The McKean County Collaborative Board comprises community stakeholders sharing a vision to develop cooperative solutions that strengthen well-being every county resident.
The Collaborative Board’s mission is to identify and respond to community needs by providing opportunities for cooperation and partnership. The Collaborative Board meets the first Wednesday of every other month to share relevant information, opportunities, requests and/or resources amongst members – with the broader purpose of strengthening our communities.
The board held its bimonthly meeting May 1 at Hamlin Library in Smethport. Board chairs Dan Wertz of McKean County Department of Human Services and Stephanie Eckstrom of the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford, and the convener, Jenn Douglass of The Guidance Center, work with the Steering Committee to develop meeting agendas and arrange guest speakers to begin each meeting.
May’s guest speaker was chosen to highlight Mental Health Awareness Month. Claudette Johnson, Kathy Wright and Katie Mackey presented on behalf of Rays of Hope. Founded in 2005 as a non-profit committee of individuals, families and agencies focused on supporting mental health recovery and resilience, its mission is to reduce the stigma associated with mental health, create hope and spread the word of recovery and resilience. Upcoming mental health awareness events include:
Adult Mental Health First Aid Training – Hosted by McKean County Department of Human Services, The Guidance Center and Rays of Hope, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 23. There is no cost for this training.
Good Vibes Yoga: a musical yoga event for mental health, 6 p.m. July 12 at Pitt-Bradford. The cost is $20 per person; bring a lawn chair or yoga mat.
Evergreen Elm’s 2nd Annual Mental Health Fair, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Masonic Lodge in Bradford. This event is for providers to learn about one another and how they can continue to work together.
The board allots designated time during meetings for community stakeholders to share opportunities, events, announcements and achievements. Meetings typically last from 1 to 2:30 p.m. the first Wednesday of every other month.
The next meeting will be held at 1 p.m. July 3 at Hamlin Library. There is a Zoom option for those who need to attend virtually.
Anyone interested in more information or becoming a Collaborative Board member can contact Wertz, Eckstrom or Douglass.
