Looking for help? Find it Tuesday

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If you’re having difficulty in your day-to-day life – from making ends meet to being in an abusive relationship – an event in Alexandria next week will offer some help.

Project Community Connect is designed to help local people who are struggling with a wide range of problems find solutions.

It will take place at the old Thrifty White location in the Viking Plaza Mall on Tuesday, August 26 from noon to 8 p.m.

Organizers with the local United Way Community Impact Coalition describe the event as a “one-stop shop” to connect residents and families with qualifying services, including housing, employment, medical care, mental health care, chemical dependency care, benefits and legal assistance, transportation help, daycare information, school supplies and food.

Here are just a few of the scenarios that Project Community Connect expects to address:

• Does the thought of filing your annual taxes make you sick? How about some free help? Stop by West Central Minnesota Communities Action booth for more information.

• Do you have children who are 5 years old or younger? Do you like to read to them? Would you like them to receive a free book a month until they turn 5? Stop by the United Way booth and sign up.

• Are you homeless or at risk of becoming homeless? Stop by the Housing and Redevelopment Authority booth and learn about rental assistance programs for people who are experiencing homelessness.

• Did your spouse or significant other recently lose their job and you’re having a tough time making ends meet? Stop by the Rural Minnesota CEP booth and learn more.

• On the path to foreclosure? Did you know you have rights as the homeowner? Stop by the Legal Services of Northwest Minnesota booth to learn more.

• Need child care but unsure where to turn to find quality, affordable daycare? Stop by the Child Care Resource and Referral booth for more information.

• Worried about winter heating bills? Wondering how you will afford the increased prices when you barely made it last year? Stop by the West Central Minnesota Communities Action booth to see about energy assistance.

• Unable to read and write? Have you kept this secret all your life? Stop by the Alexandria Literacy Project booth to learn more.

• Are you in an abusive relationship? Feel you have nowhere to turn? Stop by Someplace Safe’s booth and speak with a representative.

• Can’t afford the increased cost of medical insurance, so your children have not had a check-up in the last two or three years? Stop by the Douglas County Public Health booth to learn more.

If you’d like to know more about the work being done locally by the Community Impact Coalition, contact Jessica Boyer, United Way community impact director, at (320) 763-4840.

Tags: project, community, connect, alexandria