This year the Scott County Extension Agent for Family and Consumer Sciences collaborated with several community partners to host a Senior Resource Fair in Scott County. This fair demonstrated how collaboration can positively impact a community. Recognizing the need for improved access to services for older adults, the FCS agent brought together a wide network of local partners to host a one-stop event designed to connect seniors with the support they need. This collaborative event united over 15 organizations, including Georgetown-Scott County Parks and Recreation, the Senior Citizens Center, Bluegrass Community Action Partnership, UK Healthcare, the Scott County Health Department, the Public Library, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, and various nonprofits, churches, and volunteers.

The event provided seniors with direct access to healthcare guidance, financial aid programs, legal support, transportation services, and wellness education; all in a single location. Thanks to the shared efforts of these community partners, seniors received personalized assistance through one-on-one consultations, health screenings, and informational sessions. Surveys taken at the event showed that 85% of attendees felt more confident in accessing resources, and many discovered programs they hadn’t known existed. As a result, the community partners reported that participation in local senior support programs rose during the initial months following the fair.

Beyond the benefits to attendees, the fair also strengthened connections between service providers themselves. The event encouraged collaboration across sectors, leading to new partnerships such as healthcare providers teaming up with transportation services and financial groups coordinating with senior advocates to offer budgeting workshops. These relationships are expected to lead to more efficient referral systems and expanded services for older adults in the future.

In all, this initiative was not only logistically successful but also deeply meaningful in its long-term impact. With overwhelmingly positive feedback and clear community need, plans are underway to make the Senior Resource Fair an annual event that partners would like to expand upon. The partnerships established through this effort showcase how coordinated community action can remove barriers, promote wellness, and empower seniors to live more connected, informed, and secure lives.