May 11, 2026 “Filling the Bucket of Hope!”

The YMCA of Eau Claire is sponsoring a Mental Health Resource Fair on Saturday, May 16, 2026, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the YMCA of Eau Claire.

The event will include a children’s play area, three short speakers, and a 30-minute presentation by Sagent Behavioral Health. This gathering is more than a chance to collect information and resources. It is also a place where people can come together, learn about mental health, and discover hope and support for Recovery.

Last Saturday, a local social justice group in the Chippewa Valley sponsored a Mental Health Recovery event in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month. I was grateful for the opportunity to share information about the daily blog I write and the free virtual support group I lead on Thursday evenings from 6–7 p.m. I also had my two books available for purchase.

I am thankful to my good friend Elizabeth for helping me at the booth and participating in a demonstration support group during the event.

The day was bright, sunny, windy, and a little cool. Yet the weather did not keep people away. About 20 booths were spread throughout the park. Each booth served people in different ways related to mental health and substance misuse, but we all shared the same goal: Recovery.

Several people stopped by my booth to learn more about what I offer. One woman who bought both of my books works for a county human services agency. She is passionate about helping people connect with services in the Eau Claire area. While working full-time, she is also continuing her education. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a caring heart for the people she serves.

Another booth featured a woman who wrote a book of poetry as part of her healing journey from depression and anxiety. It took her several years to complete. She had copies available for purchase, and I bought one to support her Recovery and her desire to help others heal. I hope to share one of her poems at the end of this blog.

I was especially encouraged by the number of men who came to talk with me. In fact, more men than women stopped at my booth. This touched my heart because many of them spoke openly and honestly about their Recovery journeys. In many support groups, women often outnumber men, so seeing men willing to share so freely gave me hope.

When I returned home, my wife asked, “How did it go?”

I replied, “It was like priming a pump and filling my bucket with water.”

What I meant was this: the day filled me with hope. It reminded me that Recovery is alive in our community, and that many people are still searching, healing, and walking together toward a better life.