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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Wednesday, December 11, 2013 | 16 Five local women take to Inspiring Freedom by Abigail Cukier Special to the Beaver Improv show Oakville Improv Theatre Company hosts Theatresports Friday (Dec. 13). The Festive Special will square off with Rose & Thorns, while Marcel St. Pierre, Rob Hawke and Gord Oxley will face Oakville Improv's Gary Pearson and guests Jack Mosshammer and Maria Corell Mosshammer, in the second half. The show also includes musical improviser Avery Levin Gold and host Cliff Murphy. It takes place at the Queen Elizabeth Park Community and Cultural Centre, 2302 Bridge Rd., 8 p.m. -- tickets cost $5 at the door. Five local women recently shared their inspiring stories of transformation to benefit an organization that helps families do the same. The event took place at Karen's Meeting Place, 2362 Rideau Dr. Patty Kim, an investment specialist, spoke on creating financial freedom, while accountant Thao Choi discussed living through extreme life challenges as a refugee from Vietnam. Karen Sue-A-Quan, a clinical pharmacist, took on the topic of sharing your gift, as Binu Dhindsa, a fitness coach, spoke about how to shape your life and energize passions through exercise and nutrition. All of these women are contributors to the book, Inspiring Freedom, a compilation of personal journeys to inspire, educate and uplift women in their lives. Carolyn Hidalgo, self-relationship coach and author, was also a speaker. All proceeds from the book sales go towards the Oakville-based Walls of Hope -- a non-profit organization that renovates, customizes and decorates homes for families and provides them with resources to en- rich their lives. In its seventh year, Walls of Hope has helped 13 families in the Halton and Peel regions and four public service organizations. Founder Sera Mansueto of Oakville began her career in fashion design and merchandising in the early 1980s and then stayed home to raise her two daughters for 13 years. She started to paint houses for family and friends. When her marriage ended, Mansueto returned to work to provide for her family and started The Art of Paint, a residential home painting business. Eventually, she had a team of women working with her. It was this journey of losing everything and having to start from scratch that led to Walls of Hope. "Sera developed Walls of Hope to help others experiencing what she experienced. She is so inspiring," said Dhindsa. "We want to tell other women that if you take action on what you want to do, you can grow." Dhindsa said Hidalgo helped her to see that she was judging others and judging herself and it was stopping her from living her best life. "I see other women's struggles and challenges. I want to empower women to make change in their life and to Five Oakville women shared their stories while raising funds for the Oakville-based, charity Walls of Hope. The Inspiring Freedom book launch, was held recently at Karen's Meeting Place. Here, guest-speaker Carolyn Hidalgo, centre, joins the four authors of Inspiring Freedom, from left, Binu Dhindsa, Thao Choi, Patty Kim and Karen Sue-AQuan. | photo by Graham Paine ­ Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or www.facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) take action," said Dhindsa. A mother of three, Dhindsa left her career as a statistician and is now a successful fitness instructor and nutrition coach. Hidalgo teaches clients to live guiltfree, find forgiveness, manage conflicts and deepen their connections. She is writing her first book, Live the Love You Deserve ­ Imagine a Judgment-Free World and has contributed to Pebbles in the Pond, a compilation of stories from transformational authors. "I love connecting with people and seeing them grow. It's been really amazing to see the changes in people," Hidalgo said. "It's about learning how to let judgment go. Once people get it, it's amazing to see how their relationships change. It allows people to be who they are. You don't have to agree with each other, but you can give support. "We want more people to experience this and want to let them know how to do it in a relaxed, sharing atmosphere." For information, visit www. wallsofhopecanada.org or www. carolynhidalgo.com. The Oakville Choral Society will be performing Francis Poulenc's Gloria, with a selection of traditional carols, at its winter concert this weekend. Performances are Friday (Dec. 13) and Saturday (Dec. 14) at 7:30 p.m., at the ClearView Christian Reformed Church, 2300 Sheridan Garden Dr. It features a choir of 70 voices and soprano soloist Erica Warder. Tickets cost $25 for adults, in advance, or $30 at the door, $15 for students, and is free for children aged 12 and under. Call 905-302-9017 or visit www.oakvillechoral.com. Winter concert Christmas Wonders & Beyond For many, Christmas is filled with joy, extravagant gifts and food a plenty. Yet, for most of our clients who live below the poverty line, the season looms as a time of real despair and hopelessness. Where will the next meal come from and how will even the simplest of gifts be afforded to children? At Kerr Street Ministries you can help us come alongside some of our neediest neighbours to make this a real season of hope, joy and love. For more information or to forward a tax deductible donation contact us today @ Kerr Street Ministries, 485 Kerr Street, Oakville ON L6K 3C6 905-845-7485 ext. 208 www.kerrstreet.com Help for the Present ~ Hope for the Future