Submitted Photo Centered in the photo is Alicia Ekstrom, Recruiter/Marketing Specialist – The Chautauqua Center presents to the Lutheran Foster Grandparents.

Dunkirk Area Foster Grandparents learned about The Chautauqua Center (TCC), a federally qualified health center, located in Dunkirk and Jamestown, works with all members of the community as well as with local healthcare organizations to ensure that residents have adequate access to health care and ancillary services (i.e., counseling and dental).

In addition, the center works directly with many collaborative partners to address social determinants of health such as housing concerns, insurance enrollment via the NYS Marketplace, food access, nutritional education with Eat Smart New York program, etc. The Mission of The Chautauqua Center is to deliver comprehensive high-quality patient-centered health and support services in the Chautauqua region. TCC patient-centered services demonstrates an integrated approach being a “one-stop shop” for all bringing access, treatment, education, and prevention delivered by friendly and professional clinic and administrative teams. TCC is scheduling appointments with no wait and is also open evenings. To make an appointment for your family, contact, 363-6050, and for pediatric appointments call, 366-6036.

Monthly Foster Grandparents gather to attend a required in-service. In-services are geared to better prepare the volunteers to serve with children in Dunkirk School No. 3, Brocton Elementary School and Connections North — Head Start. The Foster Grandparent Program (FGP) staff aspires to make the workshops not only informative, but fun.

March’s in-service was a field trip to The Chautauqua Center in Dunkirk. Alicia Ekstrom, Recruiter/Marketing Specialist for The Chautauqua Center explained all the services and opportunities offered at The Chautauqua Center. Questions were asked and discussion ensued as the Foster Grandparents eagerly learned of the available services.

Lutheran Foster Grandparent Program is sponsored locally by Lutheran. FGP is part of Senior Corps, a program of the Corporation for National and Community Service, the federal agency for volunteering, service, and civic engagement. The agency engages millions of Americans in citizen service through its AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs and leads the nation’s volunteering and service efforts. At present, Lutheran Foster Grandparents are actively recruiting in Northern Chautauqua County area. You may be the one to help a child be successful in school. For more information, visit NationalService.gov or call the office at 665-5354.