HomeMy WebLinkAbout07-22-2026 AMENDED - Third District Councilmember Sharon McBride Invites Community to H.O.P.E. Community Connections
South Bend Common Council
Sharon McBride
Third (3rd) District Councilmember
INTEGRITY | SERVICE | ACCESSIBILITY
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574-235-5981 | f. 574-235-9173 | smcbride@southbendin.gov
AMENDED PRESS RELEASE
MEMORANDUM
TO: MEMBERS OF THE COMMON COUNCIL
FROM: SHARON MCBRIDE, THIRD (3RD) DISTRICT CITY COUNCILMEMBER
DATE: WEDNESDAY, JULY 22, 2026
SUBJECT: THIRD (3RD) DISTRICT COUNCILMEMBER SHARON MCBRIDE INVITES COMMUNITY
TO H.O.P.E COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS
Third (3rd) District Councilmember Sharon McBride Invites Community to H.O.P.E. Community Connections
South Bend, Indiana — Third (3rd) District Councilmember Sharon McBride invites the community to attend
H.O.P.E. Community Connections, a special community engagement event taking place before the Midwest
Invitational Rodeo on Saturday, August 1, 2026, from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at the St. Joseph County 4-H
Fairgrounds.
Presented in recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, H.O.P.E. Community Connections
reflects a shared commitment to Healing, Outreach, Purpose, and Empowerment (H.O.P.E.) by creating a
welcoming space where entertainment, education, and community engagement come together to promote mental
wellness, reduce stigma, and connect individuals and families with behavioral health resources.
Rather than asking the community to come to a behavioral health program, H.O.P.E. Community Connections brings
behavioral health into a community celebration—creating an inviting environment where conversations about mental
wellness can begin naturally through music, fellowship, and shared experiences.
From 3:00 p.m. until 5:00 p.m., attendees will experience the H.O.P.E. Musical Tribute Experience, presented by
Pastor David Rial Buggs, Sr. and LaRissa Chism Buggs, M.D., of Cultivating Life. Featuring live music
performed by singers and musicians representing some of the area's finest talent, this unique presentation blends
contemporary inspirational music, personal testimony, faith, therapeutic communication, and behavioral health
education to create an experience that encourages hope, builds resilience, and fosters meaningful dialogue about
mental wellness.
Cultivating Life's commitment to community behavioral health extends across the lifespan through initiatives such as
H.O.P.E. (Healing, Outreach, Purpose, and Empowerment), which equips trusted adults to better support children,
youth, and families, and Senior C.I.R.C.L.E.S. (Community Integration & Resource Coordination for Local
South Bend Common Council
Sharon McBride
Third (3rd) District Councilmember
INTEGRITY | SERVICE | ACCESSIBILITY
EXCELLENCE | ACCOUNTABILITY | INNOVATION | INCLUSION | EMPOWERMENT
300 City Hall | 215 S. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd. | South Bend, Indiana 46601 | p. 574-235-5981 | f. 574-235-9173 | smcbride@southbendin.gov
Elders), an interdisciplinary initiative that supports older adults living with serious mental illness and the caregivers
who care for them.
Although the event is held in recognition of Minority Mental Health Awareness Month, all members of the
community are welcome. Behavioral health providers, substance use recovery organizations, crisis response agencies,
youth and family service organizations, peer support organizations, and other community resource providers are
encouraged to host resource tables so that attendees may receive information and be connected with available services
and supports.
Following H.O.P.E. Community Connections, attendees are invited to enjoy additional community activities
throughout the afternoon and evening, including a fashion show presented by DW Styles at 5:00 p.m., line
dancing with Lorenzo Davis beginning at 6:00 p.m., and the Midwest Invitational Rodeo at 7:00 p.m.
Admission to the Midwest Invitational Rodeo includes access to H.O.P.E. Community Connections, as well as
all other scheduled activities. For tickets, visit the rodeo ticket link or call 574-514-0053.
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