Resources available for Glenn County

Samantha Hicks of Chico could not hold back the tears — not even with the hugs from her grandson around her waist.

"I could have never imagined my daughter needing rape counseling and other services," Hicks said.

Her daughter was attacked by a stranger several months ago. Her daughter lives in Glenn County, but did not want to reveal her name or where she lives.

"Who would do such a thing?" Hicks asked.

The two women and the 7-year-old boy were at the flea market at the Glenn County Fairgrounds and came over to see what was going on at one of the buildings.

What was going on was the fourth annual Glenn County Community Resource Fair, and the Rape Crisis organization was just one of a couple of dozen organizations and agencies on hand.

It is hosted by the Children's Interagency Coordinating Council, which also hosts the Child & Family Fair in the spring.

"We really try to show all the Glenn County resources, but we do partner with others like Rape Crisis," said Linda Ram of Orland, who was the coordinator of the event. "And we do have a lot of services, but every year people say they are surprised that there are so many services."

The group was hoping to attract 600 people to the event, 100 more than last year. They also hoped that by having it at the fairgrounds, that would help.

Dawn George has been a volunteer with the county adult literacy program since 1994.

She said the program helps some clients with the very basics of reading and writing, others with high school graduation and still others with improving their communication skills so they can get better jobs.

"I am currently working with a student right now ... and we started out with the alphabet and sounds of the letters," George said. "And to see him make so much improvement makes my day. It really is my passion."

The event featured a lot of services focused on the health and well being of their clients.

Mary Toms of Willows said she learned a lot about nutrition talking to several people at the fair.

"When I was raising my children, there really wasn't so much fuss about these things," said Toms. "They ate what we ate, me and my husband, and I guess that was not the right way."

Toms is not so sure the old way was a bad way, but she knows her son and his wife are a lot pickier about what they want her to feed their children.

"My son gives me a list of foods my grandchildren can eat when they are staying over," Toms said.

"I kinda laughed the first time, but I sure learned a lot today."

However, Toms said her grandchildren are still going to get her "world famous" sugar cookies.