Hundreds of Lewis County youth served at Community Resource Fair
Top center, Community Resource Fair organizers Rickie Anders, left, Lisa Leon and Elyssa Brown.
CENTRALIA – Hundreds upon hundreds of families lined the sidewalks outside TransAlta Commons at Centralia College Thursday, Aug. 10, creating a procession that wound through the college campus and west down Centralia College Blvd.
Kids of all ages and their parents or guardians gathered from throughout Lewis County to learn about all the resources our community offers and to receive free school supplies, clothing, shoes, backpacks and more.
Over 40 community youth and family resource and healthcare agencies gathered for the first-ever Community Resource Fair hosted by the Lewis County Youth Mentorship Program.
“The schools supplies are intended to provide financial support to families and help the kids succeed during the upcoming school year,” Youth Mentorship Program Coordinator Lisa Leon said. “I was one of these kids at one point, and being able to see our community come together and support the youth means a lot to me.”
Youth filled their new backpacks with pencils, markers, crayons, glue and other necessities for the coming school year. Many received free haircuts and vouchers for complimentary sports healthcare check-ups.
Leon and Lewis County Juvenile Court Probation Manager Rickie Anders and Probation Officer Elyssa Brown organized the event.
“We want to make sure our youth have positive experiences, giving the kids all the support they need to succeed and giving them the tools to be resilient,” Leon added.