Support St. Charles Resource and Volunteer Fair
St. Charles City-County Library
Innovation Synopsis
The Support St. Charles Resource and Volunteer Fair established a centralized platform for community members to discover and access a diverse array of local resources, explore volunteer opportunities, and engage directly with organizations that are making a positive impact in their community. This event aimed to support local non-profit organizations in St. Charles County while raising awareness about their contributions. Additionally, it aligned with the 2023 Summer Challenge theme, “All Together Now,” by fostering collaboration and connection among community members and organizations.
Challenge/Opportunity
The Resource and Volunteer Fair united community stakeholders to foster engagement, discover resources, explore volunteer opportunities, and highlight key aspects of community building and nonprofit sector development, aligning with the 2023 Summer Challenge theme “All Together Now.” 190 attendees demonstrated strong local interest and participation, crucial for building a robust civil society. Residents connected with essential services, aligning with the nonprofit sector's role in supporting the community. Organizations could build their human resource capacity by recruiting volunteers. 20 organizations, including political engagement, career development, and healthcare, were showcased, facilitating cross-sector networking and enhancing collaboration. The setting encouraged active participation and relationship-building, fostering social networks and community bonds. This was an innovative approach to community engagement, resource distribution, and solutions for community needs.
Key Elements of Innovation
The fair was a significant step in fostering community connections and enhancing the support network for individuals and organizations in our area.
It was engaging and interactive, including various activities and resources and representing 20 diverse community services covering education, political engagement, social services, and health & wellness.
Informational Booths:
- League of Women Voters
- NAACP
- Election Authority
- Alzheimer’s Association
- St. Louis Area Diaper Bank
- St. Charles County Council of the Blind
- CRUSH (Community Resources United to Stop Heroin)
- St. Charles ProMedica Hospice
- Aging Ahead
- American Red Cross
- St. Charles County Parks
- MoGreenFuture
- Habitat for Humanity
- Mo SHIP (State Health Insurance Assistance Program)
- Sts. Joachim and Ann Care Services
- United Way
- Francis Howell School District Parents as Teachers
- Career Development Consultations:
- St. Charles County Job Center
Demonstrations:
- Central County Fire Rescue Community Outreach
- St. Louis Wild Bird Rehab
Achieved Outcomes
Outcomes included:
- Discover and Explore: Community members accessed local resources and volunteer opportunities, engaging directly with impactful organizations.
- Holistic Community Engagement: The fair offered a comprehensive view of community resources and needs.
- Dual-Purpose Approach: The event combined resource access with volunteer recruitment, empowering attendees to receive help and contribute.
- Cross-Sector Collaboration: Networking among diverse organizations led to new partnerships and initiatives.
- Interactive Learning Environment: Hands-on experiences made information memorable.
- Efficient Community Outreach: Consolidating organizations maximized outreach and reduced time and resources typically required.
- Attendance: 190 diverse community members participated.
- Resource Connections: 80% of organizations reported volunteer registrations, with some achieving record sign-ups.
- Growth: Neighboring counties expressed interest in replicating the fair.
