Community Connect Comes to CLC

Central Lakes College in Brainerd will offer a seminar for disadvantaged families on Saturday, Oct. 30.  It is called Crow Wing Community Connect, sponsored by the Crow Wing County Coalition to End Poverty.

The event from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. is being held to provide a one-stop shop for individuals and families in the Crow Wing County area to apply for various types of benefits, receive information on opportunities for them, and apply for social service assistance.

Similar events have been held throughout Minnesota, including in Aitkin and Mille Lacs counties,  according to Natasha Leyk, AmeriCorps VISTA. Aitkin County has held an Operation Community Connect for four years, with around 100 families attending and 40 area services at the event.   She says they would like to serve 300 households at the first event.

Free workshops include Nutritious Meal Demonstration, Women’s Health 101, Bridge to Benefits (benefit eligibility), Basics of Financial Literacy, Family Law Panel, and Job Searching.

Other free services available at the event will be haircuts, energy assistance, gas and food cards, veteran assistance, benefit screening for housing and employment, and public health. Lunch is included.