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Share the Hope Walk starts the chat about poverty by John Bkila Oakville Beaver Staff 9 | Thursday, April 28, 2016 | OAKVILLE BEAVER | www.insideHALTON.com For organizers of Home Suite Hope's (HSH) Share the Hope Walk, the event is more than a fundraiser to help break the cycle of poverty locally -- it's about spreading awareness that it exists. "It's not just about the funds; it's about the awareness and alerting the community that we have a problem of poverty in Oakville and Halton...," said Kris Copeland, events co-ordinator for HSH, a charity that provides long-term, transitional housing and access to various social services for single-parent families in Halton facing homelessness. "It's a definite problem...," Copeland said. "(Oakville) is perceived to be an affluent community and these things get often overlooked and it's a big problem." To help make sure that doesn't continue to happen, the third annual walk, on Sunday (May 1) at Coronation Park, will feature stations set up along the five-kilometre, lakeside route. The stations, new to this year's event and done in conjunction with volunteer students from Appleby College, are meant to get participants to reflect on and talk about poverty and homelessness in Halton, noted Copeland. They will include a trivia station, charades game, photo booth with props to be shared on social media, and a "choose your own path" Home Suite Hope (HSH) committee member Pat Broughton (in front), Piper the cocker spaniel, (from left) HSH Event Co-ordinator Kris Copeland, Program Co-ordinator Beverley Davis, and Sweat Shop Union Owner Brian Douglas invite you to take part in the third annual Share the Hope fundraising walk for HSH Sunday (May 1) in Coronation Park. | photo by Nikki Wesley ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) activity where scenarios will be presented and depending on the choice participants make at each section, they could end up in different situations related to homelessness. "For example, you just lost your job, do you sell your car or move to a smaller apartment? That sort of thing, and you see where you end up. It lends a sort of reality to the situation," Copeland explained. According to HSH, the most recent census data shows the number of single mother-led families in Halton has increased by more than 32 per cent between 2006-11 -- of those families, 1,955 were living at or below the poverty line. The local organization said it has seen an "exponential increase" in referrals to its program over the past two years and based on its current occupancy and growth plans, this will present a wait-list of more than two years for future clients. Currently, HSH houses and supports 26 single mothers and 45 children through its twoyear ReStart Halton and four-year Homeward Bound Halton programs. The former is a transitional housing and support program, while the latter offers clients a chance to break out of poverty through the use of a temporary, fully-furnished apartment, the opportunity to complete a college level diploma and net job internships, daycare for children, and finally, a career placement. HSH said it hopes to grow enough to support 30 families -- 15 in each of its programs, which would serve approximately 75-80 individuals in a year. Copeland said it costs between $35,000$40,000 to support one family with housing and "wrap-around" social services annually. see HSH on p.10