In collaboration with Bridges Coalition, Rosecrance New Life Outpatient Center hosted a Social Service Resource fair for the community on Friday May 19th from 10am-3pm. The resource fair brought together over 40 vendors from Iowa and Illinois. These vendors included mental and behavioral health services, support group services, employment readiness consultation, employment resources, education resources, legal and financial services, at risk programs, domestic and sexual abuse services, anti-trafficking, child welfare, Department of Human Services, Government offices, recreational activities, faith organizations, disability services, healthcare, housing/shelters and family services. Social services have a statutory obligation to safeguard and promote the welfare of vulnerable children and adults by providing a wide range of services. The Community Resource Fair was a community expo that brought these service providers together to share helpful information and resources with individuals who are in need of social service agencies in the Quad Cities area. The event was designed to bring community resources together under one roof – providing a one stop environment where these individuals can obtain the assistance needed to move beyond the barriers that prevent them from achieving success. Although the Bridges Community Resource Fair is unable to solve every problem for each participant involved, it can offer a good starting point – connecting individuals in need with organizations and people that can meet their needs beyond just the services offered by a single program. This opportunity also allows providers to integrate services providing a full spectrum of personal and social solutions to individuals. Rosecance New Life and Bridges hope to continue this resource fair for many years to come and continue to grow and connect not only services but individuals within our community.
