New Bartlett outreach program to help community members in need

The Village Church of Bartlett and Bartlett Police Department have announced their partnership on a new outreach program called the Bartlett Community Care Initiative to increase awareness, care and support for community members in need.

The types of needs BCCI aims to provide help with include, but are not confined to, addiction recovery, mental illness treatment and family-related or financial struggles.

The new outreach program is looking for volunteers as well as sponsors for its kickoff event at 4 p.m. Sunday, June 23, at the church, 601 W. Bartlett Road. This free, fun and family-friendly event will include food, games, a DJ playing music and bounce houses and other activities for children.

Church officials addressed the need for the new program and its goals in a written statement.

"Being able to serve people when they're feeling most alone or most vulnerable is one of the things we're passionate about as a church," said Director of Local Outreach AJ Loredo. "We feel the BCCI is a real, tangible way we can make an impact on a personal level in our community and help our police department continue to serve with care."

Counselor Breanne Fuelling addressed the need for the program.

"Many people don't have access to resources or support at the level they should, either due to financial constraints or lack of understanding about what's available. BCCI is here to change that, making mental health treatment, addiction recovery support, and other supportive resources more readily available right here in our neighborhood."