Marissa Ries and James Peterson share information about NY Project Hope which provides information, education, emotional support and links to resources related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sat Aug 27 2022 7:25 PM
Story and photo by Alice Gerard
On August 12, children and adults gathered in a tent next to the Grand Island Memorial Library to celebrate the end of summer reading programs with ice cream and crafts, and with drawings for children. price. They also had the opportunity to speak to Marissa Ries and James Peterson of Spectrum Health about a program called NY Project Hope that provides information, education, emotional support and links to resources.
According to Ries, “We help people understand their emotional response to COVID. We also go out into the community to educate people about free resources and to help people build coping skills through groups in the community. We have been coming to the library since spring.
Ries said help is also available through an emotional support helpline, which is free, anonymous and confidential. He is available for anyone wishing to discuss any issues related to the coronavirus pandemic.
“You don’t have to be in a crisis to call,” she said. The helpline is available from 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. on weekdays. The phone number is 716-566-6506.
Peterson said working with the program has been “a great opportunity to reach out to the western New York community.”
He added that the sessions at the Grand Island Memorial Library have been good and “we have an ongoing group of adults who have participated in our self-care and mindfulness sessions.” This also includes chair yoga. He also expressed his gratitude to the library “for so graciously providing us with the space to implement our sessions.”
The next session is scheduled for Friday, September 2 at 11 a.m. All are invited to attend.
In addition to the information provided by Ries and Peterson, there were volunteers at a table who offered chocolate and vanilla swirl cups, as well as a variety of ice cream toppings. They also served drinks to everyone who attended the event.
According to Carly Spatar, Youth Services Librarian at the Grand Island Memorial Library, children and teens had the opportunity to play a game of bingo to win prizes which were provided by the Friends of the Memorial Library. of Grand Island.
“It’s a fun way to get kids to read different books and get out of their favorite genres,” she said. “It went wonderfully. We had a huge response.
Spatar noted that prizes awarded to winners in age categories ranging from toddlers to teens included two bikes with helmets, a ball pit, stuffed animals and Amazon gift cards.
Mary Cooke, president of the Friends of the Grand Island Memorial Library, said the event, which the group sponsors each year, “went very well.” She said the prizes were purchased with proceeds from the sale of donated books. “Our city is wonderful with book donations. It’s the biggest recycling program of all time.
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