Waco, Texas PD is hosting a community opportunity event on May 11th

WACO, Texas – The Waco Police Department hosted its Community Opportunity Event on Saturday, May 11 at the Dewey Park Recreation Center, bringing together families from across the Waco community to provide youth and young adults with programs connect as summer approaches.

The event was a partnership between the Waco Police Department, Waco AHEC, Waco Family Medicine and the City of Waco Parks & Recreation.

Among the vendors present was The viable options in community efforts Organization, better known as AGREEthat educates participants about healthy activities and alternatives to drugs and alcohol.

“We can work with different members of the community,” said Claire Dechant, a prevention specialist at AGREE.

The organization offers activities such as Zumba classes and Thai Chi.

“We make it a great experience for the kids in the summer,” Dechant said.

The event also hosted The Cove – Heart of Texasan organization that assists individuals and families experiencing homelessness or housing instability.

“We had a few conversations today with people who know someone or someone in their family who has been through a situation of homelessness or housing instability themselves,” said Executive Director Tim Packer.

Packer said the event gave the organization an opportunity to let event-goers know “that there is someone out there who can help.”

The organization provides youth and young adults with wrap-around services, including access to hygiene products, tutoring and rental assistance.

“We work with a number of partners in the community and can help people get the help they need,” Packer said.

The Waco Police Department also held a raffle at the event for two students who received $4,000 in scholarships from the Southern Careers Institute. The names of the winners will be selected next month by the department’s Neighborhood Engagement Team.