Approximately 80 people attended the Community Resource Fair in Delano, hosted by Loud for Tomorrow on Saturday afternoon.
The event welcomed youth, parents, individuals, and families to come together as a community and enjoy an afternoon filled with free resources, including immigration support, justice-impacted services, LGBTQIA+ support, harm reduction, youth suicide prevention, education support, pride education, plant medicine, and sex education.
Viviana Camacho, the Integrated Voter Engagement Program Organizer at Loud for Tomorrow, helps co-lead campaigns for the organization. Last year, Camacho and the Loud team focused on mutual aid during election season, advocating to vote “no” on Proposition 36 and “yes” on Proposition 5.
Camacho and other Loud for Tomorrow staff brought the vision for the Community Resource Fair to life through active community outreach. Their efforts included phone banking, canvassing, flyer distribution, and personal conversations with community members.
The free event marked the first of its kind hosted by Loud for Tomorrow—and it won’t be the last. Organizers aimed to create a welcoming space where attendees could relax and learn about local resources and organizations.
“We wanted to give back to the community. All of our resources here are free,” said Camacho. “We wanted to create a space where people of all ages can come together, especially during times like this. We need a space where people can enjoy food, activities, have fun, and simply experience joy.”
Camacho emphasized the importance of community, pointing out that many people are struggling and need supportive spaces like this one. She also reflected on Care Camp, an event hosted the previous week, sharing that it received positive feedback. Young attendees were able to access a safe space and tools to learn about pride and political education.
Kriza G., a Central Valley native, provided plant medicine bundles and herbal teas to attendees. She focuses on creating plant-based medicines specifically for the Central Valley, hoping to reintroduce herbal practices to the local community.
Ryles, an organizer with Loud for Tomorrow since 2018, has actively promoted community engagement for years. She shared that the event held special meaning for Delano, a rural town where community connections can sometimes feel limited.
“We know that people, especially today, are overworked and don’t often get a break or time to care for themselves, which is why we have this event,” said Ryles. “It’s a reminder that we have community. People aren’t alone in their struggles. We’re all here for one another, even when it doesn’t feel like it.”
Board member Lizeth Calderon hosted a pride education table, sharing zines and artwork that celebrated queer and trans identities. Calderon said her goal was to provide valuable resources to the Central Valley’s LGBTQIA+ community.
“We’re a little disconnected from the nearest support spaces,” said Calderon. “So my hope is to connect folks with digital platforms where they can find information about their rights—not only as queer and trans individuals, but also as undocumented immigrants.”