Community Corner
Vernon Township Hosts Mental Health Fair September 21
Nonprofits that provide services for mental health, the developmentally disabled and addiction will attend the event providing resources.
The Vernon Township Community Mental Health Board will be hosting a Mental Health Fair on Saturday, September 21 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Community Service Building, located at 2900 N. Main Street in Buffalo Grove - and all community members are invited to attend. At the event, 23 agencies that serve individuals challenged with a range of mental health obstacles, in addition to developmental disabilities and addiction, will be showcasing what they offer, and sharing information, education and resources for Township residents.
The Mental Health Fair is free and open to the public and meant to help reduce any barriers to services, as well as awareness of them. The event will also help attendees to learn more about the mission of the Mental Health Board, and its grant-funded programs. A total of $703,500 in grants were awarded this year to local social service agencies that support mental and emotional health.
Opening remarks will be made by Township Supervisor Tim Kobler and Mental Health Board Member Al Dorfman, after which attendees are encouraged to explore the fair at their own pace. Therapy dogs will also be on-site to offer comfort and smiles throughout the event.
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“A vital role of the Community Mental Health Board is to connect residents to organizations that offer services that they themselves, a family member or friend, may need,” said Mental Health Board President Noelle Moore. “The upcoming Mental Health Fair will serve to connect individuals and families with these agencies to increase awareness and accessibility to them.”
The Mental Health Board was formed in 2022 and by Illinois statute, has authority in these three areas: general mental health services, drug and alcohol use prevention and programming, and services for people with developmental disabilities. This year was the first that the Board awarded grants to organizations providing mental health services, following the approval of its inaugural levy.
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An RSVP is not required for this event, and community members are invited to drop in when it is convenient. For additional information or a list of attending organizations, visit vernontownship.com/Calendar.aspx?EID=499. For organizations who would like to be added to the waitlist as a vendor for the event, please email Mr. Dorfman at [email protected].
