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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, April 7, 2016 | 10 Oakville Resettlement Fund assists Syrian refugees by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Transportation and housing are critical to helping Syrian refugees make a fresh start in Oakville, which is why the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) is lending a hand. On Tuesday (April 5), the OCF announced details of its first allocation of financial aid from the Oakville Resettlement Fund at the Halton Multicultural Council (HMC) Connections' Speers Road office. Foundation staff, members of the endowment's advisory task force and financial partners attended the gathering. The Oakville Resettlement Fund was created in response to the Syrian refugee crisis and supports registered charities that focus on relocation issues, needs and solutions in town. "This is really a testament to the people of Oakville welcoming you to our community," said Wendy Rinella, OCF CEO. "It's my distinct pleasure to be here to share the first allocations coming from our Resettlement Fund." Transit and housing were identified as two key issues facing displaced families new to Oakville at a community discussion on refugee readiness in December 2015, organized by OCF with help from Ward 5 Town and Regional Councillor Jeff Knoll. One of two arrangements announced by the OCF is a partnership with the Town of Oakville and HMC Connections, which will cover a portion of the costs for monthly bus passes to help refugees get around town. The Region's Subsidized Passes for Low Income Transit (SPLIT) program subsidizes the price of an Oakville Transit monthly pass by 50 per cent. The shortfall in funding a monthly permit is $35 per person, which will be covered by the Oakville Resettlement Fund. "This means they can go get groceries, they can go shopping and they can get to school. So that's really critical to make sure they can settle in. This is an excellent way to welcome them," said Kim Jenkinson, HMC executive director. Applications for the subsidy, totalling $15,000 from the fund, are being coordinated through Pictured, in front from left, Syrian family Suleyman Musa, Esinat Musa, 1,and Emel Musa; Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) CEO Wendy Rinella; Dar Foundation volunteer Sahar Youssef; Habitat for Humanity Halton CEO John Gerrard; Dar Foundation Ehab Soliman; and in back, from left, Oakville Transit Director Barry Cole; Halton Multicultural Council Executive Director Kim Jenkinson; Ward 5 Councillor Jeff Knoll; and Sheridan College Associate Dean, School of Community Studies Mary Louise Noce. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) Spay & Neuter Specials Starting Spring Open Until Midnight Full veterinary ServiceS at AFFORDABLE PRICES w w w.myownvets.com Call us to book your pet's FREE consultation Lorne Park Animal Hospital · 16-1107 Lorne Park Road, Mississauga · 905.990.VETS(8387) HMC Connections. "This means free buses for up to six months, but we will have to see how long those funds can last. It allows people to get their feet under them, to understand the bus system, how to use it and go out," said Jenkinson. "They're living throughout Oakville and we need them to be able to get to their classes, (which are) here and at other places on Speers Road." Jenkinson said there are currently 10 refugee families, about 42 individuals, living in Halton, with some having arrived a few months ago. "This is the crowning piece of going out and doing something with the funds. It's really exciting," said Jenkinson, noting HMC also has a fund to aid displaced Syrians. see Transportation on p.11 Interlocking & Concrete Specialists · Pebble Concrete · Stamped Concrete · Interlocking · Flagstone · Walkways · Garage Floors · Patios · Driveways · Curbs (French) Call Mario 905.842.7171 sunmarlandscape.com oakville.ca The Town of Oakville intends to control weeds in medians and shrub beds along the following roadsides and parks: Lakeshore Road, Church Street, Robinson Street, Dunn Street, Reynolds Street, Navy Street, Thomas Street, Allan Street, Trafalgar Road, Kerr Street, Bronte Road, East Street, Nelson Street, Jones Street, Marine Drive, Upper Middle Road, Third Line, Dorval Drive, Neyagawa Blvd, Cornwall Road, Dundas Street, Bridge Road, Rebecca Street, within the Town of Oakville using the pesticide Finalsan Pro Commercial Concentrate containing active ingredient Soap (ammonium salt of fatty acids) Registration No. 30012 under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada). Commencing on April 14, 2016 weather permitting, and ending October 14, 2016. For further information contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601 Collect calls will be accepted from individuals calling long distance. Public notice of pesticide use