People wearing Hawaiian shirts and leis greeted attendees at a resource fair Thursday hosted by the faith-based nonprofit Open House Ministries, which operates a shelter in downtown Vancouver.
With barbecued food and games, the event offered the festive air of a block party while also connecting people with supportive services. A record-breaking number of community partners participated this year.
“This is my favorite event that we have because I think we impact the most people in one day,” said Renee Stevens, executive director of Open House Ministries.
Resource tables filled the shelter’s gymnasium and overflowed into the streets outside.
Pet owners lined West 13th Street waiting to get their pets examined by the Humane Society for Southwest Washington.
Aleister, a 62-pound puppy, drank straight from a plastic water bottle while waiting for his checkup.
“I want him to get looked at to get neutered,” said Richard DeGagne, Aleister’s owner. He added with a laugh: “We don’t want another one like him.”
The Humane Society provided community members with free preventive pet care, including vaccinations, flea and tick treatments, microchipping and wellness exams.
The Humane Society was prepared to care for as many as 70 pets.
“This is a great event offering services, not only our pet services but other opportunities for people, as well,” said LJ Skiles, the Humane Society’s community solutions manager.
Other local service providers included Clark County Food Bank, Great Clips and the nonprofit Restored and Revived.
In the gymnasium, nonprofit Thrive2Survive was front and center as attendees walked through the doors. The organization works with nonprofits and other organizations providing stepping stones for people in need, such as help navigating affordable housing.
“We try to come to these events as much as we can,” said Lexi Carnell, who works for Thrive2Survive. “We bring resources together in one place to help people.”
Clark County Jail Services talked with community members about its Reentry Program, which connects people to resources before they’re released.
“I help people get resources that they might not be able to for themselves,” said Heather Mason, jail transition coordinator.
Toward the back of the gymnasium, Kelly Phillips handed out information about transitional housing options offered by XChange Recovery.
Behind Phillips, a photo of her while in addiction from many years ago sat in a collage of other similar photos. Phillips, who is in long-term recovery and now works as an XChange Recovery certified peer counselor, said she even hands out her cellphone number to people who stop by the booth.
“So even if people aren’t ready now, I say, ‘Call me if you have questions or call me if you change your mind,’” Phillips said. “Events (like this) are planting those seeds of hope and hoping that when people are ready and want to try something different – we’ll be here to support them.”
