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As one might expect, the Arby’s restaurant on McCormick Drive in Winchester was filled Tuesday afternoon with patrons looking to enjoy their meal.

However, the conference area held a unique gathering of individuals.

Numerous professionals dedicated to serving community needs and making up the Clark County Human Services Council came together to discuss happenings and potential plans for the future.

“I just want to say thank you to each of you for attending,” said Melissa Sparks, the Director of Community Services at the Clark County Health Department. “When I sent out the link and information provided, the folks were pretty excited. Being able to come together face-to-face is really important.”

Individuals present included Liz Walton and Rae Jean Miller of Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Amie Moore of Mountain Comprehensive Care Center, Bruce Manley of Bluegrass Community and Technical College, Amanda Dube of Habitat for Humanity of Madison and Clark Counties, Laci Scarboro of Clark County Community Services, and both Stephanie Love and Melissa Wallace of GreenHouse17.

Each was happy to mention the accomplishments they have recently seen.

“[I’d like] just to say that we are finishing up [building] the last home on Lincoln Street,” said Dube, a Fund Development Coordinator. “We’re revitalizing the area in partnership with the city we’re very excited about that.”

Bruce Manley, who serves as the Campus Director for Winchester’s BCTC Campus, mentioned the different programs that the school offers students.

The school provides various degrees surrounding content such as arts, humanities, and communication, education and human services, healthcare, science, technology, engineering, math (STEM), and much more.

Plus, through its partnership with Handshake – considered a top resource for students trying to find jobs – BCTC can further benefit students.

“Students are already connected to a job. They’re already apprenticing for a company, and they’re already committed to working for an organization after they graduate,” said Manley. “[However,] if you are looking to hire a BCC student, you can connect with our students on the online platform called Handshake. It will post your resumes [and] post your job opportunities. Students get on there and look around.”

Representatives of other organizations presented information as well.

Though work is still to be done by Clark County Community Services, who confirmed 10 out of 24 households they are seeing each month are seeking utility assistance for the first time, 107 volunteers logged 428 volunteer hours during February.

GreenHouse17, an advocacy agency dedicated to assisting those suffering from partner abuse, provides several support groups and resources for those that need healing.

Kentucky River Foothills Development Council, Inc. can assist with no-cost tax preparation, which is particularly prevalent as April approaches.

If there’s one thing all organizations have in common, it’s a commitment to care.

The group plans to meet again on April 18.

“The more people that attend, the better off our community is,” Sparks said, “We know about all the resources here.”