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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, September 8, 2016 | 10 Virtually impossible to escape poverty without help: Pommells continued from p.6 Ten women are currently going through the program, with another five expected to be added later this year. "I'm really interested in seeing how this plays out for women because my prediction is there's a whole lot more likelihood of them being successful than women who are just getting a social assistance cheque," said Cumming, who is closely following the program and its relationship to Sheridan College. She has also been working with the Oakville Community Foundation (OCF) and other community initiatives that aim to tackle poverty in Oakville. Along with colleague Michael McNamara, professor of creativity and creative thinking with Sheridan's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, she has been working to put the OCF's 2015 Vital Signs report into "vital solutions" by looking at real and effective change that could be possible. The report, released in October 2015, notes equity gap, housing, mental health and inclusion are issues in the community. "Usually, if they're poor, they also don't have housing, they also don't have childcare, they hard as I can in this area, whether it's just to get people to be kinder or make effective change." Gumbs notes how rewarding it is to be able to help families in crisis be in a better place. One case that has stuck with her was a single mother with a Grade 4 education. She had fled a domestic violence relationship and sought out help and support through the ReStart program. By the time she graduated from the ReStart program, she was in college. "She went through a lot... She really worked hard within the program and even had a better relationship with her children by the time she had exited the program," said Gumbs. Pommells said people are starting to recognize that it's virtually impossible for low-income families to escape poverty without help. That person, she noted, using the analogy of someone falling into quicksand, can't get themselves out on their own. No matter how hard they work, they continue to sink unless a rope, or a helping hand is offered. It is only then that transformation can happen, she said. Pommells said she's proud of being in a community that is actively trying to tackle poverty. Thanks to supportive funding from the OCF and other community partners, HSH has delivered results, with 72 people being housed in 2015 after homelessness or precarious housing and a number of single parents having graduated from its ReStart program. Its Abolish Homelessness 2016 campaign is close to reaching its goal with 90 per cent of $200,000 raised to help struggling families put a roof over their heads. Michelle Pommells also don't have education," said Cumming, who will begin working with philanthropists, community groups and those receiving support this month to participate in problemsolving sessions on what effective solutions may be. She's also working with Halton Poverty Roundtable and Kerr Street Mission (KSM) to put together a pilot project program for students at risk of not obtaining their high school diploma. Sara Cumming Cumming notes the work she's doing outside her role as a professor at Sheridan stems from a passion to help those who are struggling get back on their feet and succeed. She personally knows what it's like. "My mother and father were 15 and 16 when I was born, and they separated when I was two or three, and so I grew up on social assistance for a big portion of my life with a lone mother and watched her struggle and us struggle. It's not a fun way to grow up and you're highly stigmatized," she said. Cumming also had her children young while she was in her early 20s, but calls herself lucky because she decided to start school after having children. "I fell in love with the discipline I was in and was really able to substantially change my own financial life and I feel like people (living in poverty) are never really given a fair shot in society and so it's sort of my goal to work as Interlocking Tumblestone, Retaining Walls, Garden Installation, Sodding & Excavating, Call for FREE Estimate plus more (905) 827-8158 · www.rogerslandscaping.org As a Maid Right owner you have my quality guarantee with every clean. FREE Schedule 3 cleans, 1st regular service clean $ and off4th yourfree* 4th get 50 the Save $25 off your SM SPECIAL $ * 75 Off CLEAN *Receive the 4th of four cleans at no charge up to $125 Not valid on prior services. *Not valid value. on prior services. Not redeemable for redeemable cash. Applies to cash. new customers only. Not for Applies to new customers only. 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Maid Right and JAN-PRO International are subsidiaries of Premium Franchise Brands LLC. oakville.ca The Town of Oakville intends to control weeds in medians and shrub beds along the following roadsides and parks: Lakeshore Road, Church Street, Robinson Street, Dunn Street, Reynolds Street, Navy Street, Thomas Street, Allan Street, Trafalgar Road, Kerr Street, Bronte Road, East Street, Nelson Street, Jones Street, Marine Drive, Upper Middle Road, Third Line, Dorval Drive, Neyagawa Blvd, Cornwall Road, Dundas Street, Bridge Road, Rebecca Street, within the Town of Oakville using the pesticide Finalsan Pro Commercial Concentrate containing active ingredient Soap (ammonium salt of fatty acids) Registration No. 30012 under the Pest Control Products Act (Canada). Commencing on April 14, 2016 weather permitting, and ending October 14, 2016. For further information contact ServiceOakville at 905-845-6601. Collect calls will be accepted from individuals calling long distance. Public notice of pesticide use