Harrisonburg and Rockingham County service agencies are gathering this Saturday for the second annual community resource fair. WMRA's Randi B. Hagi reports.
From 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. this Saturday, more than 35 vendors and organizations will be set up in the parking lot outside the Rockingham County administration building. Their goal is to reach people experiencing homelessness and housing barriers, those reentering the community after incarceration, and those with low or no income.
RAGAN MCMANUS: We've got various health centers, social services, mental health, recovery services.
Ragan McManus is the deputy director of Strength in Peers. They're co-hosting the fair with Open Doors. Various booths will offer blood pressure checks, employment opportunities, and information about everything from counseling services to canes and walkers.
MCMANUS: Healthy Community Health Centers is coming out, Central Shenandoah Health District is going to be providing COVID vaccines and DTaP and Hep A vaccination. And then Strength in Peers is also offering HIV and Hepatitis C testing, and our harm reduction program will be out there. The Virginia Department of Veterans Services will be there, Free Foundation, Habitat for Humanity, First Step – a lot of, really, just great groups from around the area.
Last year, the event had about 100 attendees. This year, after doing more marketing in the county, they're hoping for even more.
MCMANUS: Come out for a great day of resource connection and camaraderie!
Hot dogs and drinks will be available on a first come, first served basis. In the event that it is pouring down rain, the fair may be moved to September 23rd.
