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Walls of Hope helps those who help themselves 9 · Friday, November 27, 2009 OAKVILLE BEAVER · www.oakvillebeaver.com Continued from page 7 Though the journey has been long and often difficult, Naomi keeps her sights on the future. That's just the kind of person Walls of Hope wants to meet. Not a taker, but someone who will get a hand up and run with it, said Mansueto, herself a woman who faced unexpected surprises and financial ruin when her relationship fell apart and who carried on to establish her own business and raise her daughters. A condition of Walls of Hope's intervention is that a family must be helping itself, said Mansueto. One need only look at Naomi's home to see that she will do the same. She had made her own second kitchen. Her backyard boasts a pool and a gazebo (also repaired from junk day). School photos adorn the walls, trinkets and mementos are placed neatly about. The apparently normal surface does not reveal the depths of the hard work required to simply survive, the sacrifice and the ongoing battle with trauma from the past that abounds. "It all began on a beautiful November morning in 1994, when I made a phone call to a women's shelter. That was the day I took back my life," stated Naomi in an outline of her NIKKI WESLEY / OAKVILLE BEAVER WALLS OF HOPE HELPERS: Muralist Carla Leyer and contractor Mike Leyer look at the room to be renovated for Naomi Borges' son. situation to Walls of Hope. al support worker course and graduWhen her partner's drinking and ated with honours in July 2005. abusive behaviour ignited with each "At present we live with my mom, of her pregnancies, Naomi knew she who has many health issues, and we was in trouble. all take turns helping out. My kids She finally left with nothing. each have their own medical issues "It took me almost four years to that we deal with daily. Anxiety, obsesheal and when I was strong enough, I sive compulsive disorder, thyroid, worked 10-hour shifts building trans- ADD. It may not always be easy, but at formers and seeing my kids a total of the end of the day, we have each other an hour-and-a-half each day. They and we are safe and happy," said were the longest, hardest four-and-a- Naomi. half years of my life," said Naomi. It was the woman for whom she Just before her 40th birthday, with works, a woman waging her own batfamily support, Naomi took a person- tle with multiple sclerosis, who read the Oakville Beaver and brought Naomi's plight to the attention of Walls of Hope. That was two years ago. Over that time, Walls of Hope has kept track of the situation -- usually, Mansueto says, it assists someone who has come to its attention through an agency. Though Naomi has agreed to accept help, she isn't quite sure what will be done now that Walls of Hope is stopping by. She has developed a wish list with her family, but Mansueto said in typical Naomi fashion, the list is practically non-existent. "Nobody has ever asked them what they want," observed Mansueto. Naomi's kids will be getting new rooms, decor and furniture. Her daughter's room will take the theme of a punk/Hollywood glam princess. Her son's room will have sporty appeal to a teenaged boy. Carla Leyer will be painting murals on their walls. Naomi, too, will get a new room. And a new kitchen will be installed. Naomi's area, a basement family room, will also get a facelift. "We will be ripping out the existing kitchen and installing all new cabinetry from Aya Kitchens as well as new appliances and counters. We are also completely redecorating three bedrooms and a family room all in two-and-half days," said Mansueto. Mike Leyer, who operates Signature Homes, a custom home builder, says the new kitchen will be a safe, bright space for the family to share meals. He said it's fun to help out on makeover weekends and it makes him appreciate all he has in his own life. Other local contributors include Intriguing Landscapes, Total, Oakville Appliance Centre and Whirlpool, Speers Paint, Dixie Marble and Moveline. This will be the ninth home Walls of Hope has renovated since Mansueto founded the charity in 2005. Mansueto said some people work diligently, but never get both feet on the ground. Just when they do get a foot ahead, something tugs them back. "We'd like to be part of helping Naomi get both feet out so she can start moving on her own. It's a hand up, not a hand out," said Mansueto. Volunteers and donations are welcome. For more information, contact Mansueto at sera.sunrise@sympatico.ca or visit wallsofhopecanada.org. 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