Atlantic City has a lot of people trying to help.
Shalanda Austin wondered what would happen if you brought them all together.
“If we have one shot to empower an entire family, what would it look like?” asked Austin, of In My CARE Mentoring Program.
The answer was Atlantic City’s Family Conference, which promises to be the first of an annual event.
The conference will run from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday at the All Wars Memorial Building — also known as the Old Soldiers Home.
The three floors will each have a different role.
The first floor will have resources for family heads, parents and guardians.
Patricia Tweedle and Maria Hadley in charge of that floor, with offerings including housing plans, hospitals, utilities and even help on fixing credit.
The second floor will focus on girls, with Tamika Young, Joycelyn Parker and Yvonne Sutton putting things together.
The third floor will be for boys, with Omar McDaniel and Ruben Stewart.
Austin said the involvement was overwhelming.
“People jumped on to see, ‘What can I do?’ It was just awesome,” she said. “There were just so many organizations that wanted to be part of it.
”Several people from the community have also volunteered their time to help.There will even be representatives from the court system, judges and speakers.
Natalie Devonish, dean of Atlantic Cape Community College's Atlantic City campus, will be there along with Atlantic City Housing Authority Director Tom Hannon and Pastor Mark-Anthony Rassmann of Levi Construction.
City kids who come to the event with their families will get dress down passes for school.
The event is free, but families are encouraged to register before the event.
Registration will also be taken from 8 to 9:50 the morning of the conference.
People can register online by CLICKING HERE. For more information, email acfamilyconference@gmail.comor call 609-289-3964.
