A new community resource fair aimed at connecting families with vital services and support will debut next month at Manning High School.
The first annual Clarendon County “March Into Awareness” Community Resource Fair will be held March 3 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the Manning High School gymnasium. The event is organized by Amber Lydford, a nationally certified Community Work Incentive Coordinator and senior lead benefits specialist with South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation.
Lydford, who works with individuals receiving Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare benefits, said the idea for the fair grew out of both her professional role and personal experiences living in Clarendon County.
“I’ve been familiar with resource fairs in larger cities for years, and I kept thinking we needed something like this here,” she said. “Too often we hear the same three words from families: ‘I didn’t know.’ I didn’t know this service existed, I didn’t know I could get help, I didn’t know where to start.”
Through a partnership between South Carolina Vocational Rehabilitation and Clarendon County School District, Lydford secured Manning High School as the venue and began coordinating what has grown into a large-scale community event.
More than 60 organizations are expected to participate, representing services from early childhood through senior care. Vendors will include health and wellness providers, mental health clinics, employment and job training programs, housing and financial support agencies, and family and youth organizations. Mentorship programs and nonprofits will also be on hand to provide information about leadership development and support opportunities for young people.
Lydford said her goal is for attendees to leave with a clearer understanding of available resources and where to turn for help.
“Even if someone walks away with just a starting point — just one connection — that’s a success,” she said. “It’s about helping individuals and families lead and live a successful quality of life.”
The fair is designed as a family-friendly event with activities for all ages. Outdoor activities, weather permitting, will include bounce houses, face painting, cornhole and kids’ games. Food trucks and an ice cream truck will be on site, and free hot dogs will be available while supplies last.
Attendees will also be encouraged to participate in Resource Bingo, an interactive activity designed to guide visitors to vendor booths and help them learn about available services while earning a free lunch.
While exhibitor registration for this year’s event is full, Lydford said she hopes to make the resource fair an annual — and possibly biannual — event and expand the concept to other rural communities in the future.
Families unable to attend can contact Lydford directly for assistance connecting with local resources.
For more information, contact Amber Lydford at ALydford@SCVRD.net.
