Four Chatham-Kent organizations have come together to host a meet-and-greet that aims to strengthen community ties and dispel stigma.
The Mental Health Network of Chatham Kent (Hope House), Reach Out Chatham Kent (R.O.C.K), The Salvation Army, and Hope Haven are hoping their neighbours and the community will come out to 71 Raleigh Street on Thursday from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and have some fun while also learning about what their organizations all do to better the community and its members.
"We wanted the partnership to help residents to live in this area to know what resources are available in their own backyard," said Mental Health Network of Chatham Kent Acting Executive Director Jennifer Jackson. "We are very close to each other in this neighbourhood and that's why we decided to get together and call it the neighbourhood meet & greet. And we all serve different populations and we all do different things."
Enbridge employees are serving up a free BBQ and there will be balloon art by Cam.PopArt from 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. In addition to all that, four information booths, one for each organization will be set up where people can learn about what each one has to offer and volunteer opportunities.
"It is the first time we have come together, and we've noticed, and I'm sure everybody in the community has noticed, the need for homes and services," said Jackson. "We wanted to let people know we are here, we care, we want to try and help. We also want people to not have any misconceptions about who we are and what we do and the people we serve. They are all Chatham-Kent residents."