Family resource fair Saturday

This Saturday, March 14, the Custer Elementary School gym will transform into a “one-stop shop” for local parents and caregivers. Early Learner Custer invites the community to the third Annual Southern Hills Family Resource Fair, running from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
This free community event is specifically designed for families with children ages 0–8. It aims to bridge the gap between Southern Hills families and the essential services that help children thrive, from prenatal development through the early elementary years.
A major highlight of this year’s fair is the official release of the Custer Family Resource Handbook. This curated directory serves as a roadmap for local families, featuring comprehensive listings for healthcare providers, educational programs, childcare options and community support systems.
“Raising a child takes a village, and in Custer, that village is strong,” says Nora Smolnisky, Early Learner Custer representative. “This handbook is a ‘living resource’ created to empower our parents. We want every family to walk away from the fair not just with memories, but with a guide to the support available right here in our county.”
With over 40 interactive booths, the fair offers much more than a traditional trade show. Families can enjoy:
• Hands-on Activities: Bouncy houses, a Strider bike course, and a “Touch-a-Truck” experience featuring the Custer Volunteer Fire Department, ambulance service and county sheriff.
• Summer Planning: A single window to sign up for summer camps, preschool and youth programs.
• Expert Connections: Face-to-face time with specialists from Monument Health, Custer School District therapy department, and Birth to Three.
• Educational Exploration: Engaging exhibits from The Mammoth Site, Jewel Cave National Monument and Custer State Park.
Participating organizations include Black Hills Parks & Forests, Girl Scouts Dakota Horizons, Growing Roots Preschool, Custer YMCA, United Way of the Black Hills, Rising Hope Counseling, First Interstate Bank, Custer County Library, Youth and Family Services, R.I.S.E., and many more.