“Whoa! Look at how many games they have!” exclaimed one young boy to his brother as they filed into the Elias Community Center, a 4,000 sq. ft. building dedicated to community engagement in August 2022. Huge smiles spread across their faces as they saw the table piled high with colorful game pieces.
“Balloon animals, face painting, a jumper! This place just keeps getting more and more awesome,” the boys continued, eyes wide with excitement. While the kid - friendly, fun activities certainly drew the attention of our younger guests, the more practical resources were a hit with their parents and guardians.
On Sunday, July 9 from 10 am to 1 pm, Azure Hills Church hosted a Community Resource Fair for the purpose of assisting local families with children preparing for the upcoming school year. Approximately 120 local families attended, showing interest in receiving physical resources such as backpacks with school supplies, calendars, diapers, and school clothes. Much appreciated services provided included dental cleanings, pediatrician check-ups, haircuts - followed by a back-to-school portrait session to document the new haircut - and even massages for the grown-ups.
Elder Laia B. Amaya, Community Engagement Director at Azure Hills Church says, “Our church is committed to building trust with our neighbors. We continue to strive to be a church that is safe, supportive, and involved - one that connects people to the heart of Jesus. Whether you are a community leader, a pastor, or a volunteer, you can join the mission to be a voice of hope in your own neighborhood - a voice that listens well to those around you.”
Several volunteers wearing yellow shirts emblazoned with the willing phrase “How can I help?” also served behind the scenes in the weeks leading up to this event by engaging in a community engagement training to best understand the needs of our neighborhood. More than 40 adult volunteers and their families showed up to help the day of the event, joining with multiple community partners and vendors to set up booths, distribute supplies, play games, manage refreshments, take down equipment, and connect people with resources.
The vendors and community partners for the event were: GeriSmiles Dental, The Treatment Centre, Morgan Green MD, Aaron Amaya - licensed barber, Genesis Hair Salon & Beauty Supply, Family and Kids Foundation - backpacks and school supplies, Joseph Amaya - portraits, Julie’s Party Rental, Catering by Gigi, Charm and Happy, and The Dwell Co.
The remaining backpacks and school supplies from the event were donated to local students. Azure Hills Church also donated clothing and supplies to an organization in Tijuana, Baja Mexico, with whom they partner with.