News and Events
Tobacco Free Partnership of DeSoto County Attends Arcadia Housing Authority Open House
June 19, 2015
The Tobacco Free Partnership had the opportunity to have an information booth at the Arcadia Housing Authority’s Open House event on Friday June 19, 2015.
This was the first open house event held by the Arcadia Housing Authority since Hurricane Charley swept through the community 10 years ago leaving destruction in it’s wake.
The event helped to reach out to tenants of the subsidized housing program and provide them with information about education and services provided by organizations that continually partner with the Arcadia Housing Authority on a professional level. Free lunch, complete with a cupcake, was also provided to everyone who attended the event.
The Tobacco Free Partnership shared information on the risks of secondhand smoke, and the benefits of smoke-free living options.
One of the most popular booths was that of the Salvation Army; they handed out free toys to families with young children, letting the children choose their toy from the toy box. There were not that many vendors at this event, but Becky Sue Mercer, the Executive Director of the Arcadia Housing Authority, hopes that will change in the future. “There are a lot of good organizations in DeSoto with information that would benefit our tenants,” Becky said, “ Getting this information out to them and educating them [the tenants] about the services that are available to them is extremely important.”
Although, it was a hot day, the turnout was good with the word spreading throughout the neighborhood about the open house.
