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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, June 18, 2015 | 22 Tournament of Hope helps abused children and teens by Bob Mitchell Oakville Beaver Staff You might think there's nothing but heartbreak for of cials and clinicians who deal on a daily basis with abused children and youth, some as young as toddlers. But for people like Margaret McConnell, manager of fundraising for Oakville's Radius Child & Youth Services, it's the end of the young people's journey that really matters. "It's hard to see it, but when you look at the treatment outcomes and how great the kids are when they're done -- and the great changes in their lives -- it's really heartwarming," McConnell said. The organization's chief fundraising event, the Tournament of Hope golf tournament, is set for Monday, Aug. 24 at the Royal Ontario Margaret McConnell Golf Club. More than $53,000 was raised last year. McConnell is hoping to exceed that total this time. "That money helped make a difference in the lives of 40 children and youth," McConnell said. "It helped clear up about three months of our waiting list." In all, 600 children, youth and families underwent treatment and intensive assessment in 2014, but there is a sevenmonth waiting list, McConnell said. "Raising funds is always a struggle because we always struggle with the wait list," McConnell said. "We get some speci c funding from United Ways of Oakville, Burlington, Milton and Halton Hills, the Ministry of Children and Youth Services, Halton Region and various companies, but it's never enough. We have close to 70 kids on the waiting list right now and that's about seven months. "That's where it hits me. These kids have either disclosed their abuse or their neglect has been discovered and investigated, but now they're going to wait until a spot opens. That's where the issue is. There's never enough money." Radius sees an average of 30 kids each month, McConnell said. The average child or teen stays in the program for 48 weeks, spending an hour each visit, following initial six to eight hours of intensive assessment. The initial assessment costs $1,600 and weekly sessions cost $60. see Radius on p.30 Same Reliable Owners Clean Each Visit Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products Colour-Coded Cloths Reduce Cross Contamination Enviroshield® Whole Home Disinfecting Strongest Guarantee In The Industry (XXX) XXX-XXXX 289.809.9823 localurladdressgoeshere.com Oakville.MaidRight.com Leaky Basement? Call Us! · Crack Injection Repair Specialist · Wise Dry Interior Drain Systems · Lifetime Fully Transferrable Warranty · Masonry/Parging Repairs Call Us... 905-510-9739 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville 2376 Parkhaven Blvd, Oakville · 905-257-5880 905-257-5880 maximekitchens.ca maximekitchens.ca Professional, Cost Effective Solutions for Wet wayne@wisecracks.com Basements w w w. H a l t o n Wi s e C ra c k s. co m