The Chautauqua Alcohol and Substance Abuse Council is teaming up with local organizations once again for Hope and Healing For Chautauqua beginning on May 16. Pictured from left are Victoria Patti, community engagement coordinator and training specialist for Chautauqua County; Steven Cobb, Mental Health Association associate director; Ian Eastman, Evergreen Health exchange coordinator; Julie Franco, Hope Chautauqua Coalition coordinator; and Kathy Colby, CASAC director of training services. P-J photo by Katrina Fuller
Story via the Jamestown Post Journal
An event series focused on addiction prevention, help and recovery will kick off May 16.
The Hope and Healing For Chautauqua event series begins with a day of presentations, speakers and addiction resources at 9 a.m. at Chautauqua Suites in Mayville. The free, community center event will feature Vince Horrigan, Chautauqua County executive; Christine Schuyler, director of Health and Human Services for Chautauqua County; and Andrew O’Brien, UPMC Chautauqua WCA Chemical Dependency and Outpatient Mental Health director as special guest speakers. The keynote speaker for the day will be Rodney Wambeam, Wyoming Survey and Analysis Center of the University of Wyoming senior research scientist, with a talk titled “Boomers, Xera and Millennials: How New Research on Generations can inform the Future of Prevention.”
Julie Franco, Hope Chatuauqua Coalition coordinator, said the deadline for registration is Monday, May 1, and participants will receive lunch if they register by that date, which is provided with the support of the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.
She said the events will focus on informing the community on addiction, prevention and recovery, but also will offer a “message of hope.” Informational tables will be available for those who have questions or need more information on different organizations in the community.
Ian Eastman, Evergreen Health exchange coordinator, said drug addiction is an issue that is greatly impacting the community.
“Addiction is a very serious health issue that is facing our community,” Eastman said. “It’s important that everyone is knowledgeable about things we can do to help people.”
He said the group has put together a varied program in the forum which has something for everyone, regardless of what field they come from. A new informational series will kick off after the first day of Hope and Healing For Chautauqua County, he added.
“One of the things we’re doing new this year is what is called ‘Level-Up Talks,’” Eastman said. “That’s a series of micro-presentations from various providers around the community, an they’re presenting their big ideas about ways they’re approaching prevention, treatment and recovery.”
The Level-Up Talks schedule is as follows: Addiction Epidemic: Hope and Healing For Chautauqua Overview is scheduled for Wednesday, May 17, from 3-4 p.m. in Dunkirk which will be followed by Opioid Overdose Response and Narcan Training at 4 p.m. in Dunkirk. Hope and Healing at the UCAN Chapel will be held at the UCAN City Mission on Friday, May 19, at 12:30 p.m. at 7 W. First St. in Jamestown.
A drug awareness and prevention service will be held at Healing Word Ministries Church of God on Wednesday, May 24, at 6 p.m. in Jamestown. Finally, Building A Brighter Community With Chautauqua Bright Spots will be held at the YWCA Auditorium on Thursday, May 25, from 5:30-7 p.m. in Jamestown.
For more information on the events or to register online, visit www.Facebook.com/hopechautauqua or email Julie@casacweb.org.