BRAVE to host Family Resilience Fair on Oct. 9

BRAVE, the Wrangell organization advocating for stronger community relationships, will be hosting a Family

Resilience Fair on Oct. 9 at 6:30 p.m. at the Nolan Center.

According to volunteer Maleah Wenzel, the fair is meant to provide Wrangell families with information about what resources are available to them. She added that the event was originally going to be held at the high school commons, but it has outgrown the space and was moved to the Nolan Center.

“Basically the purpose of this is to make sure people in town know what resources they have, make sure families know what resources they have, so when they need help or they simply just want to be connected with the community, they know where to turn,” she said. “So pretty much every organization in town, that I thought of at least, that has any sort of family service or family program has been invited.”

Wenzel said that about a dozen organizations have agreed to participate in the fair, with more expected. The organizations will provide flyers and information to the public at the fair, and will also provide entertainment such as games and other activities. Food will also be provided at the fair. Some of the organizations Wenzel mentioned include the Wrangell parks and recreation department, Alaska Crossings, SEARHC, the girl scouts, several worship communities, and the school district.

A women’s advocate with BRAVE will be visiting from Ketchikan, introducing her at the fair. The women’s advocate will be coming to Wrangell on a monthly basis, according to Wenzel. She said that it was important for people in Wrangell, and across Southeast Alaska, to know what kinds of resources they could use. With the isolation of the area, as well as poverty, she said families need as much help as can be provided.

“It’s just to make sure people do know they have resources to help, whatever that kind of help may be,” Wenzel said. “I feel like there’s a lot of things people don’t realize exist here.”