In 2004, the City of Fontana recognized that while there were organizations with valuable resources available to citizens, a central referral agency was needed to help get the word out and introduce residents to nonprofit groups. By making such a program available, citizens would be able to find the programs that fill a variety of needs such as helping seniors, providing emergency healthcare, or even educational training for child development. In response, the city of Fontana partnered with the Water of Life Church to create the Community Assistance Program (CAP).

Over the years, while the program has become quite successful as a community educator and a resource for emergency relief, CAP is most widely recognized for its successful annual Resource Fair. The event, now in its' fourth year, gives Fontana residents an opportunity to meet with the organizations that can best help residents. From the very beginning, the Resource Fair has been a success.

According to Linda Burton, the program director, "The Resource Fair grows each year. Organizations like it because they get to network with each other. Residents like it because they are able to find the resources they may need at that particular moment. From senior services for elderly parents, to dental care for kids, the programs offer a wide range of services for any resident."

Organizers are currently considering changing the date next year to a Saturday which will give citizens a chance to visit on the weekend when they may have more time to visit with service providers.

This year, CAP will hold the Resource Fair on Thursday September 13, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Paul Biane Sports Pavilion in Jack Bulik Park located at 16581 Filbert Street between Juniper and Cypress Avenues. The list of participants is long and the needs are varied, so organizers plan to be busy in the days and weeks leading up to and after the event.

This year, many of the nonprofits are from the greater San Bernardino area to include Blindness Support Services from Riverside, Children's Network from San Bernardino, and Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PAI) from Los Angeles. There are plenty of Fontana organizations, too. The listing consists of several Fontana groups such as Old Timers Foundation, the Department of Aging and Adult Services, the Fontana Police Department and many more.

Mary Stewart with the City of Fontana Police Department notes, "The CAP Resource Fair is an excellent opportunity for residents to get acquainted with agencies throughout San Bernardino County and learn about the many low-cost or no-cost services they offer. This is also a great networking event for the participating agencies."

Service providers who would like to meet with residents and are interested in participating may sign up by downloading the registration form online at www.fontanacap.org. Event posters are also available for downloading. The posters may be placed in store windows to help get the word out to the public about the dates and location of the event.

To find out more about the 2007 Resource Fair on September 13, 2007 from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at the Paul Biane Sports Pavilion (16581 Filbert Street), please contact Linda Burton at Water of Life Church at (909) 463-0103 or email info@fontanacap.org. To learn about the CAP program and educational opportunities, please visit the website at www.fontanacap.org.