Steps 4 Life Community Service will Host First Annual Health & Public Safety Fair

Steps 4 Life Community Services will be hosting its first annual Community Health & Public Safety Fair on Oct. 10 at Sylvan Park in Redlands. The goal of the event is to increase access to free health and public safety resources for individuals and their families who are affected by substance abuse, mental health issues, homelessness and domestic violence. Over 300 people are expected to attend this event, which will include booths with representatives from various volunteer health organizations, social service agencies, local healthy living businesses, community-based and faith-based agencies from the communities of Redlands, Highland, San Bernardino, Loma Linda and Yucaipa. On site free health screenings will be available as well as information and give-aways to encourage self-care, personal safety and healthy families. The Mayor of Redlands, Paul Foster, has been invited to stop by and share a few words of encouragement. In addition to providing health and public safety information, fun activities for the kids are planned such as face painting and a jumper. The first 50 people attending the event will be provided with free lunch. There will be a DJ, music and raffle prizes in a family friendly park atmosphere at Sylvan Park, across the street from the University of Redlands. “We are excited to be hosting this community event,” remarked Cynthia McGuigan, Executive Director of Steps 4 Life Community Services. “We welcome other nonprofit agencies, public health and social service agencies that provide programs and services to individuals and families that struggle with homelessness, domestic violence, substance abuse and mental health issues to join us at the event either as a vendor or to bring their clients to receive information and free health screenings.” Clinicians and psychologists have linked three major health issues that are commonly present among many of the homeless: mental health, substance abuse and domestic violence. Prevention and intervention strategies require the coordination of multiple agencies and care providers to ensure effective treatment and recovery. On Oct. 10, these agencies and care providers will all be assembled in one place with information on how to access services.