The Clyburn Center for Primary Care is already a resource-driven facility. But Saturday, the building named after S.C. Rep. Bill Clyburn, D-Aiken, brought in additional resources, vendors and patrons for its Aiken Cares Community Awareness and Resources Expo.
Co-hosted by the City of Aiken, the expo brought job, recreational and health vendors to a central location where residents such as Verale Allen could access to those resources.
"I got some good information on how to properly fix up your home, about diabetes and a bunch of other things," Allen said.
Sgt. Jennifer Bickel, with Aiken Public Safety, said the concept was to have a variety of different vendors so the community would better understand the opportunities available to them.
More than a dozen vendors were spread out through the large facility so residents could better interact with them, Bickel said.
"We have different classes and presentations going on," she added. "It's a good way to get the community involved with these opportunities and for the vendors to share knowledge with residents.
Vendors included South Carolina Legal Services, Security Federal, S.C. Consumer Affairs, Red Cross and Aiken Family in Transitions.
Another vendor, Goodwill Job Connection was also on site and facilitator Orion Jeter said the company is always willing to get their resources out the community.
He added that the most key element to finding and securing a job is proper training.
"I think that training is the main key to help people make that transition to a good job," Jeter said. "People want to work, so they just need that extra help to be prepared for the workforce."
But it wasn't just about jobs at Saturday's event. Outside, First Tee of Aiken was giving out information on how parents can get their kids involved in the sport of golf.
Coaches Mickey Joslin, Lexie Milford and Josh Poissant.
Milford said the company was approached by a friend on attending and providing awareness of what they do.
"We're hoping to make some connections, get some kids involved in golf and be another resource for community," Milford said.
Derrek Asberry is the SRS beat reporter with the Aiken Standard. He joined the paper in June 2013. He is originally from Vidalia, Ga., and a graduate of Georgia Southern University. Follow him on Twitter @DerrekAsberry.