Submitted photo The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation awarded the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County a grant to expand their services at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle Street in Dunkirk.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County recently received an $11,000 grant from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation.

The grant is to expand and improve services at their Dunkirk location at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle St. The Association 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.

Executive Director Steven Cobb expressed his appreciation to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation and its executive director, Diane Hannum.

“The impact of the support from the NCCF will allow the MHA to upgrade the space in Dunkirk,” Cobb said. “The upgrades will enable us to provide our recovery services in a space that is welcoming and comforting, with updated technology. This award will allow the MHA to deepen our commitment and raise our presence to support recovery in Northern Chautauqua County”

Staff are trained individuals who are in recovery from mental health diagnosis, and most are recovering from substance use disorder. They use their personal stories to help people find recovery in their own lives in their own way.

For those battling addiction, the availability of peer support can mean the difference between overcoming the addiction, relapsing, and possibly even death.

Recovery coaches work with individuals to set self-sufficient goals they wish to accomplish. Those goals may include continuing their education, obtaining and maintaining employment, securing permanent housing, and increasing visitation with or regaining custody of their children. A coach can help with a connection to rehab, treatment, and be a support for recovery.

Hours at the Dunkirk center are Wednesday noon to 3 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. – 3 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. A complete list and description of all Dunkirk groups can be found at MHAChautauqua.org/Dunkirk.

All services are free. To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call (716) 661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua.