Need help finding community services? Come to the Community Connect open house

Don’t know where to go for energy assistance? Having trouble making ends meet? Need to ask a question and get some legal advice but don’t know which way to turn?

Then attend the upcoming Cook County Community Connect event and learn about the many services that may be available to you.

The Cook County Community Center will be the site of the second annual Cook County Community Connect open house on Monday, September 25 from 4-7 p.m. Free drop-off childcare will be provided at the YMCA from 3:30 to 7 p.m.

Tables and booths with pamphlets of information will be available and folks will be on hand ready to answer any questions you might have.

Programs and services displayed will be related to health and medical support services, housing, financial assistance, food support, legal advice, emergency assistance, energy assistance, churches, schools, clubs, and more.

There will be a free meal, door prizes, snacks, and freebies to go along with lots of information.

Arrowhead Economic Opportunity Agency (EOA) is the sponsor of the event. In addition to that, AEOA and Cook County Kids Plus are the fiscal agents, said AEOA employee Anita Jeziah. “We also received grants from Northland Foundation and North Shore Healthcare Foundation. The local Small Business Development Center (SBDC) is also assisting with some funding,” added Jeziah.

Putting all of the pieces in place for this program was a small four-person committee. “A lot of time and energy was put in, in the planning of the event,” Jeziah said. “Besides myself, those people are Pat Campanaro (SBDC), Beth Kennedy (local business owner), and Tina Krauz (community volunteer in many areas, including Salvation Army and WTIP Radio).”

Two other volunteers, Jes Rodne (local resident) and Bev Green (director, Cook County Council on Aging) have also put in a large amount of volunteer hours, said Jeziah, with many other volunteers working on the day of the event.

If you need a ride and live within five miles of Grand Marais, contact Arrowhead Transit at 800- 862-0175, option 1; specify Grand Marais to dispatch between 3:45-6:45 p.m. on September 25.