Brant Cares event connects residents with community supports

County of Brant Mayor David Bailey joins Shakokwenios Joseph Martin, who is Mohawk and Ojibwe with family ties to both Six Nations of the Grand River and the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, during the inaugural Brant Cares Community Connection Day at Lions Park in Paris on July 25. The event brought together residents and community organizations to showcase local programs, services and supports available throughout the County.

Paris Independent Staff

More than 20 community organizations came together at Lions Park on July 25 for the inaugural Brant Cares Community Connection Day, an event designed to help residents discover the wide range of services, programs and opportunities available throughout the County of Brant.

Hosted through the County of Brant's Brant Cares initiative, the free event encouraged residents to connect directly with local organizations while enjoying a day of family-friendly entertainment, food and activities.

Community Connection Day showcased organizations offering support in areas including housing, employment, mental health, accessibility, legal services, childcare, emergency services, community inclusion and newcomer assistance. Visitors had the opportunity to speak one-on-one with representatives, ask questions and learn about programs available to residents of all ages.

Brant Cares serves as the county's centralized information hub, connecting residents with local services such as immigration support, employment and housing resources, childcare information, transit services and other community programs.

Alongside the information booths, the event featured live entertainment from local performers throughout the day, including Harrison McRae, Lisa Costa, Darren Jones and Rodel Ramos, Chinyi C and J.E. Lopez, The Shrubberies, Macmillan Hunter and Sabrina Reid-Smith. Families also enjoyed face painting, a balloon artist, food vendors, the Lions Club of Paris food trailer and a free public swim.

Among the organizations participating were Brant-Brantford Paramedic Services, Brant OPP, the County of Brant Fire Department, County of Brant Public Library, CMHA Brant Haldimand Norfolk, Nova Vita Domestic Violence Prevention, Sensity: Deafblind and Sensory Support Network of Canada, Willowbridge Community Services, Woodview Mental Health and Autism Services, SOAR Community Services, Contact Brant, the Community Legal Clinic Brant Haldimand Norfolk, Positive Health Network, Brant 4-H Association, Girl Guides, The Bridge and Brant Pride, The Equity and Advocacy Social Justice Foundation, WorQshop, Darmont GivesBack, Big Cityyy Arts and Brant Art Matters, Glen Morris United Church, the Ministry of Transportation, Mayor David Bailey, MP Dan Muys and the Lions Club of Paris.

The event highlighted the strength of collaboration among local agencies and organizations while providing residents with an accessible way to discover the many services available across the county. Organizers hope Community Connection Day will continue to strengthen awareness of community supports while fostering connections between residents and the organizations that serve them.