Mohawk Opportunities, Inc.

to when Mohawk Opportunities was named one of Capital Region's Top Workplaces by the Times Union! 🌟

Thank you to the sponsors of Mohawk Opportunities Mental Health Day! 💚 Because of these organizations' generosity, we can make critical conversations about mental health accessible to our local community.

Join us on Thursday, October 10th, for a morning of education, discussion, and camaraderie — Learn more and register on our website at MohawkOpportunities.org.

It is impossible to celebrate Book Lovers Day without spotlighting Tanya Brown, author of "Finding Peace Amid the Chaos: My Escape from Depression and Su***de" and speaker at Mohawk Opportunities' upcoming World Mental Health Day event.

Tanya Brown is no stranger to adversity or trauma. With the loss of her sister, Nicole Brown Simpson, she has faced overwhelming life challenges but used these obstacles to ultimately improve the quality of her life. Tanya became a domestic violence advocate, doing speaking engagements and training that would inform people about the horror of abuse at home.

Join us in hearing from Tanya on Thursday, October 10th. Learn more and sign up on our website at https://loom.ly/OrtePWE.

You can purchase Tanya's book from most booksellers, including Barnes & Noble: https://loom.ly/tPNH7RQ

On Purple Heart Day, we pause to honor and remember the valor of those who have been wounded or have sacrificed their lives for our country. Mohawk Opportunities is dedicated to supporting the mental well-being of all individuals, including veterans. Let’s extend our gratitude and commitment to these courageous individuals today. 💜

Happy International Day of Friendship! 💚 Today, we celebrate and recognize the vital role friendships play in mental health and well-being. Built on understanding, support, and compassion, true friendship creates bonds that empower and uplift. Remember, spread kindness today and every day!

Meet Author & Mental Health Educator Natasha Pierre, who will join us at our World Mental Health Day event on Thursday, October 10th. 💚 Natasha will present our morning session, Community Wellness: Uniting Against Mental Health Stigma. Learn more and register to attend at https://mohawkopportunities.org/mental-health-series/

Whether celebrating two years or sixteen, we are incredibly proud to have these great team members! 💚 We know that our team is our greatest asset. We are so proud to have individuals who consistently lift up those living with mental illness and their families.

We invite you to spend World Mental Health Day with Mohawk Opportunities, engaging in critical conversations about mental health with presentations from two renowned speakers: Natasha A. Pierre, Author & Mental Health Educator, and Tanya Brown, National Speaker, Advocate & Sister of Nicole Brown Simpson. 💚

Mark your calendar for Thursday, October 10th, and register on our website at https://mohawkopportunities.org/mental-health-series/

Happy Fourth of July! 🎆 Today, as we celebrate our nation’s freedom, we reflect on the journey towards independence and resilience in all aspects of life.

Helping clients like Gwenie is the motivation for so many individuals at Mohawk Opportunities — from our team members to our board of directors. 💚 Read her story below and learn about some of the ways that Mohawk Opportunities opens doors to growth and recovery.

Hi, my name is Gwenie, and I am blessed. Recovery is feeling good about myself. I love myself and work to be a better person. I believe that when one door closes, another one opens.

Today, I have a good place to live and people who support and care about me.

My Case Manager at Mohawk Opportunities is a kindhearted person who helps me with my benefits and transportation. She spends time with me and talks to me. I have my clinician, and I take my medicine because it helps to keep me afloat. My life is stable, and I'm a "boring person" who loves shopping and being in the water.

Here's my story: I had some trauma in my life that caused me setbacks. I moved around constantly, my family didn't talk to me, and I was always in the hospital. I wasn't feeling good and was told that I had symptoms of bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. Eventually, I moved to Schenectady and moved in with my boyfriend, James. I started treatment but was still going to the hospital a lot. I started working with the Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) team in 2010 and started on the right track. I knew the staff cared for me. I graduated from ACT and went to the clinic in 2013, where they took really good care of me. Then, I transitioned into care coordination. They helped us get housing and helped me when a loved one got sick and died from COVID.

Now, my family and I are close. They talk to me and are part of my support system. I talk to my daughter and three grandkids and even saw them last week. I am going to my sister's surprise party. I can sleep well, think straight, and am blessed.

Today, on Juneteenth, we celebrate freedom, equality, and the continuous journey toward justice. ⭐ At Mohawk Opportunities, we recognize the profound impact that historical and systemic inequality can have on mental health. We are committed to supporting mental wellness for ALL — acknowledging the strength and resilience of the Black community. Let’s honor this day by advocating for mental health support that is inclusive and empowering for everyone. 💙

We had an amazing time at our Annual Agency Forum last month! 🌟 This cherished tradition allows us to share important updates, future plans, and insights from our recent staff surveys. One of the highlights is always the Spirit Awards, where we celebrate team members who embody the values of our first two executive directors, Eileen Cregg and Joe Gallagher. A big congratulations to all the awardees!

🌟 Deloris Woodson, Joe Gallagher Award
Awarded to a person whose work reflects a culture of caring, meaningfulness, creativity and quality.

🌟 Farzana Imbert, Eileen Cregg Award
Awarded to a person whose work reflects advocacy, integrity and social justice.

🌟 Elizabeth Marchetti, Spirit of Leadership Award
Awarded to a person who offers support, encouragement, recognition and appreciation.

🌟 Whitney Nightingale, Spirit of Collaboration Award
Awarded to a person who partners with others, values what others have to offer.

🌟 Diane Blohm, Spirit of Recovery Award
Awarded to a person with a "can do” attitude, promotes growth and recovery.

🌟 Kat Murray, Naeco Rodriguez, & Allison Whitmire, Spirit of Caring Award
Awarded to a person with awareness of and attention to other’s needs.

🌟 David Brody, Meredith Homin, & James Johnson, Spirit of Teamwork Award
Awarded to a person with a positive attitude, willingness to do what needs to be done.

Check out our Care Coordination leadership team! 🌟 They recently spent time in Lake Placid at the Care Management Conference learning how the Mohawk Opportunities staff can continue to support individuals with chronic mental illness.

Mohawk Opportunities stands proudly with the LGBTQ+ community this June as we celebrate Pride Month and every other day! 🏳️‍🌈

We honor the invaluable resilience, courage, and diversity of the LGBTQ+ community and recognize the ongoing fight for equality and acceptance. Let's continue to support one another and work together to eliminate stigma in EVERY community.

Happy Pride Month! 🌈

Art has proven to be a powerful tool in mental health treatment. 🎨 Engaging in artistic activities, such as painting, helps individuals to process complex emotions, manage stress, and improve self-awareness. Moreover, the act of creating art can boost self-esteem and provide a sense of accomplishment, making it a valuable addition to traditional mental health therapies.

This Memorial Day, Mohawk Opportunities honors the courage and sacrifice of those who have served our nation. 🇺🇸We recognize the unique challenges faced by veterans, especially those battling mental health issues, and reaffirm our commitment to providing resources to help everyone achieve mental wellness.

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and at Mohawk Opportunities, we're dedicated to breaking the stigma around mental health. 💚 This month, we encourage everyone to take a moment to learn about mental health, reach out for support if needed, and share your own stories.

Together, we can build a community that supports mental wellness and empowers those on their journey to recovery. Join us in spreading awareness and hope—because mental health matters to us all.

Running to "eRace" the Stigma! 👟 Our team participated in the CDPHP Workforce Challenge last week — both in-person in downtown Albany and virtually. This is a great way for us to get outside and get active and a powerful way to share our message: Mental health matters. 💚

Our team won first place in the t-shirt contest in the category of "Most Motivational!" This recognition highlights the significance of mental health awareness and our community's passion for dismantling the stigma.

Congratulations to all who participated in the Workforce Challenge! 🌟

Our team at Mohawk Opportunities proudly wore green to honor Mental Health Awareness Month! 💚 Sporting this vibrant color, we stand united in our mission to support and empower individuals with mental health diagnoses, fostering a community where stigma is eradicated and every individual can thrive.

Join us in spreading awareness and hope—because together, we make a stronger, healthier community.

Reminder 🌟 Join us for "Innovative Strategies in Mental Health in Our Communities," a virtual panel discussion to highlight and explore creative and cutting-edge solutions that address mental health challenges within our community! 💚

Email Janeen at [email protected] to register!

👉 Thursday, May 23, 2024
👉 12:00 to 1:00 pm
👉 Virtual Event on Zoom: This event is complimentary, but registration is required.

Meditation and mindfulness can help reduce anxiety and bring a sense of calm to your busy day. 💚 Here is a quick, one-minute meditation you can visit when you're starting your work day, diving into a big project, and facing a challenge. Bookmark it in your browser to revisit it time and time again!

Mini meditations | Get more from your workout Warm up before your next gym session with this short meditation.................................................................................................

Happy Nurses Week to the RNs on the Mohawk Opportunities team! 🤩 From caring for clients' physical needs to educating them about nutrition and everything in between, our nurses work to ensure our clients live quality lives and receive the care they need. Thank you to our RNs for serving your community in such an impactful way!

Join us for a virtual panel discussion to highlight and explore creative and cutting-edge solutions that address mental health challenges within our community! 💚 We have an amazing panel of speakers from various organizations across Schenectady, including Mohawk Opportunities Director of Care Management Molly Malone.

Email Janeen at [email protected] to register!

👉 Thursday, May 23, 2024
👉 12:00 to 1:00 pm
👉 Virtual Event on Zoom: This event is complimentary, but registration is required.

We are disappointed to announce that our Mental Health Awareness event, originally planned for Wednesday evening, has been rescheduled. We are working with our talented speaker to identify a new date and time; additional information is forthcoming. 💚

Please DM us with any questions or concerns. Thank you for your understanding!

Members of our team recently met with New York State legislators and/or their staff as part of the Association for Community Living's annual Legislative Day to advocate for funding increases to be included in NYS’s budget so agencies like Mohawk Opportunities can keep up with the increases in the cost of living and pay our staff better wages. This is critical to meet the needs of older residents while supporting our clients and team members' quality of life.

The photo features (left to right) Katie McGlynn, Senior Director of Residential Services; Steve Klein, CEO; Chelsea Costanzo, Program Director; and Naeco Rodriguez, Assistant Program Director.

Please join us in wishing a very happy retirement to Dianne Ham, Office of Mental Health (OMH) Program Specialist II with the Hudson River Field Office! 💚 Diane has worked for New York State for 32 years, and specifically with Mohawk Opportunities for the past seven years as our OMH liaison doing our targeted recertifications, consulting with us on challenging cases, and providing support around implementing new initiatives. We can't thank Diane enough for your dedication over these past several decades — she will be missed by all of us here at MO!

Diane is pictured here on the left, accompanied by Mohawk Opportunities Sr. Director of Residential Services Katie McGlynn.

Happy Administrative Professionals Day to our incredible team of admins at Mohawk Opportunities, some of whom are featured here! 🌟 Your hard work, dedication, and unwavering support keep us running smoothly every day. We are immensely grateful for all you do and are thrilled to celebrate you! 💚

Happy Earth Day! 🌍 Today, our dedicated team is celebrating by giving back to our planet and our community. We’re sprucing up the surroundings of two of our community residences, ensuring our Certified Apartment Program homes are as welcoming and clean as the support we provide. These homes play a pivotal role in aiding adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses in their journey towards independent living. 🌱

Register today for the first presentation in our Mental Health Event Series! 🌟 We will be joined by Author, Emotional Intelligence coach, and mental health educator Natasha A. Pierre for her keynote, "Community Wellness: Uniting Against Mental Health Stigma."

Learn More & Register 👉 https://loom.ly/OrtePWE

Join our team! 🌟 We are hiring an Apartment Counselor. In this role, you can make a difference by providing supportive counseling to adults who have a psychiatric diagnosis in the Schenectady community. Learn more and apply on our website at https://mohawkopportunities.org/employment/