Valley View, District 202 Partner for Community Resource Fair

Submitted by District 202:

More than 100 Will, DuPage and Cook county service providers will be featured at the annual Community Resource Fair presented by Plainfield District 202 and Valley View District 365U school districts from 8:30 a.m. to noon Friday, Feb. 27, 2015.

The Resource Fair will be held at Plainfield East High School, 12001 S. Naperville Road, Plainfield. Free child care will be available.

The Fair is open to all District 202 and Valley View residents. Admission is also free. However, attendees are encouraged to bring a non-perishable food or dry good to be donated to the Creekside Cares backpack food program and local food pantries.

“This fair is a great way to learn about all of the excellent resources available to residents in northwest Will County and DuPage County,” said Plainfield High School Central Campus Social Worker, Alan Bank, one of the fair’s co-chairs.

“Attendees are free to look around to see what’s available, or, if they have a specific need, they can go to specific community vendors to talk with them,” Bank said.

Scheduled vendors include a wide range of hospitals, park districts, libraries, colleges, after-school care agencies, summer camps, and recreational facilities.

Vendors also include community agencies specializing in career counseling, financial counseling, chemical addiction, depression, homelessness, physical and mental health, home buying, and senior care. Several food pantries will also be represented.

“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 Lukancic 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.”

Services are available for all ages. “You may not even need any services right now,” Bank said. “But it would be a good idea to attend just to get some information in case you may need it someday.”

This year for the first time, the Fair includes three free community seminars on building resiliency in our children (9 a.m.); understanding social media (10 a.m.); and college life/financial aid (11 a.m.)

Free popcorn will be available throughout the fair. Guides and Spanish language interpreters will be available.

Plainfield East High School is located at 12001 S. Naperville Road in Plainfield, two miles west of Weber on Rodeo Drive and a mile east of Route 59 on 119th Street. Please park in northeast lot off Rodeo/119th and enter through Door N. The parking and fair are handicap accessible.

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

For more information and a complete Guide to Community Resources, please visit the event website.