Centre Joins Community Service Providers at LiveGRAND Event
On June 19, 2024, Centre participated in the LiveGRAND: Health and Wellness Expo event at Town Square in downtown Grand Forks hosted by Grand Forks Housing Authority. Program Directors Kelly Vigness and Leland Higginbotham set up a booth sharing Centre’s mission and services available to those struggling with mental health, substance abuse, and involvement in the criminal justice system.
LiveGRAND aimed to assist those with low, no, and fixed income households. Gift bags and meals were provided to those in attendance, and community organizations hosted booths with information about their organization and the services they provide. Many vendors handed out various items with company logos such as water bottles, pens, bags, chip clips, balls, candy, etc.
Program Directors Kelly Vigness and Leland Higginbotham at Centre’s booth at the LiveGRAND event in downtown Grand Forks on June 19, 2024.
There were 56 total vendors in attendance, and 207 adults and 39 children were provided information on local support services. Vendors were chosen appropriately and represented a variety of services under a similar umbrella of services. LiveGRAND effectively portrayed a community approach to promote successful, positive outcomes for individuals served.
Ten residents in Centre’s Grand Forks treatment unit participated in the event. The consensus was that the LiveGRAND event was a positive experience. One resident commented that the event was “positive with a capital ‘P.’” This resident went on to say, “The stigma that so many of us have in relation to our mental health was magically and suddenly lifted once I registered. That the entire expo/fair was there for me!”
The Centre residents who participated said that LiveGRAND “without a doubt” supported their recovery.
Kelly Vigness
Program Director
Grand Forks