 connected television sets. Each television set requires one HD Receiver compatible with the Whole Home DVR. 2. Cogeco High Definition service and programming requires the purchase or rental of an HD Receiver. The number of available HD channels may vary per region. HD channels are available with the subscription to the equivalent channel in Standard Definition. Installation and/or activation fee applies. 3. Cogeco On Demand service is offered where the technology is available and for customers who meet the Cogeco On Demand access requirements. Access to some content may require a subscription to the TV package containing the associated digital channel. Channel availability may vary per region. 4. Download speeds can vary with Internet traffic, remote peers, your network configuration, the use of wireless equipment and other factors. 5. Additional charges will apply for exceeding bit cap usage allowed for each Cogeco specific package. For the limit applicable to each package and the most current rates in effect, please visit Cogeco.ca/InternetUsage. 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