Kitsap-area Sailors and their families attended the 2nd annual resident resource fair at Naval Base Kitsap’s, Bangor Plaza, Feb. 22.

The event, hosted by Forest City Enterprises, Inc., included displays from more than 60 community and military agencies geared toward showing military members different businesses available to them from the Fleet and Family Support Center, as well as educational benefits and job opportunities.

Forest City Enterprises, Inc. is responsible for the management of family housing

“The purpose of the event is to provide information to families and let them know about resources available to them on and off base,” said Phil Redlinger, event coordinator and community service specialist for Forest City Enterprises, Inc. “Last year we hosted a resource fair for the new residents of NBK, and this year we wanted to open this fair up to all NBK residents in the surrounding Kitsap County.”

Supervisors were encouraged to take the information they gained back to their commands.

“Our goal is to have a resource fair quarterly and continue to make this a bigger event,” added Redlinger. “This benefits all military families and lets them know what services are out here.”

The resource fair is a great informational tool for new residents, said Chief Missile Technician (SS) Christopher Baum, Trident Training Facility’s Strategic Weapons Systems Training Department leading chief petty officer.

“[Knowing my resources] gives me an advantage and helps me for my future needs. It’s always good to know what is available for us,” said Baum.

The event was an opportunity to learn about businesses available to Sailors and their families, said Engineman 1st Class (SW) Matthew Benson, the hazardous materials leading petty officer at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard’s Intermediate Maintenance Facility.

“This is a great event for military families because we are always transferring to new places, and we don’t really know where to go,” said Benson. “This is the first time I’ve seen an event like this and wish resource fairs were held everywhere we transferred.”