West NY News

Staff from the Chautauqua County Department of Mental Hygiene's Certified Community Behavioral Health Center in Dunkirk have organized an initiative to assist the homeless by assembling care bags. The effort is led by a team of clinicians committed to supporting vulnerable residents.

The care bags contain essential items such as Gatorade, hand warmers, hygiene products, Narcan, winter hats, socks, and mental health resources. These items are intended to provide immediate relief during the colder months.

"This initiative is deeply personal to me," said Shannon Fisk, a department intern who led the project. "My experiences working with the county’s homeless population, including directing the Code Blue Warming Center at the Gateway Center, inspired me to make these care bags. It’s a way to give back and ensure our community members in need feel supported."

Local partners actively serving the homeless received these care bags for distribution. Partners include the Dunkirk Police Department, Probation Services, and the Dunkirk Mental Health Association.

The Department of Mental Hygiene employs a team system called SQUAD that divides clinicians into teams for initiatives enhancing services for clients and staff. The SQUAD involved in this project includes Shannon Fisk, Ashlie Hall, Melissa Rodriguez Arroyo, Michelle Merritt, Aleyna Westling, and Cyndi Szymanowski. This project reflects their collaborative spirit and dedication to community service.