Cass County Cares resource fair

A Cass County Cares Family Fun Day at Mattie Lanier Center in Atlanta brought lots of fun, free food, prizes, and a chance to learn about the many resources for families that are available in Cass County.

Scores of families turned up from 10:00 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. to find an array of resources that provided advice that helped with everything from utility payments, and continuing education, to a chance to talk to advocates for children and veterans. Food, bounce houses, and giveaways were popular, with Atlanta Independent School District educators handing out brand-new clothing and attire donated by Wal-Mart.

“I’ve given away so many clothes that I’ve lost count,” Angela Thompson, with A-ISD said. “It’s been a lot and that makes me so happy.”

Thompson said she also runs a Senior Prom Boutique where she helps high schoolers get the swag they need for the big day.

The event was sponsored by Atlanta ISD, State Bank, and GT Church.

GT Church and Texas Department of Public Safety employees greeted folks at the door. GT said they take supplies to disasters and offer food and services, based on donations. They also offer help in other areas when able.

Darryl and Nicole Yancey, GT Church outreach directors said donations can be dropped off at the church. GT Church can be reached at 903-796-3183 or by email at info@gtatlanta.church. GT Church is located at 607 Holly Street near the Mattie Lanier Center.

TxDOT’s Emyli Speer said they were happy to help families with small children check to make sure their kiddos’ carseats were secured correctly and would take old or expired ones to replace them.

“If there is someone who needs one we can provide it,” Speer said. She and co-workers handed out lots of helpful, informative and even fun material for kids– like a book called “Bernard in the Backseat” that told a story of a teddy bear and his friend Danny that demonstrated him being correctly secured in his car seat for travel, and two coloring/activity books that promoted the Buckle Up Texas campaign and driving safely through construction zones.

Speer also reminded families to never leave their child in a car alone and handed out a cool awareness decal & thermometer for the family car, with the option of taping your child’s photo onto it.

Community Services of Northeast Texas, Inc. (CSNT), which serves several counties in east Texas provided advice for energy assistance, homeowner assistance, payee service, case management, and rent assistance. There was even information on getting young children enrolled in Head Start and handing out books to prepare children for beginning preschool and kindergarten– as well as giving out toothbrushes for kids.

“We are a non-profit that helps with budgeting material such as property taxes and offer energy and water assistance, as well,” said Amy Perales. Pearales, along with Patricia Richardson and Brenda Cummings were available to pass out materials and talk with families. They can be contacted at their Linden office at 903-756-5596. The ladies said their primary goal is networking to fight poverty.

Likewise, Children’s Advocacy Center of Texarkana were present to advocate for hope, healing, and justice for abused children in our communities. Director of Education and Outreach, Breanne Bradshaw, and Trinity Gardner, education specialist passed out literature that said, sadly, one in 10 children will be sexually abused before their 18th birthday “Our Center is the first stop for when a sexual allegation is made,” Bradshaw said. “We step in and talk to the child so that a child only has to tell their story one time.”

Bradshaw said they also teach parents and teachers how to look for signs of sexual abuse and conduct forensic interviews with trained professionals at the request of law enforcement or child protection agencies. In addition, they provide trauma-focused therapy to children.

If you suspect child abuse or neglect, call the child abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400. If you sense a child is in immediate danger, the advocacy center recommends calling 911.

Bradshaw and Gardner can be contacted at 903-792-2215.

Advocacy for veterans was also available through East Texas Veterans Resource Center’s Emily Lester, health care navigator. She can be reached at 903-399-9781 or on their website helpforvets.com.

Separately, North East Texas Chapter of the Military Veteran Peer Network also connects service members, veterans, and their families in the area to find resources and get help and support. They can be found at 501 Pine Tree Road in Longview, Texas or contacted by phone at 903-3166478. You can follow them on Facebook by searching ‘Help for Vets’ or visiting their website MilVetPeer.net.