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OAKVILLE BEAVER Wednesday, July 22, 2009 · 20 Garden to offer solace to the sheltered Continued from page 19 different circumstances could lead people to being here in the Lighthouse Shelter," said Jenny Kotulak who, with Heather Tilley, cochaired OMDREB's garden project committee. Mayor Rob Burton noted Oakville is a community like any other, with all the things that any other community has. OMDREB president Dianna Morrison said the shelter staff inspire others with their daily kindness and compassion. "A safe home is something we take for granted," said Morrison noting for some, homes are not safe and others don't have a home. While not all the relatives of the deceased have yet agreed to having their loved one's name inscribed in the garden, Sawatzky said Brittany's family has donated a bench in the garden in their daughter's name. Brittany's family was present as the garden plan was outlined. The Halton Lighthouse Shelter is a partnership of The Salvation Army Community Church of Oakville and Region of Halton. It opened on Trafalgar Road in 1999 at the former Grace House, a mental health facility and moved to a Kerr area residence to the for- "Brittany was with us very briefly. She was a beautiful young girl that many of the staff and residents had the opportunity to get to know." Rachel Sawatzky, director Lighthouse Shelter mer Chamber of Commerce building on Country Squire Lane and faced a good deal of community concern before finally settling at 750 Redwood Square in 2005. The Lighthouse Shelter is the only emergency homeless shelter in Oakville, Burlington and Milton and serves a population of 440,000. There is a total vacancy of 25 beds; 15 for males and 10 for females. "There are 12 individuals that we know of for sure who have passed on since we met them. Due to confidentiality, we haven't received permission to name the individuals, or allow it to be known that they stayed at the shelter. As a team though, we all know who the garden is for, and they remain in our thoughts and memories," said Sawatzky. "Brittany was with us very briefly. She was a beautiful young girl that many of the staff and residents had the opportunity to get to know. She suffered from depression and was really struggling. Despite this, she was a kind and generous girl -- who tried to help everyone else. Shortly after her last stay with us, we learned the news of her sudden death. It hit us very hard as a team, and within our shelter community," said Sawatzky. "We agreed on the idea of planting a small garden. Brittany was the inspiration definitely, but the vision grew into a memorial of all the lives we had the opportunity to share a moment in time with, who are no longer here," said Sawatzky. "I told Alex it must have been a divine intervention that she called me, and I told her about our garden project, and the story of the young girl who had inspired it," said Sawatzky. The Lighthouse shelter is available to all Halton residents in a temporary housing crisis. There is no typical profile for a homeless person as clients have come from all socio-economic backgrounds. The people are Halton residents and deserve to remain in their home community while they work through the challenges they face -- rather than a lack of shelter forcing them to Toronto or Hamilton. People who need accommodation, can call Halton Region during business hours (Coordinated Intervention Services Team at 905-825-6000) or the shelter directly on nights or weekends (905-339-2918). Anyone wishing to donate to the garden project, can contact Ramsay-Brown at pr@omdreb.on.ca or danmillar@can.salvationarmy.org. NO OR T MENT FOR PAY RES S E INT ONTH 6M 30th Anniversary HOT TUB & SWIM SPA o+ Gazeb t Tub Ho 5 Man 15,995 Reg. $ 9,995 Only $ ,000 6 Save $ b Hot Tu ter a Salt W de Upgra 500 1, Reg. $ 750* Only $ 750 Save $ ice 1/2 Pr SALE Easy to l Instal HUGE DISCOUNTS Get Swimming This Summer with the world's only Self Cleaning Swim Spa ct on Fa ds & n Seco dels o '08 M Save up to $4000ry o Pool Chemicals on Sale Dazzle Eco Friendly Chemicals www.hydropoolhottubswaterloo.com Train at Home Swim in Place ry Factoct Dire * On Self-Cleaning Hot Tubs only. Oakville Showroom 2528 Bristol Circle Winston Churchill/Dundas 905-829-4991 (Behind Home Depot)