People in Need Forum Saturday at MCC

Whether you’re a schoolteacher worried about a student’s family situation, a county board member whose constituents are struggling to pay rent, or just someone who needs help, the annual “People in Need Forum” at McHenry County College can provide valuable information for just about anyone, organizers say.The free forum, taking place from 8 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the conference center at the school, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake, will feature 45 exhibitors including social services organizations, mental health agencies, health care providers, and many more. Information will be available at exhibit booths, plus 14 breakout sessions and round-table discussions, said Bev Thomas, forum chairman and coordinator for MCC#146;s Center for Non-Profit Leadership, which sponsors the forum.Among the topics will be food stamps, suicide awareness, housing issues, money management, domestic violence and disaster preparedness.This year#146;s keynote speaker is motivational speaker Jeff Gee. #147;He#146;s terrific, he#146;s very inspiring. He#146;s going to speak on collaboration and the importance of people reaching out to others,#148; Thomas said.The forum has grown from attracting about 50 people in 2003 to more than 425 last year, Thomas said. #147;We live in a terrific community where people do volunteer work one way or the other,#148; she said. #147;But there#146;s many more people who need help than people who are supplying help.#148;Veterans issues will be among Saturday#146;s main topics, Thomas said. #147;The People in Need Forum would like to draw attention to the soldiers coming home to a poor job market, a bad housing market and a lack of opportunities. We want to draw attention to their needs, because we owe them a debt,#148; she said.Attendees will get a copy of the #147;People in Need#148; directory, available both in printed format and USB flash drive thanks to a donation from the McHenry County Community Foundation, she added.A steering committee of about 20 people has worked since July to organize the forum, which received donations from various groups, Thomas said.#147;It is amazing to see all of these people together,#148; she said. #147; It really kind of takes your breath away the number of caring people we have in this community. And the other side of that are the people who are desperate for help. It#146;s really the idea that every single person can make a difference.#148;