JAMESTOWN — HOPE Chautauqua Bright Spots Committee is recognizing the ‘Hometown Heroes’ in our community that have been working their hardest during this pandemic.

The last several months have been filled with change and uncertainty, but it is important that the community comes together and spreads positivity now more than ever. The trauma of a pandemic can negatively impact many people. These ‘Hometown Heroes’ kept our community going with essential services that helped people get through this crisis and supported individuals and families with what they needed to stay healthy and not get trapped in unhealthy behaviors.

The organization is recognizing: Grocery Stores and Retailers, Nursing Homes, Health Care Workers/Medical Professionals, Direct Care Workers, Child Care Providers, First Responders, Public Health Workers, Gas Stations, Convenience Stores, PPE Professionals, Essential Manufacturers, Service Support People (Plumbers, Electricians, Utility Providers), Public Transportation, Food Service Workers (Schools, Restaurants), Pharmacists/Pharmacy Technicians, Sanitation Workers, Educators/School Staff, Municipal Leaders, Financial Institutions, Veterinarians, All Delivery Services, Mental Health Providers, Media Reporters (Newspapers, Radios), and Local Farmers.

Chautauqua Bright Spots will be recognizing these ‘Hometown Heroes’ daily on their Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/chqbrightspots). Chautauqua Bright Spots encourages the community to tag the people and businesses in their life that they have considered heroes during this pandemic. All ‘Hometown Heroes’ recognized embody the Chautauqua Bright Spots’ mission; to empower neighborhoods, groups, and individuals to create positive community change, highlight positive alternatives to harmful behaviors, and build community connectedness to make Chautauqua a healthier place to live, work, and play.Chautauqua Bright Spots is a committee of HOPE Chautauqua, a Coalition that was formed to promote substance use prevention in the county. Coalition members desired a way to recognize good things happening in the community while working to raise awareness of substance use prevention efforts.

Chautauqua Bright Spots supports and promotes all the positive things happening in Chautauqua County!If you know of a group, entities, or organizations in Chautauqua County that fit the description of a Bright Spot according to the initiative’s mission, please make a nomination.

Nomination forms are available at the Prevention Works, Inc. website (https://preventionworks.us/hope-chq-bright-spots-form.php) or on the Chautauqua Bright Spots Facebook, where you can either download the form or follow the link to complete online. Nominations are accepted continuously, and Bright Spots will be designated at special recognition events on a periodic basis.