In these bleak economic times, it may often seem like there is nowhere to turn, but community organizations are coming together to show residents the services available to them in their time of need.

The United Way of Selma and Dallas County will host Community Resource Day Thursday, June 7 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Carl C. Morgan Convention Center.

Jeff Cothran, executive director of the United Way of Selma and Dallas County, said everyone is invited to the event, which will have 25 organizations on hand to showcase the services and inform others on what they are all about.

“We decided months ago to organize a community resource day as a way of highlighting to the community the services that are available to them,” Cothran said. “We currently have about 25 organizations registered to be there just to inform the public about what they do and what services are available.”

Cothran added important services that will provide information about food and health will be there to talk to the community.

“We will have services with the Department of Public Health, and DHR (Department of Human Resources) will be there, but also HealthLink program people will be there and many, many others,” Cothran said. “So, services available to the public will be like free prescription drugs, free medical care, immunization, sheltering, feeding. All of these organizations will be there to describe to the public what their services are and how folks can go about getting these services.”

Cothran said it’s important to get information out to the community because many don’t know what’s out there for them, and it could ease some of the suffering that many face.

“A lot of people just don’t know, and they don’t know what services are available, or where to go to get them,” Cothran said. “We’ve had — in many, many cases — people who just suffer for lack of knowledge. We’re just trying to let the people know that there are a great many services available to them here in Dallas County. There are a lot programs that are out there to help folks over the hump in these difficult financial times. It’s not as bleak as it seems.”

Other organizations attending the resource day include 211, Smart Start, Doc in a Bus, YMCA, West Central Alabama Rehabilitation Center, Cahaba Center for Mental Health, Red Cross, Sorrell Dental Clinic, Selma Fire Department, Dallas County Emergency Management Agency and the Selma-Dallas County Chamber of Commerce.

“We just really want to encourage people to come out so they can see what’s going on,” Cothran said. “This is just a small part of the services that are available. I think this will be a good event for the community to come and get an idea. It’s also going to be a great chance for these organizations to network together with each other.”