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February is Big Sisters month | By Wendy Long Big Sisters Association of North _ Halton is alive and well. They are looking forward to a productive, caring year of | The local organization, under the umbrella of Big Sisters of Ontario, - matches girls with adult women in _ friendship support partners. They _ have gone from 10 sister matches in November to 23 in February, only three months later. Claudia Scobie, case worker and public liaison officer with Big Sisters of North Halton, attributes the caseload increase to new direc- tion within the seven-member ard. Besides being a part-time - employee of the organization (she has a degree in social work), Scobie is committed in a full-time way. She is a volunteer Big Sister herself, and is enthusiastic that the group is making a big difference to needy girls (and some boy. sbe- tween the ages of 6 and 10) in the community. The majority of Little Sisters come from single-parent homes headed by the mother, Scobie explained. “They’re sent through school guidance counsellors, doc- tors and ee through the parents them: Little Shan srdally need the friendship and example of an older woman. For many little girls and teenage women this support eases the ee) of the growing year: Te $ critical that the child under- stands the program and wants the program,” Scobie said. “What we stress is that the Big Sister is a buddy and a friend. They’re not there to pass judgement or to moth- er. They’re there to be a role model. The key word is friend...there are so many women out there who need a support sys- tem.” Women over age 18 are welcome to be Big Sisters, seniors too. “You're never too old,” Scobie said. “Each age range brings some- thing different to a relationship.” This year, Big Sisters of North Halton is looking forward to expanding more into Acton and Georgetown. They receive a limit- ed amount of funds from the United Way, and hope to fundraise. They are looking for both Big Sisters and Little Sisters. To heighten community aware- ness, Scobie has offered to speak to any interested group about the Big Sisters program. Interested Big Sister applicants will fill out a three page applica- tion, request a police check and submit a doctor's certificate. Once Halton } Hills This. Week,, Wednesday, February 24, 1993 - Page 7 IG SISTERS Association of NORTH H: Al TON Rbneary is Big Sisters Month in Ontario. At the Georgetown Marketplace Mall on Saturday Big Sisters of North Halton encouraged local citizens to find out all about the area organization. Big Sister Kathryn Holloway gave Little Sister Tara Kirk, 10, a hug while Joan Cox looks on. Cox is also a Big Sister as well as serving as secretary on the board of a pair is made, there is a three month trial period to see if the rela- tionship is working for both parties. Big Sisters are asked to make a commitment of one year with their Little Sister, seeing that person a minimum of three times per month. Support is received through Big f directors. Sister meetings, group outings and ongoing training programs. Big Sisters are taught to be aware of potential problems with the child and to recognize various forms of po i=2 “If they were perfect little chil- dren from perfect families we Photo by Wendy Long. wouldn’t need this organization,” Scobie said, adding she is con- cerned by inaccurate perceptions that Big Sisters is only a social function. To contribute funding, volunteer in an: acity or for information contact Scobie at 854-9953. Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada, L.I.N.C., has come to Halton. Free classes are available in Georgetown and Milton in addition to Burlington and Oakville. Halton L.LN.C. programs are for adults (Landed Immigrants or Convention Refugees) who have of fluency in English and who are not being served by existing ESL programs. L.I.N.C. staff will meet with each participant to place them in a class appropriate to their fluency level. Child care is available, even free bus tickets are offered to some locations. Programs are funded by Employment and Immigration Canada and are coordinated by school boards, colleges and other Bear and the boats Julie Pomeroy of Canoe Country Nature Shop, in Norval, posed with her bear and some canoes Sunday at the beginning of the Marketplace Mall Boat Show. A interested partners tural community For further information or to make an appointment for a friend or for yourself, please call the Halton L.LN.C. office at 875-3851. English as a second language - ESL class in Georgetown This community program helps Cc our multicul- Photo by Wendy Long. to develop listening, speaking and writing skills at different levels o! fluency. Offered by The Halton Board of Education, ESL classes run at the Georgetown District High School on Mondays and Wednesdays from 7-9:30 p.m. Free child care is provided by The Halton Papua as Second Language Family Pro; For more i isanaites call Language instruction is now available for area newcomers Dorothy Whiteley at 878-1240. family in our communi- ty requires a fridge for the apart- ment they are moving into March Ist. If you have a spare fridge that you would like to donate, call Lin at Acton Social Services and Information Centre, 853-3310. Arrangements may be made to transport the fridge, if necessary. Tutty, Paul team triumph The team of Chuck Tutty and Orval Paul were the winners of the “Dean S. Harley” Euchre Trophy which was awarded on Saturday. Well done, guys! Color Party Open Darts will be held on Friday at Branch 120. On Saturday the 27th the Air Cadets Dinner and Dance promis- es to be a nice evening. See Joe Poirier for more details. The Murray Ezeard Curling Bonspiel will be held at Acton Curling Club on Sunday, com- mencing at 9 a.m. This will be an eight-ender and it is hoped to see a large turnout. Orval Paul will be glad to pass on any more details. Car Club draw week #22 - #315, Shirley Beaumont; #161, Melissa Powell; #264, Glen Roshier; #195, David Cook; #009, Cheryl Donahue; #304, Helen Dickenson. Friday Night Euchre: Ist, Isobel Landry; 2nd, Bert Snell; 3rd, Emily Sargeant. Most Lone Hands, Glad Inglis. There will be an extra special prize at this Saturday’s meat draw. Let’s have a large turnout for this. The prize could be worth $100.00 St. Patrick’s Day Dance will be held March 13. Tickets on sale at the Bar for $9.00. Make sure your car club ticket is in good standing as the car will be drawn on March 5. You could be the winner! ASSOCIATE TAX CONSULTANTS INCOME TAX RETURNS DONE e SAME DAY SERVICE 9:00 AM - 5:30 PM Returns 9:00 AM-1:00PM Electronically Filed We are fully computerized and can prepare tax 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM returns while you wait. Monday - Thursday 3 Friday “Saturday 101 GUELPH ST. GEORGETOWN 877-2217