www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, September 18, 2015 | 14 Hope in High Heels includes men on human rights issues by David Lea Oakville Beaver Staff Local men are once again being asked to walk in someone else's shoes -- literally -- for a good cause by participating in the sixth annual Hope in High Heels event this month. The special walk, which is carried out by men in pink high heels, gives men and boys of all ages an opportunity to take a stand and support the prevention and end to violence against women while also supporting Halton Women's Place. This year the walk will be held Saturday, Sept. 26 in Burlington and Sunday, Sept. 27 in Oakville. Organizers said the events raised more than $90,000 last year. This year, they are aiming for $100,000. "This is such a great event for us to raise more awareness and to let men know they are part of the solution," said Carm Bozzo, development manager with Halton Women's Place. "We say these are women's issues, but We say these are women's issues, but really these are human rights issues so these are everyone's issues.... We are often at capacity. The funding we get from the government only goes so far and then it is up to these events and community support to help us run these programs and shelters. Halton Women's Place development manager Carm Bozzo MVL LEASING LIMITED 905-849-6995 1064 SOUTH SERVICE RD. E, OAKVILLE LEASE ANY YEAR, MAKE, OR MODEL 2009 Lamborghini Gallardo $ www.MVL.ca 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia $ 169,900 16,345 kms +HST 224,900 23,161kms +HST LEASING, FINANCING, SALES, SERVICE, FLEET, DETAILING, STORAGE ANNEX Classes for ages 3-18 Recreational & Competitive Dance $ really these are human rights issues so these are everyone's issues." Bozzo said violence against women is still prevalent in the Halton community. Last year, Halton Women's Place, which provides shelter and crisis services for physically, emotionally, financially and sexually abused women and their dependent children, provided services to around 1,185 women and children and responded to more than 1,125 crisis calls. Funds raised during the Hope in High Heels events allow Halton Women's Place to continue to operate their shelters in Burlington and Milton, as well as offer assistance programs to their clients. "We are often at capacity," said Bozzo. "The funding we get from the government only goes so far and then it is up to these events and community support to help us run these programs and shelters." The Hope in High Heels events in both communities begin at 10 a.m. with the Oakville event taking place at Centennial Square in Downtown Oakville and the Burlington event taking place at Emma's Back Porch at 2084 Old Lakeshore Rd. The events begin with registration where the men and boys can pick up their shoes. This is followed by speeches to raise awareness of violence against women in Halton and to encourage more people to get involved in making such violence a memory. Bozzo said the walks themselves are short, but may feel a bit longer for the male participants wearing high heels. A free lunch, courtesy of the Works in Oakville and Emma's Back Porch in Burlington, will be provided to participants after the walk. Men can pre-register, and ensure organizers have the right shoe size available, at http:// goo.gl/o4iXOR for Oakville and http://goo.gl/ pKKvaI for Burlington. Men can also pre-register by contacting Bozzo at 905-332-1200 or cbozzo@ haltonwomensplace.com. For more information, visit www. haltonwomensplace.com. ACADEMY INC. Fostering the love of the arts for 10 years in Oakville Featuring: Super Starz Dance Mini Movers (ages 2-3) Saturdays 8:45am - 9:30am + HST Twinkle Toes (ages 3-4) Saturdays 8:45am - 9:30am for 35 weeks of Tiny Tumblers (ages 3-4) Tuesdays 5:00pm - 5:45pm & classesamazing Saturdays 9:30am - 10:15am prices!! Hip Kidz (ages 4-6) Tuesdays 4:45pm - 5:30pm Primary Ballet/Jazz (ages 5-6) Wednesdays 4:45pm - 5:30pm & Saturdays 9:30am - 10:15am Primary Acro/Jazz (ages 5-6) Tuesdays 5:45pm - 6:30pm & Saturdays 10:15am - 11:00am 290 Starting at W W W. A N N E X D A N C E A C A D E M Y. C O M | 9 0 5 . 8 2 9 . 1 6 1 0 | 2861, Unit 39 Sherwood Heights Drive, Oakville