www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Friday, February 5, 2016 | 6 Families come in all shapes, sizes and con gurations and on Family Day in Ontario -- Monday, Feb. 15 -- it's a time for everyone to appreciate their family -- and give some thought to those who don't have any. The face of today's family is constantly evolving -- single-parent, two-parent, foster, adoptive, same-sex, heterosexual, grandparents, relatives... from many ethnic and religious backgrounds. Despite the differences, family units represent love and support, a shelter along the journey of life and a cheering section, no matter what. A family is a connection to, and from, the rest of the world. It's the people with whom we begin, and end, our lives... and celebrate or rejuvenate on the journey between. Many don't have family. Sometimes it's because of death or distance, estrangement or discord. That can be especially dif cult on the young. This week, the Halton Children's Aid Society (CAS) reached out, with Family Day almost upon us, with a reminder for people to enjoy their families on the upcoming statutory holiday -- and also to re ect on those young people, who aren't with, or don't have, family. The CAS also provided a glimpse into what life can be like for some of the youths in its care. In Halton, according to Robin Connolly, who heads communications for the Halton CAS, there are approximately 123 children and youths living in care -- 43 per cent of them older than the age of 13. Youths on independent living programs receive a xed income of $900 per month. The majority are going to school, often working part-time jobs to supplement their income, and trying to cope with everyday life. "Issues of poverty are very real for them, especially considering 42 per cent of renters in Halton Region pay more than 30 per cent of their household income on shelter. Some have other hardships, including disabilities, mental health and addiction issues, either their own or with members of their family. Holidays can be particularly painful for those who aren't connected," said Connolly. Youths who are 16 to 17 years old and feel unsafe in their family situations are not able to access protection services, according to Connolly. They either suffer abuse or leave home with no support. Even if they approach social services for nancial assistance, their parents may be contacted, which might put them at further risk. Many become homeless. Last year, through the Halton CAS Bridging the Gap outreach program, services were provided to 300 youths with referrals from schools, community agencies, parents and youths themselves, according to Connolly. For those who can or want to help, there are many ways to do so -- volunteer, mentor, foster, adopt or donate through the Children's Aid Foundation of Halton. "This Family Day, think about the children and youths in Halton Region, who don't have lifelong connections or families to spend time with," said Connolly. If you are able to offer a safe, structured, stable and nurturing environment for a child or sibling group, the Halton CAS is recruiting foster parents in Halton to care for children aged four to 12. It offers a foster support program and monthly per diem. For more information on the Halton CAS, visit www.HaltonCAS.ca. And for those celebrating Feb. 15 with their family, know you are very lucky. Happy Family Day. Appreciating family Editorial T Y I N G T H E K N "Connected to your Community" O T 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 General Inquiries: (905) 845-3824 Classi ed Advertising: (905) 632-4440 Circulation: 5300 Harvester Rd., Burlington (905) 631-6095 Volume 54 | Number 11 The Oakville Beaver is a division of Editorial and advertising content of the Oakville Beaver is protected by copyright. Unauthorized use is prohibited. Vice President and Group Publisher of Metroland West Regional General Manager Advertising Director NEIL OLIVER KELLY MONTAGUE DANIEL BAIRD Managing Editor The Ladies Quilting Circle at Oakville's Hopedale Presbyterian Church created a wedding quilt for Sheri TraplerWilson, the daughter of long-time member Karen Trapler. Pictured, from left, are the bride Trapler-Wilson, Diann Rigg, Carol Gibson, Nancy Wallace, Mary Murray, Gail Innes and Lillian Morris as they hold up the nished quilt. Missing from the photo is fellow quilting club member Donna Parkhill. | photo by Graham Paine Oakville Beaver (Follow on Twitter @halton_photog or facebook.com/HaltonPhotog) ANGELA BLACKBURN RIZIERO VERTOLLI Photography Director Business Manager LORI ANN GZOVDANOVIC Director of Production H Helping newcomers make Halton home Gary Carr Halton Region Chair MARK DILLS MANUEL GARCIA Production Manager Director of Distribution alton is a place where we welcome, respect and celebrate the diversity and uniqueness of all residents, while connecting people to the services they need most. I'm proud of the work Halton Region and our community partners do as we work together to make Halton a welcoming, inclusive and supportive community where newcomers can prosper. When newcomers choose Halton as their home, they face many tasks and our community has many resources to help. Halton's Newcomer Portal (www.welcometohalton.ca) outlines resources for arriving, living, working and going to school in the region and is one of the most comprehensive resources for newcomers. Other helpful supports can be found online at: · halton.ca/housing -- provides a range of services, including: access to affordable market, subsidized or supportive housing; an emergency shelter program; and, one-time nancial assistance for low-income people experiencing dif culty with housing costs; · halton.ca/newdoctor -- provides a listing of new family physicians accepting patients; · haltonjobs.ca -- provides free programs and services to help with job search or training; · halton.ca/haltonparents -- offers a variety of free parenting programs and parenting and health information from health professionals; · halton.ca/childcaresubsidy -- provides information on how to apply for childcare subsidy for eligible families; · halton.ca/immunization -- provides information about immunizations needed for school CHARLENE HALL KIM MOSSMAN Circulation Manager attendance and the recommended immunization schedule in Ontario; · hmcconnections.com (formerly Halton Multicultural Council) -- provides services to help newcomers adjust to life in Canada, including: counselling and settlement information, community connections, employment and housing supports, and English language training. While there are many services for newcomers to Halton, there are also opportunities for current residents to offer their support. The Halton Newcomer Strategy (haltonnewcomerstrategy.com) is an advocacy team that engages the community to empower newcomers to Halton and is always looking for passionate volunteers. Halton Region also provides speci c information for Syrian refugees on its website at halton.ca to help them make a safe and healthy transition. By continuing to work together, our communities can bene t from the talent, education, experience and commitment newcomers bring to the region. Newcomers make a difference in keeping Halton a great place to live, work, raise a family and retire. Proud Official Media Sponsor For: Canadian Circulations Audit Board Member Recognized for Excellence by Ontario Community Newspapers Association Canadian Community Newspapers Association Proud Official Media Sponsor For: The Oakville Beaver welcomes letters from its readers. Letters will be edited for clarity, length, legal considerations and grammar. In order to be published all letters must contain the name, address and phone number of the author. Letters should be addressed to: The Editor, Oakville Beaver, 5046 Mainway, Unit 2, Burlington ON L7L 5Z1 or via email to ablackburn@oakvillebeaver.com. The Beaver reserves the right to refuse to publish a letter. The Oakville Beaver is a member of the Ontario Press Council. The council is located at 80 Gould St., Suite 206, Toronto, Ont., M5B 2M7. Phone 416-340-1981. Advertising is accepted on the condition that, in the event of a typographical error, that portion of advertising space occupied by the erroneous item, together with a reasonable allowance for signature, will not be charged for, but the balance of the advertisement will be paid for at the applicable rate. The publisher reserves the right to categorize advertisements or decline.