(WNY News Now) – In a powerful step toward community empowerment, the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County launched its first-ever job fair alongside its monthly recovery luncheon, merging workforce development with wellness support.
Jamestown, N.Y. – In addition to its monthly recovery luncheon, in May the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County (MHA) had its first-ever Job Fair.
“This was a great first-time experience,” MHA Executive Director Michael Nordin said of the May 14 event. “We look forward to it growing in the future!”
OPEN (Occupational Peer Empowerment Network) is the MHA program focused on workforce development, helping lift people out of poverty by overcoming barriers to gaining, maintaining, and thriving as employees.
Assisted by MHA Peer Specialist Gordy Frederes, OPEN Program Peer Justin Jimenez coordinated the Job Fair. They had a table to answer job questions, and bilingual Spanish Outreach Peer Danny Rosario was available to help participants.
Organizations represented at the event included Blackstone Advanced Technologies, Goodwill of Western New York, Manpower, Molina Healthcare, and The Resource Center.
Jiminez is planning for Job Fairs to be held quarterly at the MHA, with the next one in mid-August. Any business or organization interested in participating is invited to contact him at OPEN@MHAChautauqua.org or (716) 490-4428.
At the subsequent May recovery luncheon, Nordin had certificates for five participants who began employment at local businesses, from a fast food restaurant to a manufacturer. Dan Graham was recognized for volunteering to assemble 150 xylazine wound care kits, and Diana Bloom was acknowledged as MHA’s new “Head Volunteer.” Denver, the service dog owned by Sonny Burns, received a certificate for his “Service to Others in Crisis.”
Participants enjoyed hearty picnic fare prepared and served by Pam Lucas and Betsy Trusel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Jamestown
All are welcome to the free recovery luncheons at 1 p.m. on the third Tuesday of every month.
The Mental Health Association invites local businesses, churches, organizations and individuals to assist in providing these lunches. To help by making a meal or sharing its cost, contact Activities/PR Coordinator Dianne Valvo at (716) 720-8098 or Dianne.Valvo@MHAChautauqua.org.
The MHA 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. All MHA services, including xylazine wound care kits and fentanyl test kits, are free.
The Jamestown recovery center in the Gateway Building, Door 14, at 31 Water Street 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 recovery center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk, are Tuesdays and Wednesdays from 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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 in Dunkirk and Jamestown is at MHAChautauqua.org/groups.
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