Children busied themselves with games and activities in the Federal Street Community Center in Farrell Wednesday, and it was a very welcome sight for some county agency workers.

The Mercer County Housing Authority held an open house to help acquaint the community with a new alliance among the authority, Minority Health/E.R.A.S.E anti-drug coalition and the Shenango Valley YMCA.

The program was held from 4:30 to 7 p.m. and featured information tables and prizes.

Minority Health/E.R.A.S.E is now housed on the lower level of the building at 211 Federal St., while the YMCA utilizes the gymnasium and a main room on the ground floor.

L. DeWitt Boosel, housing authority executive director, said both organizations submitted proposals for the program, and the authority was so impressed, they decided to work with both groups.