Expo Brings Residents and Resources Together

What started as an idea through the Palm Coast Citizens Academy graduates has grown into a twice-yearly community event designed to help residents discover the people, organizations, services, and resources available right here in Palm Coast and Flagler County.

The latest Connecting to Palm Coast Expo welcomed more than 200 residents and brought together 43 local organizations, creating an evening focused on education, connection, and community.

The idea behind the expo came from members of the Palm Coast Citizens Academy Alumni Ambassadors, who wanted to take their Citizens Academy experience to the next level.

Through the Citizens Academy, residents have the opportunity to learn how their local government operates, meet the people behind the departments and services they rely on, and gain a better understanding of their community. After completing the program, the alumni realized there was an opportunity to share that knowledge beyond the classroom.

They didn’t want the education to end when the Academy did. They wanted to create a bridge between what residents learned and the resources available to them every day.

That vision became the Connecting to Palm Coast Expo.

The expo brings together City of Palm Coast and Flagler County departments, local nonprofits, community organizations, and other groups that provide valuable services to residents. The goal is simple: help people know where to turn, who to call, and what resources are available before they need them.

“There’s so much happening in our community, and so many organizations doing meaningful work, but you can’t take advantage of a resource you don’t know exists,” said members of the Palm Coast Citizens Academy Alumni Ambassadors. “We wanted to create a place where residents could come, ask questions, meet people, and make those connections.”

The latest event featured 43 participating organizations and more than 200 attendees, demonstrating the community’s interest in learning more about the resources available to them.

The event was also hosted at the Flagler County NEXUS Center, a new location for the expo. Organizers expressed their appreciation to the Flagler County Government and NEXUS Center for providing an accessible space and supporting the event.

But organizers say the real success of Connecting to Palm Coast isn’t measured simply by attendance. It’s measured by the connections made.

A resident may discover a nonprofit that can help a family member, learn about a county service they didn’t know existed, meet a City representative who can answer a question, or simply walk away with a better understanding of the community they call home.

And that is exactly what the Citizens Academy alumni hoped to create: A Community Initiative Created by Residents, For Residents.

The Palm Coast Citizens Academy Alumni Ambassadors are volunteers who have chosen to continue their involvement in the community after completing the Citizens Academy. They organize the Connecting to Palm Coast Expo twice a year as a way to give back and help residents become more informed and connected.

The initiative represents the idea that civic engagement doesn’t have to end when a program is completed. Sometimes, it is where the next idea begins.

This is a free event open to residents interested in learning more about the community and the resources available throughout Palm Coast and Flagler County.