What is a Community Resource Fair? + Some examples in Indy's South Side
- patchworkindy
- Oct 23
- 4 min read
Every once in a while, you may see a poster on your social media or at your local coffee shop inviting you to a "Community Resource Fair." But what does that mean, exactly?
In simple terms, they tend to be free events where people can meet local nonprofits or local government organizations that offer resources and services to everyday people.
You can often find organizations that help in areas such as:
Child care
healthcare
education
transportation
financial
legal
housing
and many more!
This past weekend, we hosted a community resource fair on the South Side of Indianapolis. Here are some of the organizations that showed up to meet with local community members last Saturday:
The Excel Center
The Excel Center is a free, public charter school that provides adults the opportunity to earn an Indiana Core 40 high school diploma, students earn industry-recognized certificates and/or college credits all at no cost.
Listen to Our Future Inc.
Listen to Our Future Inc., equips youth to make long-lasting changes in their communities through education, empowerment, and social action. They are dedicated to serving students of color in low-income areas who may not have access to high-quality educational opportunities.
Some of their programs include Afterschool Tutoring, Intervention Program, Project-Based Learning, and an Ambassador Program.
MDwise
MDwise is your local, Indiana-based nonprofit health care company. MDwise were founded in 1994 to help vulnerable populations needing health coverage in Indiana. Their parent organization, McLaren Health Care, is a nonprofit integrated health system who believes all Indiana families should have access to high quality health care regardless of income. Their mission is to provide high quality health care. MDwise only takes care of families in Indiana. MDwise works with the State of Indiana and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services to bring you the Hoosier Healthwise and Healthy Indiana Plan health insurance programs.
MDwise has a large network of doctors, specialists and hospitals throughout the State of Indiana. We can help you make wise choices about your health, the health of your family and choosing a medical home. MDwise takes pride in providing Indiana families with quality and affordable health coverage for the whole family.
Mirror Indy
Mirror Indy provides community-based journalism that informs and empowers Indianapolis residents to shape their city for the better. Mirror Indy is part of Free Press Indiana, a nonprofit news organization dedicated to ensuring all Hoosiers have access to the news and information they need.
Franciscan Health
A representative from Franciscan Health visited to share healthy dietary information and programs. Franciscan Health is a continuum of healthcare services in Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois.
Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority
In 2004, the Indiana General Assembly created the Central Indiana Regional Transportation Authority (CIRTA) to expand and improve mass transit in the region. A regional governmental organization, CIRTA works in 10 counties and is governed by a 17-member board of directors.
By enhancing transportation connectivity, CIRTA aims to benefit both residents and businesses across Central Indiana.
City of Indianapolis
One of the city's neighborhood advocates in the Southside, Delia, came by to meet with local community members. Mayor’s Neighborhood Advocates connect residents and business owners directly to city government and provide a communications link to the mayor’s office.
Connect with your neighborhood advocate at:
Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra
The Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra connects people with inspiring musical experiences that meet community needs. On top of the hundreds of concerts performed each year, the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra also offer a wide variety of programs that serve the community, reaching 60,000+ people per year.
Afghan American Community Center
The Afghan American Community Center is an Indianapolis nonprofit that celebrates Afghan culture and provides community for local Afghan ally and refugee families.
Office of the Attorney General
A representative of the Attorney General’s office came by to distribute information about unclaimed properties, including wages or commissions, savings and checking accounts, stock dividends, insurance proceeds, underlying shares, customer deposits or overpayments, certificates of deposit, credit balances, refunds, money orders, and safe deposit box contents.
The International District Community Center
The International District Community Center connects community members to local resources and programs that uplifts neighborhoods through positive change. The center provides afterschool activities, support locally-owned businesses, and a space for neighbors to share, celebrate, and experience different cultures.
Christel House DORS
Christel House Indianapolis includes one of the oldest tuition-free, public charter schools in Indiana, which opened in 2002. The network has grown to four campuses serving over 2,500 students from age five to over 65.
Christel House DORS helps adults 18 and older earn their Indiana Core 40 high school diploma for free with mornings, afternoon, and evening classes available.
We also have to give a huge shoutout to our hosts on the South Side:
The Philippines Cultural Community Center
The Philippines Cultural Community Center offers quality programming with a focus on a full spectrum of Asian American Filipino Arts, and on education and social services for all ages. The center's programs encourage participation, engagement, discovery, and learning.
Oftentimes, community resource fairs distribute clothes, diapers, health kits, and other essential items. Overall, resource fairs are not only a way to meet great organizations with public resources, but also an excellent place to meet others in your local community!
Upcoming Patchwork events....
MDwise, Success Center, and Patchwork are partnering to host a warm and welcoming Community Baby Shower for expecting moms and new parents or guardians with infants. The event offers essential supplies for babies and infants and a supportive space for moms to connect and celebrate.
Friday, November 21
12 - 2 PM
Success Center
10174 Tinton Court, Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46235
Bring your family to a day of music, free gifts for kids, photos with Santa, and community resources! Connect with organizations that provide health, child care, transportation, legal, and other essential resources and services.
Saturday, December 6
10 AM - 2 PM
International District Community Center
3540 Commercial Drive
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