WACO, Texas — The Waco Police Department held their "Community Opportunity Event" on Saturday, May 11 at the Dewey Park Recreation Center, drawing families from around the Waco community in an effort to connect youths and young adults with programs as summer approaches.
The event was a partnership between the Waco Police Department, Waco AHEC, Waco Family Medicine, and the City of Waco Parks & Recreation.
Among the vendors present was The Viable Options in Community Endeavors organization, better known as VOICE, which educates participants on healthy activities and alternatives to drugs and alcohol.
"We get to collaborate with different members of the community," said Claire Dechant, a prevention specialist with VOICE.
The organization will be offering activities such as Zumba classes and Thai Chi.
"We make it a great experience for the kids over the summer," Dechant said.
The event also hosted The Cove - Heart of Texas, an organization that assists with individuals and families facing homelessness or housing instability.
"We've had a few conversations today with people who know somebody, or somebody in their family have been through a situation of homelessness or housing instability themselves," said Executive Director Tim Packer.
Packer said the event gave the organization the opportunity to inform eventgoers "that there's somebody out there to help."
The organization provides youths and young adults with wraparound services including access to hygiene items, educational tutoring and rent assistance.
"We work with a number of partners in the community and we can help people get to the help they need," Packer said.
The Waco Police Department also took raffles for two students to receive $4,000 scholarships from the Southern Careers Institute at the event. Winning names will be selected by the department's Neighborhood Engagement Team next month.
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