PACS Community Resources Fair

Welcome to the website for the 4th Annual Community Resource Fair 2008 hosted by PACS, Peace Arch Community Services and the Canadian Mental Health Association. This event formed a partnership between healthcare, social service and individuals in White Rock and Surrey.

This years fair was built on the previous fairs hosted in 2005, 2006, and 2007. We had upwards of 470 people attend the fair in 2007, with 42 exhibitors. Our attendees consisted of families, children, youth, adults and seniors. This year the Canadian Mental Health Association was on location offering their depression screenings http://www.heretohelp.bc.ca/screening/lowermainland08

Surveys completed by attendees at the fair indicated that 92% left the fair with increased knowledge of services available to them. See out TESTIMONIALS section for their comments.

Exhibitors’ comments were equally enthusiastic in expressing their views that the fair is an excellent networking experience and that they made contacts with residents of White Rock and Surrey indicating they would utilize their services. They also expressed interest in participating in the fair annually for many years to come

The advisory committee meets after every fair to identify key areas in which to improve the following year’s fair, based on their own experience at the fair combined with input and surveys taken from exhibitors and attendees.

Attendees at the fair include children, youth, adults, families and seniors in White Rock/Surrey and addresses:

a)      the need for a format in which healthcare and social service providers can share information regarding existing services, changes to and cancellations of services, and new services

b)      the lack of awareness in the community regarding services

c)      community members’ lack of knowledge on how to access these services

d)   opportunity for these services and programs to educate the public as to what is out there for them

The need for increased awareness of services is strongly supported by the number of calls received on PACS’ Information & Referral HELPLine.

Since October 2003,  our information and referral department has received 6,484 requests from individuals, parents, seniors, youth, social workers, physicians, nurses, counsellors and teachers seeking information on healthcare and social services.

It is apparent that the fair is something that is valued and enjoyed by the community in which it holds its annual event

For more information on PACS, Peace Arch Community Services please click this link http://www.pacsbc.com/about.php