CLC campus to host county's first 'Operation Community Connect'

Central Lakes College will host Crow Wing County's inaugural Operation Community Connect, an event sponsored by the Crow Wing County Coalition to End Poverty, on Oct. 30 on the Brainerd campus.

The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and 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," Natasha Leyk, AmeriCorps VISTA, said in an e-mail release. "Aitkin County has held an Operation Community Connect for four years, with around 100 families attending and 40 area services at the event. We would like to serve 300 households at our 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.

Partnering agencies/organizations include Bridges of Hope, Central Lakes College- Upward Bound, College of St. Scholastica Social Work Program, Crow Wing County, Lakes Area Senior Center, Legal Aid Services, Lutheran Social Service - Energy Assistance, Lutheran Social Service HOPE Housing, Northern Pines Mental Health, Parish Nurses, Rural Minnesota CEP and Tri-County Community Action, Inc.

Information is available by calling Natasha Leyk, AmeriCorps VISTA, at (218) 825-7682 or e-mail vista@bridgesofhopemn.org.