School Districts Host Community Resource Fair

With more than 150 service providers from throughout Will, DuPage and Cook Counties present, the Tuesday, Feb. 21 free Community Resource Fair at the Romeoville Recreation Center, 900 W. Romeo Rd., promises to be an information-filled event for local residents.

Sponsored annually by Plainfield Community Unit District 202 and Valley View School District 365U, the Resource Fair is open from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Child care will be available for $1 per child from 9 a.m. to noon.

“It’s important for everyone to learn about, and understand, the great services this area offers,” said Plainfield High School Central Campus social worker Alan Bank, one of the fair’s co-chairs. “Whether it’s health issues or financial issues or summer fun, there will be people at this fair who will be able to help.”

On hand will be hospitals, park districts, libraries, colleges, after-school care agencies, summer camps, and recreation facilities as well as  community agencies that specialize in such things as career counseling, financial counseling, chemical addiction, depression, homelessness, physical and mental health, home buying and senior care.  

“As a school social worker (at VVSD’s Jane Addams Middle School) when a family has an issue, often times I give them a piece of paper with a phone number of an agency on it and tell them to call,” said Fair co-chair Colleen Porritt. “But with this Fair, people who attend will have an opportunity to talk face-to-face with all sorts of providers.”

“If you have ever had any fear or apprehension about seeking help, there is no need to worry, because our volunteers and vendors are all here for you,” said Brooks Middle School social worker Mary Davis, another co-chair of the event.  “You can visit with one provider or you can visit with them all.”

All fair attendees will receive the 2012 Community Resource Fair Provider Guide which lists every provider at the Fair with summaries of services and complete contact information.

“You don’t need to have children in either of the two sponsoring school districts to attend,” Porritt said. “Young or old. Single or married. Children or no children. You may not even need any services right now. But it would be wise to attend just to get some information in case you may need it someday.”

 “Bring a neighbor. Bring a friend,” Bank said. “The fair’s providers can help you with just about anything going on in your life.”

Among vendors scheduled to attend are DuCAP; Legacy Clinical Consultants; Renewal Comprehensive Services; Linden Oaks at Edward, Provena Mercy Medical Center, Riveredge, Timberline Knolls, Alexian Brothers, and Rosecrance hospitals; Aquino Clinical Services; Power Connection; DuPage Township; and Will County Center for Community Concerns. 

Musical entertainment at the fair will be provided by Plainfield schools. Free popcorn will be available throughout the fair with Plainfield Superintendent John Harper scheduled as a “guest popper” at 9 a.m. and VVSD Superintendent James Mitchem scheduled as a “guest popper” at 11 a.m.

Spanish language interpreters will be available.

With plenty of free parking, the Romeoville Recreation Center is located at 900 W. Romeo Rd. (135th Street), about a mile east of Weber Road. The parking and fair are handicap accessible.

Questions about the fair can be directed to the Resource Fair Voice Mail Hotline at 815-886-7246. Dial extension 802 for English or extension 803 for Spanish.