A grant from the Hultquist Foundation is helping the Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County to hire a bilingual staff person to work in both its Jamestown and Dunkirk recovery centers. The entrance to the Jamestown center is pictured.

The Mental Health Association in Chautauqua County has received a grant that will allow it to hire a bilingual staff person to work in its Jamestown and Dunkirk centers.

Michelle Colaiacovo, MHA grant manager, said recently the association has received a grant from Jamestown’s Hultquist Foundation to hire a bilingual peer who will serve in both the Dunkirk and Jamestown recovery centers.

“Receiving this grant is very important to our community as it will allow us to work with an underserved population throughout Chautauqua County,” said Michael Nordin, Mental Health Association interim executive director.

In applying for the grant, MHA officials said peer support plays a vital role in the Spanish-speaking community by creating a nurturing environment for those who understand the unique cultural differences, language barriers, and specific challenges this community faces. This supportive network fosters a deep sense of belonging, enabling individuals to openly share their experiences and effectively communicate their needs. By connecting with peers who have experienced similar challenges, Spanish-speaking community members gain the confidence to navigate life’s complexities, drawing strength from shared experiences.

MHA’s Jamestown recovery center in the Gateway Building, Door 14, at 31 Water St., is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Tuesday and Friday from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Hours for the north county center at Grace Lutheran Church, 601 Eagle St., Dunkirk, are Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Wednesday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.

To learn more about the Mental Health Association, call 716-661-9044 or visit MHAChautauqua.org or facebook.com/MHAChautauqua. A schedule with descriptions of MHA’s dozens of groups and classes is at MHAChautauqua.org/groups. To receive MHA newsletters and communications, send an email to MHAChautauqua.org/email.