‘A gift from the heavens’: Buffalo Grove hosts community and wellness fair

Many tents were spread out Sunday in Buffalo Grove’s Mike Rylko Community Park, but they were all part of one big tent offering a broad spectrum of community services.

The Buffalo Grove Community Foundation’s first Community Services and Wellness Fair provided a one-stop shop for people seeking help in areas ranging from mental health and developmental disabilities to domestic violence prevention.

Vitalant also held a blood drive at which 10 units of blood were collected, its representatives said.

The event offered a chance for nonprofit groups like the Lincolnshire Autism Awareness Project to showcase its mission to the public.

The student-led LAAP’s advocacy work, in collaboration with state Sen. Darby Hills, led to the passage last year of Senate Resolution 31, which encourages elementary schools promote disability advocacy and teach about inclusivity.

Stevenson sophomore Saranya Krishnan, 15, said one of the motivating factors for her involvement in the group was hearing unkind comments made at her school.

“It just breaks my heart,” she said. “So I want to really promote awareness and inclusivity.”

Another group with a table was the Northbrook-based Hunger Resource Network, which brings protein to food pantries, shelters and soup kitchens.

“I think it’s a gift from the heavens,” network volunteer Julie Yusim said of the wellness fair. “It’s just a huge benefit to us as an organization to increase exposure.”

Youth volunteers were well represented through organizations such as the Dream. Build. Grow. entrepreneurship program, founded by Stevenson High School junior Saachi Churiwala. The 16-year-old said the group provides opportunities for special needs students to to work with high school student mentors to build entrepreneurial skills.

A Safe Place, which offers prevention education in human trafficking and domestic violence, was providing information about its resources.

Mike Skibbe, executive director of the Buffalo Grove Community Foundation, said about 33 nonprofits and community groups were on hand.

“For a first time, this is amazing,” said Buffalo Grove Trustee David Weidenfeld, who chairs the community foundation, noting that the attendance was boosted by the event’s proximity to the weekly Buffalo Grove Farmers Market.

szalusky@dailyherald.com