Interfaith and Community Resource Network to host conference on overdoses, family homelessness and mental health needs

Ormond Beach Observer
Your Town

Professionals working locally to reduce overdose, combat family homelessness and meet mental health needs will offer hands-on advice for being involved in solutions for these issues during this spring's Interfaith and Community Resource Network Sharing Conference.

The conference will take place from 2-5 p.m. Sunday, April 14, at the Catholic Church of the Epiphany at 201 Lafayette St. in Port Orange.

The seasonal Sharing Conference is free, including refreshments. Open to all, it is geared toward helping service providers in and around Volusia County learn from one another and identify opportunities for collaboration. Interfaith and Community Resource Network leaders encourage houses of worship, nonprofit organizations and government agencies to send participants.

"We invite everyone to become more aware of the interrelated challenges we face, build relationships and develop unified responses," said Sue Odena, a member of Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Daytona Beach who founded the network in spring of 2022 with the help of Congregational Care Pastor Frank Johnston of First United Methodist Church in Ormond Beach.

Scheduled presentations for the spring conference are as follows:

Reducing Overdose through Community Approaches. A representative of the Florida Department of Health in Volusia County will discuss free training and programs available to reduce overdose by strengthening families.
Homelessness and Affordable Housing. A representative of Family Renew Community will focus on causes and responses for housing instability experienced by families with children.
Mental Health in Our Community. A representative of Presbyterian Counseling Center will offer an overview of local mental health needs and resources.

The conference will include information tables staffed by other organizations and ample opportunities for networking. Free vision and blood sugar screenings will be offered by local Lions Clubs. For more information, visit ICResourceNetwork.org or contact Odena at 407-760-2304 or [email protected].