{"id":63220,"date":"2025-04-02T10:04:12","date_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:04:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/?p=63220"},"modified":"2025-04-02T10:04:12","modified_gmt":"2025-04-02T14:04:12","slug":"genesee-orleans-wyoming-gow-cares-alliance-focusing-on-community-access-to-services-holistic-approach-to-wellness","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/04\/02\/genesee-orleans-wyoming-gow-cares-alliance-focusing-on-community-access-to-services-holistic-approach-to-wellness\/","title":{"rendered":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/WYOMING\/GOW CARES Alliance focusing on community, access to services, holistic approach to wellness"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sue Gagne, left, coordinator of the GOW CARES Alliance, with members of her team \u2013 Melissa Vinyard, Sherri Bensley and Cheryl Netter \u2013 at Tuesday\u2019s quarterly meeting at Grace Baptist Church in Batavia<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

By Mike Pettinella
UConnectCare Publicist<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first quarterly meeting of the GOW CARES Alliance, formerly known as the GOW Opioid Task Force, on Tuesday afternoon illustrated the value of community partnerships in improving people\u2019s health and well-being.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

About 90 people, representing several human services\u2019 agencies in Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming counties, attended the two-hour event hosted by Grace Baptist Church in Batavia. It was the first large public gathering of the coalition since the COVID pandemic hit in early 2020.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Paul Pettit, addresses the audience, as Danielle Figura looks on. Pettit and Figura serve as the GOW CARES Alliance steering committee co-chairs. Photo\/Mike Pettinella<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Paul Pettit, public health director of Genesee & Orleans County Health Departments and co-chair of the alliance\u2019s steering committee, emphasized the significance of the name change \u2013 noting that the focus has broaden from just opioid overdose deaths to include strategies to address all types of substance use, mental health issues, trauma and suicide.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWhat were trying to do now with the GOW Cares Alliance is trying bring these issues together and trying to attack them as a collective,\u201d Pettit said. \u201cThe dashboard (on the GO Health website) has links and resources for people who use drugs or are in crisis or have a family member that\u2019s in crisis that helps lead them to services and access to care.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pettit said the alliance has identified three key strategies to reduce the substantial rates of overdose and suicide in the three rural counties:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Community Centered Approach. Recognize and respond to the overall health challenges and strengths of rural communities by gauging the pulse of current trends and involving people with lived experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Addressing Barriers to Access. Promoting community awareness and understanding through navigating the system, health literacy and connection to community resources; addressing stigma and equitable access, and offering safer choices and harm reduction options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

— Promotion of Holistic Care. Addressing physical, mental, social and spiritual needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The directors of Community Services in the three counties spoke about the role of mental health agencies in a grassroots organization such as the GOW CARES (Community Action for Recovery Education & Support) Alliance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a team effort,\u201d said Lynda Battaglia (Genesee County), noting that more than half of Americans are diagnosed with some type of anxiety disorder and that someone dies by suicide every 11 minutes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She said it is incumbent upon local mental health and community services departments to \u201cfill the gap\u201d in services to their residents. She said that the goal is to identify the needs of the community and find out what services are needed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Photo-Mike Pettinella<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Battaglia urged those in the audience to reach out to governmental leaders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe need to hear your voice. You are the boots on the ground,\u201d she said. \u201cIf you have an idea for a service, I encourage you to email us.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Danielle Figura (Orleans County), who also serves as the steering committee co-chair, spoke about the partnership between Genesee and Orleans counties in the mental health field.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

She mentioned some of the Orleans\u2019 initiatives such as a helpline (that reaches all three counties), fatality review board, leave behind kits for first responders and a Critical Incident Stress Management team to help those involved in traumatic events.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kelly Dryja (Wyoming County) shared three initiatives in her county \u2013 CredibleMind, a free and confidential online platform that gathers expert-rated and vetted videos, podcasts, apps and other resources; a harm reduction vending machine in the Village of Warsaw, and a \u201ccommunity conversation\u201d on combatting stigma in conjunction with the University of Rochester.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Co-chairs of the alliance\u2019s four workgroups \u2013 Community Education, Community Trends, Resource Hub and Safer Choices \u2013 spoke briefly about their objectives, which, respectively, include meeting planning and publicity, data analysis in cooperation with law enforcement, updating a resource guide, social media platforms and website, and providing resources and products that act as a \u201cgo-between\u201d prevention and total abstinence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure><\/div>
\"\"<\/figure><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n

The meeting concluded with a spirited \u201cRecovery Fashion Show,\u201d with Melissa Vinyard, director of The Recovery Station on Clinton Street Road as the M.C. Participants wore items of clothing from the City Church Clothing Collection, which supplies clothes for all ages, plus other household items to those in need at no charge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The eight \u201cRecovery Fashion Show\u201d participants acknowledge applause at the conclusion of the meeting. Photo Mike Pettinella<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Four women and four men, representing 77 years of recovery, took part in the fashion show as the audience cheered in appreciation of their successful journeys.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe at The Recovery Station do recovery loudly,\u201d Vinyard said, \u201cso people don\u2019t have to die quietly, alone.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lunch was provided by Spectrum Human Services. Other agencies who set up tables were Independent Living of the Genesee Region, Fidelis Care, Genesee County Office for the Aging, Veterans Services and Veterans Crisis Line, Horizon, GO Health, Best Self Behavioral Health and UConnectCare.  <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Sue Gagne, left, coordinator of the GOW CARES Alliance, with members of her team \u2013 Melissa Vinyard, Sherri Bensley and Cheryl Netter \u2013 at Tuesday\u2019s quarterly meeting at Grace Baptist Church in Batavia. By Mike PettinellaUConnectCare Publicist The first quarterly meeting of the GOW CARES Alliance, formerly known as the \u2026<\/p>\n

Continue reading<\/i><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":63224,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"advanced_seo_description":"","jetpack_seo_html_title":"","jetpack_seo_noindex":false,"jetpack_seo_schema_type":"","_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[8,23,6,16],"tags":[4976],"class_list":["post-63220","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-batavia","category-genesee-county","category-orleans-county","category-wyoming-county","tag-gow-cares-alliance"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p8eTP4-grG","jetpack-related-posts":[{"id":62506,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/03\/10\/genesee-orleans-wyoming-counties-gow-cares-alliance-to-meet-on-april-1st-at-grace-baptist-in-batavia-with-a-new-coordinator\/","url_meta":{"origin":63220,"position":0},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/WYOMING COUNTIES\/GOW CARES Alliance to meet on April 1st at Grace Baptist in Batavia with a new coordinator","author":"aka","date":"March 10, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: The tri-county coalition dedicated to community health and well-being is back in the public eye \u2013 with a new name and a new coordinator. 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The hybrid-style meeting \u2013 both in person and via Zoom videoconferencing \u2013 is open to the public at\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":79515,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2026\/08\/26\/batavia-raising-awareness-and-remembering-those-who-we-have-lost-gow-overdose-awareness-event-at-austin-park-in-its-7th-year\/","url_meta":{"origin":63220,"position":2},"title":"BATAVIA\/Raising awareness and remembering those who we have lost, GOW Overdose Awareness event at Austin Park in its 7th year","author":"aka","date":"August 26, 2026","format":false,"excerpt":"Joey Evans speaks about his journey from addiction to alcohol to getting a second chance in life \"Sometimes all it takes is one moment of awareness to make a difference. Behind every overdose is a human being, a person with hopes and struggles, loved ones, and a story that matters.\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Batavia"","block_context":{"text":"Batavia","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/gennesse-county\/batavia\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260826_171810-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C997&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200,"srcset":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260826_171810-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C997&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200 1x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260826_171810-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C997&ssl=1&resize=525%2C300 1.5x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260826_171810-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C997&ssl=1&resize=700%2C400 2x, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/20260826_171810-scaled.jpg?fit=1200%2C997&ssl=1&resize=1050%2C600 3x"},"classes":[]},{"id":22207,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2021\/01\/15\/genesee-orleans-wyoming-opioid-task-force-to-host-virtual-quarterly-meeting\/","url_meta":{"origin":63220,"position":3},"title":"Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Opioid Task Force to host virtual quarterly meeting","author":"aka","date":"January 15, 2021","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release The GOW Opioid Task Force will be hosting its second virtual Quarterly Meeting on Thursday, January 21st at 9:30am. This meeting will focus on highlights from the past year, plans for 2021, and how we have adjusted our efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, local addictions professionals\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "WNY"","block_context":{"text":"WNY","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/wny\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"","width":0,"height":0},"classes":[]},{"id":51968,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2024\/04\/02\/genesee-orleans-wyoming-counties-uconnectcare-hires-jay-baranto-lead-gow-opioid-task-force\/","url_meta":{"origin":63220,"position":4},"title":"GENESEE\/ORLEANS\/WYOMING COUNTIES\/UConnectCare hires Jay Baranto lead GOW Opioid Task Force","author":"aka","date":"April 2, 2024","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release UConnectCare (formerly Genesee\/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) has hired Jay Baran as the coordinator of the GOW Opioid Task Force. Baran, 26, is responsible for overseeing the three-county \u2013 Genesee, Orleans and Wyoming \u2013 volunteer organization that is dedicated to dedicated to saving lives by reducing\u2026","rel":"","context":"In "Genesee County"","block_context":{"text":"Genesee County","link":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/category\/genesee-county\/"},"img":{"alt_text":"","src":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/videonewsservice.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/jay-baran-1.jpg?fit=421%2C656&ssl=1&resize=350%2C200","width":350,"height":200},"classes":[]},{"id":67267,"url":"https:\/\/videonewsservice.net\/index.php\/2025\/08\/20\/batavia-international-overdose-awareness-day-includes-event-at-st-anthonys-batavia\/","url_meta":{"origin":63220,"position":5},"title":"BATAVIA\/International Overdose Awareness Day includes event at St. Anthony\u2019s, Batavia","author":"aka","date":"August 20, 2025","format":false,"excerpt":"Press release: \u201cOne big family, driven by hope\u201d is the theme for this year\u2019s International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) campaign \u2013 the annual observance that includes a local event from 4 - 7 p.m. August 26th at St. Anthony\u2019s in Batavia, hosted by the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming CARES Alliance. 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