Submissions sought for free community resource guide, due Sept 14

submitted by Shasta Angell, Community Relations Coordinator, Western-Washtenaw Area Value Express (WAVE)

The Manchester Wellness Coalition, part of the 5 Healthy Towns initiative, is compiling a printed Community Resource Directory to make it easier for residents to find help, stay healthy, and get involved locally. The guide will be free to the community and developed by the Coalition’s Access to Resources Committee.

The directory will spotlight a wide range of local resources, including:

• Food access: pantries, community meals, produce programs
• Health and mental health: clinics, counseling, recovery supports
• Community organizations: clubs, schools, faith communities, civic groups, youth programs, senior services, recreation and fitness, arts and culture, libraries, and more

In addition to services and programs, the guide will feature a year-round calendar of annual events—for example, community traditions like the Chicken Broil (July) and the community fair (August). If your group hosts an event every year, the Coalition would love to add it.

Organizations, programs, and event hosts are invited to submit entries by Saturday, September 14.

For organizations/programs, please include:

• Organization/program name
• 50–75 word description of services
• Website and/or social media
• Public contact info (phone and/or email)
• Location and service area
• Any helpful notes (eligibility, cost, languages, accessibility, hours)

For annual events, please include:

• Event name
• 1–2 sentence description
• The month it is held each year
• Optional: host organization and website/social link

Email your entry directly to Shasta Angell at sangell@wavebus.org and Carol Wotring at carol.wotring@manchestercrc.org.

At a recent Coalition meeting, a draft design for the printed directory was previewed, underscoring the community’s shared goal: clear, local information in one place. Once finalized, the guide will be printed and made available at no cost to residents.

For questions or if you’re unsure which category your listing fits, please reach out to sangell@wavebus.org and carol.wotring@manchestercrc.org.

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by Sara Swanson

Sara Swanson is an editor, writer and a founder of the Manchester Mirror.