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8 in si de ha lt on .c om O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, F eb ru ar y 8, 2 01 8 | 40-YEAR HISTORY Holton Women's Place became incorporated as a voluntary charitable organization in 1978. today there are shelters in Milton and Burlington. In 1977, after the completion of a feasibility study it was indicated there was a need for a shelter for abused women and their children in the region. In November 1978, Halton Women's Place became incorporated as a voluntary charitable organization. Halton Women's Place opened its doors in Milton in October 1980. In the first two years of operation more than 500 women and children were accommo­ dated and more than 700 crisis calls were received. A decade later, a feasibility study demonstrated the need for a second shelter to serve the southern part of Halton Region and in January 1994, the Bur­ lington shelter opened. From the day it opened it has been running at near capacity and is now re­ sponding to more than 2,500 crisis calls a year. An expansion project at that shelter was completed in December 2002. The need to replace the original shelter in Milton was met with the opening of a new 20-bed shelter to serve abused women and their dependent children in January 2003. In addition to shelter, Halton Women's Place operates a Crisis/Information/Support Line that is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Call­ ers in crisis or that require support are connected to a Crisis Intervention Counsellor. The counsellor will offer support, counselling, safety planning, in­ formation and resources over the phone or at the shelters. The crisis line can also be used for those seeking to help a friend, colleague, family member or neigh­ bour. There is also a "How to help someone who may be experiencing abuse" section on the website haltonwomensplace.com. Halton Women's Place offers a public educa­ tion program to schools throughout the region. The Healthy Relationships = Healthy Communities pro­ gram provides education related to dating, intimate partner violence, healthy relationships and healthy masculinity. There are many ways the community can give back and support the shelters, from in-kind dona­ tions of goods to corporate sponsorships. To contact Halton Women's Place South Shel­ ter call 905-332-7892 and for the North Shelter call 905-878-8555. w o m e n children a n d r e c e iv e d 18 crisis ca lls ^ F r o m April 1, 2017 to D e c e m b e r 31, 2017, Halton W om en 's Place operated a t 109% capacity hope in high heels 2017 Hope in High Heels is an annual fundraiser and awareness event for Halton Women's Place held in Milton, Oakville and Burlington. (Photos clockwise from top left) Stopping traffic on Main Street in Milton; Oakville's Bob Lush gets into the spirit; Oakville participants in their kilts and heels; Milton Councillor Mike Cluett, left, and former Toronto Argonauts linebacker Chuck Winters try on some heels; a group of Burlington high heelers; Burlington fire chief Dave Lazenby finds the right fit. 40-YEAR HISTORY and received From April 1, 2017 to December 31, 2017,