Jamestown, N.Y. – The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) is partnering with the Chautauqua Watershed Conservancy and the Roger Tory Peterson Institute to restore the native wildflowers along the Chadakoin River and explore the role of art and artists in protecting freshwater ecosystems.
All are welcome to a science workshop Friday, June 28 at 1 p.m. at the MHA’s Jamestown recovery center, Door 14 in the rear of the Gateway Center at 31 Water Street. Artist Sara Baker Michalak will teach how to make native wildflower seed balls to help restore the banks of the Chadakoin and share the story of the spiny softshell turtles that live there.
This project will be featured in “Art that Matters to the Planet 2024: Clarity,” the exhibition opening August 2 at the Roger Tory Peterson Institute.
In his welcome at the MHA’s June recovery luncheon, Executive Director Steven Cobb encouraged participation in this event. He described how the Chadakoin River at the rear of the Jamestown recovery center is filled with fish and spiny softshell turtles, a vulnerable species. The turtles have been seen in the early evening when they emerged from the water to lay their eggs, some of which are poached by river otters and raccoons.
Cobb awarded certificates to two special MHA volunteers who were later honored at the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County’s volunteer recognition event. Gordy Frederes and Blain “Buddy” Carlson work as a team, running the reception area at the Jamestown recovery center. They greet participants, answer phone calls and complete registration materials with participants. More important is the hope, love, and inspiration they so freely share, what MHA calls “radical acceptance.” The MHA staff and participants are grateful for their joy, humor, and graciousness.
Cobb also recognized Rev. Tom LeBeau for serving on the MHA’s board of directors and his years of facilitating the faith-based PTSD recovery group. With his recent retirement from the Mayville United Methodist Church, LeBeau is moving out of the area. He was applauded and will be missed.
Participants received certificates for finishing peer specialist training and receiving certification, completing the Goodskills Career Builder program at Jamestown Community College, and achieving parenting goals in working to reunite their families.
Noting there were seven fatal overdoses the previous day in Erie County, Cobb encouraged anyone who knows someone who is taking drugs to have a conversation with them about using in a safe way: with fentanyl test strips, not being alone and using in small doses.
Flyers were distributed with the days and locations of the Jamestown Mobile Market stops and a reminder that the Mobile Market accepts SNAP Double Up Food Bucks. Fr. Luke Fodor of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jamestown announced that a limited number of boxes of locally grown, raised and produced food are given away FREE at each location on a first come, first served basis.
Next month’s recovery luncheon on July 16 will be a barbeque and picnic. It will be followed at 2 p.m. by a HOME (Housing Opportunities Made Equal) training seminar on the rights and responsibilities of tenants, how HOME can help, and how to ask for their help. Based in Buffalo, this program is becoming more active in Chautauqua County
Rev. LeBeau offered grace before the Mexican-themed meal that was prepared and served by Sandy Harle, Sandy Kearney, and Fran Lapinski of St. Luke’s.
The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County is a peer recovery center offering support groups and individual coaching for people looking to improve their lives, deepen wellness, thrive in recovery, or support those on a recovery path. Peers use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.
The MHA commits to radical acceptance, empowerment, and advocacy for community members who struggle with mental health and substance use.
MHA’s Jamestown center is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, 9:30 a.m.– 7 p.m., and Tuesday and Friday, 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Hours for the north county center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are 9:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. Tuesday and 11 a.m.– 7 p.m. Wednesday.
To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s dozens of groups and classes is at MHAchautauqua.org/groups.
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