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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Wednesday April 23, 2008 - 19 Spring into Savings SAVE THE GST! When the brand names come from overseas! Buy Canadian for Less!! PORTABLE VACUUMS HUGE INVENTORY!!! Permanent self cleaning filters All steel canister Lifetime warranty Free 10 piece tool set and electric power head hose · 112" waterlift · Homes up to 4,000sq.ft. · No tax on all portable canister vacuums · · · · STARTING AT $6995 $ 399 · 143" waterlift · Homes up to 10,000sq.ft. MICHAEL IVANIN / SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER $ RIGHT ON: From left, Douglas Bartholomew-Saunders, Director of Halton Region's Income and Employment Services; Adelina Urbanski, Social and Community Services Commissioner; Regional Chair Gary Carr; Claire Kirkpatrick of Ontario's Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; Oakville MPP Kevin Flynn and David Boag, Principal of Gary Allan High School in Burlington celebrate the 20th anniversary of Halton's On Track program. 499 399 Includes a10 piece set! · Water Purification · Reverse Osmosis System Halton Region marks 20 years On Track By Paloma Migone SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER $ Installation included OAKVILLE VACUUM LTD. CATALOGUE STORE · 31 years in Oakville We Repair all Makes of Vacuum Cleaners & Sewing Machines Halton Region celebrated a milestone last Friday that was 20 years in the making. The Region's pre-employment and life skills program, On Track, founded in 1988, turned 20 and Halton highlighted its success alongside the program's funding partners -- Ontario's Ministry of Colleges and Universities and the Halton District School Board -- at a ceremony at Halton Regional Centre. "On Track is a program about people. It's about supporting people wanting to turn their lives around by providing participants with important employment skills," said Gary Carr, regional chair. "We are working with them to be successful in their search for employment." The program serves 100 people a year and has helped more than 1,800 participants over the past 20 years, of which 75 per cent received further training, education or permanent employment. Within nine months, half of the program's participants secure employment, making a "difference in the lives of ordinary Ontarians," said MPP Kevin Flynn, who received a plaque from On Track as representative of the province. "It really testifies that we look out for each other. It really speaks about who we are as human beings," he said. On Track was built to help unemployed and low-income individuals in the region, offering three educational components: employment and life skills, job search and maintenance skills, and academics. The program has classes on career planning, life skills, market trends, computer skills, and high school credits at two sites -- E.C Drury High School in Milton and at Gary Allan High School in Burlington. The team consists of a co-ordinator, life skills coaches, job coaches, a program co-ordinator and three Halton District School Board (HDSB) teachers. The HDSB has been a key partner in the success of the program, providing the site locations and academic components, according to Carr. "I want to reaffirm our commitment to continue partnership and another 20 years of success," said David Boag, principal of Gary Allen who received a plaque as representative of the HDSB. On Track's 20 years of achievements are measured by the success of its graduates. At the event, two of its former participants, John Budworth and Heather Scullion, told their story on how On Track changed their lives. Budworth joined On Track in September 2007. He had been without a job for two years, weighed 220 pounds, was crippled by an injury and faced many other hardships along the way. "Let's just say employers weren't knocking on my door with job opportunities," said Budworth. Within the last year and half, he has gone through two surgeries for his leg because of a car accident. Budworth was scared, but "asked for help." On Track helped him face his fears and integrate back into the community. After graduating, as soon as he was physically able, Budworth found a job at Budds' BMW. He is at the dealership's customer service department, but plans to apply for a sales position. On Track made Budworth realize "there were people in the community that did want to help." "It was a miracle," he said. An opinion shared by Scullion, who was in the On Track program in June 2007. Nearly two years ago, she was a 40-year-old woman divorcing her husband, alone and starting a new life. Scullion didn't think she could learn or deal with school -- On Track changed that; she took a math test and got 100 per cent. "That test changed my life. I realized I could learn," said Scullion in tears. She credits her teachers, who supported her along the way. Now, Scullion is working at The Village of Tansley Woods, helping the community. "I know I wouldn't have gone this far if it wasn't for On Track," said Scullion. "It gave me a life I always wanted and never thought I would have." 198 SPEERS RD. 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