The Garcelon Civic Centre is set to become a hub of community connection and empowerment on November 16th as it hosts the inaugural Community Empowerment and Wellness Fair. The event promises to bring together a diverse array of service providers and wellness professionals under one roof, aiming to enhance community resilience and awareness around pressing social issues.

Vicki Hogarth – Local Journalism Initiative

The fair is spearheaded by the Willow Centre in collaboration with the Charlotte County Abuse Prevention Network, Charlotte County Outreach, and other notable organizations such as Love Shouldn't Hurt, and We’re Here for You Canada. Stephanie Clarke of the Willow Centre emphasized the importance of the initiative, stating, "We really want to build a community of collective care, where we are all on the same page."

The fair’s primary focus is on mental health, addiction, and gender-based violence, aligning with November's designation as Family Violence Prevention Month. Sam Gullison, also from the Willow Centre, highlighted the event's significance, noting, “It truly does take a village. And for so long, especially with COVID, we’ve all worked in silos. This provides that opportunity to engage and to understand.”

Attendees can expect to see a wide range of organizations represented, including Project Village, Working NB, and the Boys and Girls Club, among others. The fair will also provide resources from service providers unable to attend, ensuring comprehensive access to information and support. "Right now, we have a range of about 35 service providers that have booked," Gullison shared.

The fair will feature booths set up for service providers, allowing attendees to explore the various services available in Charlotte County. In addition to informational booths, there will be engaging activities for families, including face painting and a special section with Bernie's Body Blast, designed to entertain children while parents and caregivers explore resources.

The fair will also host a series of informative sessions. Community Officer Lisa Williams will kick off the sessions with a talk on consent, followed by Stephanie Clarke’s session on healthy relationships, and Lisa Cheney’s focus on mental health. "One of the things that I see a lot of the times is we don’t have healthy relationships all the time," Clark remarked, underlining the importance of education on relationship dynamics.

The Willow Centre, a relatively new addition to Charlotte County’s support network, plays a crucial role in the fair. It offers specialized services for victims of sexual violence, providing both support and advocacy. "We service all of Charlotte County... and eventually, hopefully, we'll be more in person," Clark explained, highlighting the Centre's commitment to expanding its reach and impact.

The fair also aims to foster collaboration among service providers themselves, with a pre-session designed to allow organizations to network and understand each other's offerings. "It's an opportunity to get a deeper understanding of the resources that are offered from all of these community partners," Gullison remarked.

The fair represents a significant step towards building a more connected and informed community, offering insights not only into available services but also into existing gaps. As Gullison put it, “What we hope for the impact to be is for people that are attending themselves to be empowered when they leave... and on the other side of that, to see what gaps exist.”

The fair promises to be a pivotal event for Charlotte County, offering a unique opportunity for community engagement and support. With free entry and numerous giveaways, it invites everyone to come and be part of a collective movement towards a healthier, more connected community.