Wrangell’s upcoming Resilience Fair represents more than just a day of activities; it serves as a vital bridge connecting residents to essential support systems that are often physically distant from the island.

BRAVE Secretary Kay Larson is looking forward to this year’s event — scheduled for Saturday, April 18, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Nolan Center — with a sense of optimism, focusing not only on the immediate schedule but on the long-term partnerships that could develop.

The organization, which stands for Building Respect and Valuing Everyone, operates on the belief that strengthening community bonds and increasing awareness of available help are the primary tools for preventing domestic violence.

Larson said the mission is especially critical in a remote location where many service providers do not maintain a permanent office. By bringing these representatives together in one place, the fair creates an opportunity for face-to-face interaction and education.

Organizers have designed the fair to be an energetic and engaging event while still addressing the serious nature of its underlying goals. Larson noted that approximately 13 different booths will be set up, representing a wide variety of agencies and programs.

“I think it’s a good sign that we have gotten so many agencies to commit to coming here for the fair, when traveling isn’t so easy to do at the moment,” Larson said.

One of the highlights involves a collaboration with the Irene Ingle Public Library, which will host a Teddy Bear Sleepover Storytime on Friday, April 17, at 6:30 p.m.

This event aims to provide a gentle and playful experience for the community’s youngest residents and their families. Children are encouraged to wear their pajamas and bring a favorite stuffed animal for an evening of cozy stories and a craft project where they can create their own sleep masks.

While the children return home for the night, their stuffed companions will remain at the library for an overnight adventure. Library staff plan to document the toys’ late-night antics, allowing families to return Saturday morning to reunite with their bears and see photos of what they did after hours. Larson views these types of programs as essential for building a sense of safety and imagination within the community.

The fair will also include a ceremony to honor all the infants born in the community since the previous year’s event. This focus on the next generation aligns with the observation of Child Abuse Prevention Month in April.

Larson mentioned that plenty of educational literature regarding child safety will be available at the fair, and BRAVE members will be distributing these resources to schools throughout the month.

Beyond the immediate festivities, the organization is celebrating its new status as an official IRS-certified nonprofit. This legal milestone opens new doors for funding and outreach.

“Being a registered nonprofit helps us be in a position to do more to educate and to help,” Larson said.

She expressed particular excitement about collaborating with the newly opened WCA domestic violence prevention office and its lead, Naomi Fowler. Larson believes Fowler’s background in systems management will be an asset to the community.

“Naomi has a wonderful background and she really has some great ideas. I think some great things will happen there,” Larson said.