Members of the community learned about resources for student success during a Community Link Up Wednesday in Meridian.

The Meridian Public School District hosted the first-ever event at City Hall, with the aim of bringing local agencies such as the Meridian Freedom Project and the United Way to a central location, said Deidre Bland, the district’s dropout prevention specialist.

Parents and school staff were invited to learn about resources available to young people, such as information on post-secondary education or mental health.  

“This is expanding their toolbox, so they will know where to go in our community to pull resources that will benefit our students and also strengthen our families,” Bland said.

Kim Houston, who represents Ward 4 on the Meridian City Council, said the event was a good opportunity for the district and the community to connect. Sometimes, members of the community might not know about local resources, she said.  

“I think often times we don’t know what is out there,” Houston said. “So to bring all the players under one roof, I think it’s going to change the dynamics in how we do things, as it relates to our youth and children in the community.” 

Demetrius Clay, a behavioral counselor at Magnolia Middle School and Hope Village, said he came to the event to learn about local programs that help children in need.

“Hopefully we can contact with one another, and whatever a child is going through, we can give them the best thing,” Clay said.

Looking ahead, Bland said she hopes the district will host similar events in the future.

“We would like to make this an annual event,” Bland said.