Turpin Hill Resource Fair bringing essential resources to the community

AUGUSTA, Ga (WJBF) – It was a great day to help people in the local community. The Turpin Hill Resource Fair took place at the Carrie J. Mays Community Center.

The Turpin Hill resource fair’s main goal is to help connect the community to different resources and educate the community about the possibilities of having lead-based paint in their homes.

The Greater Initiative for Community Housing Greater Augusta was one of the event’s sponsors.

“This is our first community resource fair,” said Porsha C. Beasley, Team Speaker, GIC Housing Team. We’ll have other events later on over the course of three years, but our primary focus is really just planning and developing a sustainable redevelopment program for the area. So, we have to find out what the community needs.”

They were there to listen to the people in the community about what they would like to see for the area’s future and to help bring the resources they need.

“This event that they got going on is very nice for the community. To all come together so that we can have a better place to stay,” said Sophia Oakes, an attendee.

District 2 Commissioner Stacy Pulliam hopes the resource fair will occur every year.

“There have not been many things here, at the Carrie J. Mays center of this magnitude, and my community, this community, we need resources,” said Stacy Pulliam, Augusta Commissioner District 2. “And so, the fact that so many people came out to share those resources to help make life better.”

Vendors at the fair included Georgia Power, Truist, and Augusta 311. There were also areas where children in the community could find a place.

“Coming to the places that are familiar to them, it shows them there’s more outside of their community and to also get out there and get your name out there and when you come to the places that are familiar to them,” said MaKenzie Watson, Boys, and Girls Club. “Where they’re comfortable, it shows them that there are fun and good opportunities for them where they stay.”

Attendees say they were happy to have these resources brought to their community.

“It’s good to have these events so they can learn how to progress in, you know, in these days. Especially for my generation. You know we’re trying to figure out life,” said Railana, an attendee.

The community center was packed with residents happy to have these resources so close to home.

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