Youth fair Sept. 16 to highlight more than 40 organizations in Aurora

As a new school year begins, participation in co-curricular and extracurricular community activities will help youth transition back to in-person learning and into a familiar sense of normalcy, while learning new things, meeting new friends, and having fun.

To provide parents and students a convenient opportunity to learn more about local youth programs, the City of Aurora is hosting the eighth Aurora Youth and Family Resource Fair on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 6-8 p.m. at the Prisco Community Center, 150 W. Illinois Ave.

During the fair, parents and children can visit booths of more than 40 community organizations, clubs and service providers to speak with organizers and obtain information about program participation.

There will also be a DJ, free tacos provided by Primos Tacos, and raffle prizes, including smart TVs, iPads, Nintendo Switch bundles, and more. The fair will also feature special performances by Simply Destinee, Ballet Folklorico, Paramount School of the Arts, 100 Girls Like Us, and young entertainer Zaylen Welton.

Masks are required for entry and participation. VNA Health Care will be on-site to provide free vaccines for adults and for students 12 years old and older, with permission from an accompanying parent.

Participating organizations include: 100 Girls Like Us, Accion Latina Sports Center, African American Men of Unity, Alive Aurora, A-Town Boxing, At-Risk Mentoring, Aunt Martha's, Aurora Fire Department, Aurora Interfaith Food Pantry, Aurora Lions Club, Aurora Regional Fire Museum, Aurora Police Department, Aurora Public Library, Aurora Youth Court, APS Training Academy; Ballet Folklorico Quetzalcoatl, Baseball Club of Aurora, BCS Illinois, Calvary Church Youth Department, Central States SER, Cities in Schools, ComEd Community Programs, Family Focus, Family Service Association, Fox Valley Park District, Fox Valley United Way, Fox Valley Special Recreation Association, Girls Run the World, Lite Leaders, Marie Wilkinson Food Pantry; Northern Illinois Food Bank, Paramount School of the Arts, Quad County Urban League, Rounded Cube, Samuel Place, Simply Destinee, Talented Tenth Social Services, Tomcat Wrestling Club, and the Waubonsee Community College Latinx Resource Center.

The Youth and Family Resource Fair is free and open to the public.