Resource Fair shows the helping hands of the area | News, sports, jobs

Noah Johnson Daily Press The first-ever Community Resource Fair, hosted by Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency at Bay College, provided attendees with an array of resources and information.

ESCANABA – More than two dozen local organizations gathered at Bay College on Friday to highlight their community services.

Bay hosted the first Community Resource Fair, organized by the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency.

Community Action organized the event in conjunction with Homeless Awareness Month.

“We are holding a community fair for the first time and there is a great turnout,” Community Action Homeless Street Outreach Worker Kim Strom said.

Each organization set up a table with information packets, small items to meet basic needs and other treats. Each guest received a free bag to collect items from each booth, as well as information for the homeless hotline for Menominee, Delta and Schoolcraft counties.

V Realty Property Management had a booth with information about affordable housing – both long- and short-term rentals are available.

“We are passionate about people and over the past seven years we have worked with MSHDA, Community Action, St. Vincent De Paul and the local homeless shelters to help people struggling to find housing. It is not just a matter for us; it is also like a mission and ministry,” says Crystal Hayes, owner of V Realty Property Management.

Caitlin Sundblad, Talent Specialist at Michigan Works, says the organization does a lot more than people might realize.

Michigan Works services include basic job search resources, transportation funds to and from work and school, and more.

“We believe it is important that the community becomes aware of all the ways we can help,” Sundblad said.

Tri-County Safe Harbor attended the event with information on services for victims of domestic violence, sexual assault and stalking.

“We work with the Community Action Agency, you know, oftentimes homelessness stems from domestic violence; we just want the community to know we are here to help,” said program manager Melissa O’Neil.

Dr. Francie Myrick of OSF was on hand and offered free samples of Narcan – a nasal spray that can treat a narcotic overdose in an emergency situation – and instructions on how to administer the drug. Myrick said she hopes the Narcan isn’t used, but it’s better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it.

She added that if someone mistakes someone for an overdose and administers Narcan, it won’t cause any harm because it only blocks the effects of opioids.

Strom said the first event was a resounding success and hopes to make it even bigger next year.

She added that she hoped events like this and further education could help curb the stigma surrounding homelessness and poverty.

“I believe if we could break that (stigma) among our decision makers, we would be able to more easily deliver services to our customers. If people could just come to terms with the fact that it is a problem and that they deserve help,” Strom said.

For more information, visit the Menominee-Delta-Schoolcraft Community Action Agency’s Community Action Facebook page.