An exciting new program called Homeward Bound Halton has begun this September at our Skills Training Centre in Oakville. Sheridan is proud to partner with Home Suite Hope, a local not-for-profit organization that will lead the initiative, along with the Region of Halton and the Oakville Community Foundation to deliver the program, which offers a combination of services to help single mothers to become self-supporting.
Five women will begin the program this year, with another five entering in each of 2015 and 2016. During their first fall semester, the women will be enrolled in Sheridan’s Academic Upgrading program, offered by the Faculty of Humanities & Social Sciences to help them transition into our post-secondary programs. In January, the women will begin a two-year college diploma program at Sheridan (with all elements of their college education funded by the Oakville Community Foundation). They will subsequently participate in an internship and receive assistance in securing a job placement. During the program, each family will be housed in a fully furnished apartment for up to four years, and will receive fully-funded child care and other ‘wrap-around’ supports from the community partners involved. Ultimately, Homeward Bound brings together the key supports that families need to help them achieve self-sufficiency, re-engage with their community and break the cycle of poverty.
“As the academic partner in the Homeward Bound Halton program, I am very proud of the role Sheridan will play to help transform people’s lives,” says Dr. Jeff Zabudsky, President and CEO of Sheridan. “Participants will receive the education they need to launch their careers. They will also be fully supported during their learning journey, receiving complimentary laptop computers, access to student support services, internship placements and assistance with their job search upon graduation. This program is an excellent example of what is possible when partners come together and get creative to tackle a complex issue such as poverty.”
Homeward Bound Halton is the first replication in Canada of the highly successful Homeward Bound model pioneered by WoodGreen Community Services in Toronto. Since 2004, the original Homeward Bound program has helped over 150 women and more than 200 children. Program graduates are now in career track positions such as law clerk, data management officer, and technical services analyst, working at companies such as TD, RBC, CIBC, BMO, and Scotiabank. A Return on Investment study undertaken by Boston Consulting Group concluded that for every program dollar spent, a return of four dollars is achieved as a result of graduates’ success in becoming employed, self-supporting members of the community. The life-changing impact this program has on the women and their families is the human side of the story, though, and this is well described by a former participant in a very heart-rending video testimonial which you can view on Woodgreen’s website.
Sheridan’s participation in the Homeward Bound Halton program is being coordinated through the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences. If you are interested in learning more about the program, please contact Rossana Gorys, Acting Senior Manager, Special Projects at ext. 5412 or rossana.gorys@sheridancollege.ca
