By Paige Gurgainers
The second annual Webster Parish Community Resource Fair brought local organizations and residents together Thursday, August 20, at the Minden Civic Center for a day focused on connection, service and community support.
Organized by Women of Courage Louisiana, the event featured just under 30 participating organizations and drew more than twice the number of attendees as the previous year.
D. Coleman McCoy, organizer with Women of Courage, said the organization’s mission is rooted in faith and service to others.
“Our mission is simply to do what Jesus said to do: love one another and serve one another,” McCoy said.
The Resource Fair was created with three primary goals. The first was to connect individuals with services and assistance available throughout the area. The second was to introduce residents to organizations they may want to support through volunteering or donations. The third was to encourage participating organizations to connect with one another and find new ways to work together.
Throughout the event, community members had an opportunity to visit with representatives from local nonprofit and service organizations, ask questions and learn more about available programs. Participating groups were also able to share information about their work while building relationships with other organizations serving Webster Parish.
McCoy said strengthening those connections is an important part of ensuring individuals and families can find the help they need.
“The adage ‘it takes a village’ is exactly what Jesus taught us… to stand in unity with and for one another,” she said.
The increase in both organizational participation and public attendance reflected the continued growth of the fair. By gathering a wide range of resources in one location, organizers hoped to make assistance easier to find while also showing residents the many opportunities available to serve others.
The event also demonstrated the value of collaboration among community organizations. When service providers understand the work being done by other groups, they are better equipped to refer individuals to additional resources and support one another’s efforts.
The Community Resource Fair was free and open to the public. Organizers hope the connections made during the event will continue beyond the fair and lead to greater cooperation among organizations, volunteers and the residents they serve.
