Schoharie Library Celebrates Community Helpers and Summer Reading Program Accomplishments

SCHOHARIE - Schoharie Library confirmed, “Jessica Whitney of the Cancer Services Program (CSP) organized this whole event, she is amazing!” The Basset Healthcare Network program offers free breast, cervical, and colorectal cancer screenings and can cover follow-up costs (usually within 90 days of services). According to Whitney (Public Education & Community Outreach Coordinator),  to qualify for their assistance you must be a NYS resident, meet age requirements, and be uninsured or underinsured. Approved screenings usually take place where you normally see your provider. You can be directed to your corresponding CSP county branch through 1-866-442-CANCER.

Bassett Research Institute and URMC Wilmot Liaison Melinda Robinson demonstrating the dangers of smoking with pig lungs. Lungs on the left have cancerous nobs students can observe and compare to the healthy lungs on the right. Robinson said, “Getting the message out to the kids, ‘don’t even start (smoking).’ It’s my favorite part of my job, teaching the kids. In collaboration with the University of Rochester Medical Center, anyone living in the Bassett area is eligible to participate in a FREE smoking cessation program,” to receive text message support and nicotine replacement therapy (available in English and Spanish).  Email melinda.robinson@bassett.org, call 585-504-9461, or text for Help Quit Smoking “WILMOT” to 63141. Robinson also shared, “Sadly, cancer touches us all these days; whether we battle it ourselves or we know someone that does.” Stressing the importance of knowing when you are due to begin each screening. For example, women in their 20’s already need to start thinking about cervical cancer screening.

Helios Care Director of Development & Marketing, Kathryn Dailey, with Jamine Bouton, who attended the Fair to collect resources for her Eastern Region Bassett contacts, and to say thank you for how Helios Care has impacted her life. Helios is an independent, nonprofit of 43 years offering Hospice & Palliative Care. Dailey said, “What I want people to know is that we’re here for them when they think maybe mom needs some help, or dad didn’t look so good last time you were home for whatever reason, give us a call.” 24/7 at 607-432-6773. Hospice care isn’t just for end-of life and can be helpful for promoting years of quality time for patients with their friends and family, Caregiver support and dignity in patient care, compassion, and choices. They explain identifiers and what they can help with including in-person and virtual support groups, grief support, 5 Wishes booklet with will and pre-planning documentation, and in-home help from Home Health Aides that Dailey said many describe as, “angels.” Some help offered is covered by insurance, and some isn’t, so they fundraise. Oct 10th at 7 PM will be the Grand Oneonta Opry 2025 at Foothills Performing Arts & Civic Center; get tickets at the door or at HeliosCare.org/events. They also host annual holiday events that can be found on their website (helioscare.org), like the annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot that has become a beloved family tradition with 950 participants last year. Bouton expressed that the grief counseling they offer has helped her so much, and they are currently helping her mother-in-law not, “Feel like that weight is all on her,” with hospice care. Dailey was touched to know they are helping and said another family called their services a, “’Transformation’, because we come in, we assess the situation, we help the Caregivers, we help the patients, we have HHA’s come in and the caregiver gets that hour to go play in the garden, etc. They can call at 2 am with questions  and have a sense someone’s there helping you. It changes everything.”

These Community Helper organizations are here for you: Healthy Families Montgomery  & Schoharie Counties Programs of ICAN, SCCAP, The Gathering Place, CDPHP, Silver Sneakers, NAMI, Catholic Charities, Schoharie County Office for the Aging, The Schoharie County Department of Health, Fidelis Care, The Schoharie County Youth Bureau, Stamford Wellness Center, Cornell Cooperative Extension, Catskill Center for Independence, and your local libraries. 

SCHOHARIE — On August 19th , Schoharie Library hosted a Health & Wellness Fair and the Summer Reading  Program Wrap-Up Party. The Schoharie County Youth Bureau ran games while bubbles flew over kids making colorful sidewalk chalk art & traversed through karaoke singers’ airwaves. Even Librarian & Director Yvonne Keller-Baker and daughter Callie joined in on the karaoke fun! Snacks included watermelon slices & make-your-own ice cream sundaes, & everywhere you looked you were greeted by a friendly face.

Schoharie Library Program Director Jennie Mosher expressed, “A lot of people don’t realize that we have all these organizations and services here.” Many agreed, and Health & Wellness Fair representatives invite you to learn how they can be of service:

The Schoharie County Department of Health has a new Community Hub Youth Group giving 7th – 12th graders opportunities to volunteer, educate, and more; contact Elizabeth Kosier at 518-295-8365 or email elizabeth.kosier@schohariecounty-ny.gov to join. They also offer car seat training & access to income-eligible families and check car seat installation for anyone. “No one should go without or use one that’s expired.” Call 518-295-8765 and ask for Megan or email megan.haugh@schohariecounty-ny.gov.

Cornell Cooperative Extension’s Energy Educator, Michaela Fisher, helps, “People make sure their homes are safe, comfortable, and energy efficient,” by connecting residents to eligible government programs for help with things including insulation, air sealing, electrical paneling upgrades, & heat pumps. For weatherization workshops & education on using door sweeps, weather stripping, plastic for windows, & helpful Fall DIYs, contact Fisher at 518-234-4303 x114 or email maf396@cornell.edu.

Catholic Charities recognizes, “human need at all stages of life, responds to all persons regardless of race, creed or lifestyle.” Their 24/7 crisis hotline for domestic violence it’s 518-234-2231. They recently moved to 1455 State Route 7 in Richmondville and you can call 518-234-3581 to be directed for volunteer services now including help with case management, grocery shopping, and transportation for seniors 60 plus. Volunteer Coordinator, Jennifer Bullard, and Morgan Cornell (Domestic Violence Department), pointed out their Dispute Resolution Center, Food Pantry, Rapid Re-Housing, Summer Food Service Program, and SNAP application assistance. www.charitiesccdos.org.

CDPHP health insurance representatives Kiran Roy and Jean were answering questions and promoting health with resources like their, “Be Your Own Health Hero!” sheet about the importance of annual visits with your primary care provider. More information can be found at cdphp.com. Cdphp.com/members/wellness includes information on thriving with diabetes, controlling asthma, pregnancy support, fitness reimbursement eligibility, etc.

Fidelis Care, “Provides affordable health insurance coverage for individuals, children, and family in the community.” Community Relations Specialist Ashley Comini and Health Benefit Representative Robin Zimmermann shared phone number 1-888-343-3547 and website fideliscare.org. Zimmermann makes coverage easy and accessible to everyone in the County by offering appointment flexibility that can be scheduled in public spaces like McDonalds or the library. Zimmermann can be reached at 518-917-3545 or via email at robin.zimmermann@fideliscare.org.

SCCAP representatives Kelly Pitt and Becky Foland enthused about the many helpful programs they offer like Energy Services (Weatherization Assistance Program), Family Support and Resources (Child Care Resource Services  include CPR training), Community Services (HEAP, Food Pantry), Employment Services (resumes and cover letter preparation), and Women-infants-Children (nutrition program WIC). Their 2024 Impact Report cited their totals of $25,887 in energy cost savings and 633 hours of training  given to child care providers accomplished. Visit sccapinc.org and email admin@sccapinc.org.

Catskill Center for Independence is located in the Workforce Solution Center at 795 East Main Street – Suite 4, Cobleskill. Representatives Debbie Martin (Healthcare Navigator for NYS of Health-cell 607-778-0849), Joda Kearney, and Maria S. confirmed all services are free. Martin has been helping with applications and explaining how Medicaid, Child Health Plus, and Essential Plan options work for best medical and financial decisions in a quick process since The Marketplace opened 12 years ago and has helped almost 1,300 families. No referral process or medical diagnosis is needed and they’re available 8 AM- 4 PM in-office Mon./Wed./Fri. and by phone Tues. & Thurs. at their main number 607-432-8000. Services include ACES (Assisted Competitive Employment Services helping anybody with disabilities find employment and assist with independent living skills), NY Connects, Social Care Network, and Lending Closet loaned to those in need for free, and the organization is also accepting donations for this program of: shower benches & chairs, hospital beds, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, crutches, and commodes. “It’s a community,” shared Kearney.

Schoharie County Office for the Aging also offers a medical supplies Loan Closet. Jennifer Risse shared pride in helping the community she grew up in and noted, “There’s a lot of caregivers in our community that need a little extra support for the people that they’re caring for, so we’ve got a lot of programs for that.” Call 518-295-2001 for Caregivers and residents aged 60 and up for programs like EISEP (Expanded In-Home Services for the Elderly Program), which helps with in-home bathing and housekeeping chores, free or low cost depending on income, and is partially funded by County and State, “this is what taxpayers’ money is going towards is these programs to help better our community and offer those supports,” explained Risse. You can also call if you think someone you know may be struggling, doesn’t have heat, or needs a house call assessment. And call to RSVP for their upcoming events including Monthly Life Chat on Aug. 27th; 1 PM at The Gathering Place about Trualta (a website designed to support Caregivers), and September 19th’s  free partnering with the Alzheimer's Association at the County Office for the Aging, 113 Park Place Suite 3, Schoharie, from 10 AM-12 PM.

The Gathering Place is a not-for-profit at 127 Kenyon Road, Cobleskill, that hosts many organizations in addition to Schoharie County Office for the Aging for their visitors over 50. Nancy Becker said, “We’re like a big family,” and they are all about health and fitness offering resources, exercise and a variety of programs, health experts, crafts, and a space where people can come have a cup of coffee and not be by themselves from 9AM - 5 PM Mon. - Thurs., 9 AM  -4 PM Fri., and for Sat. classes. Becker shared, “It has saved so many lives. People have said to me, ‘I don’t know I’d do without this place.’ We welcome people to just come in and check us out and visit!” Website gatheringplace50plus.org has their full calendar of activities, and their Holiday Craft Show & Farmer’s Market is Sat. Nov. 15th 9 AM – 3 PM.

Silver Sneakers Flex Instructor, Alison Smith, works exclusively at The Gathering Place offering classes 6 days a week. Silver Sneakers are covered by some insurances, and those not covered only pay $5 per class. Among the variety of classes, Smith also offers a stability/how not to fall-focused 8-12 week program  and a health and fit challenge at the beginning of each year. Smith shares nutrition tips and reminds you to drink more water, walk, start with the basics, eat some protein, explaining, “I’m a big believer in staying healthy so that you don’t need all of the doctor stuff. So let’s just stay healthy, and let’s eat healthy. Let’s exercise and just do the things that we’re supposed to do, and it’s much easier to do it when there’s a room full of people that are like-minded as well, and so it’s a community kind of an effort.”  You can text 518-925-7177 or check in at The Gathering Place.

National Alliance of Mental Illness (NAMI) is an advocacy and education group and has had an official Schoharie County chapter since November and conducted an open house in May for Mental Health Awareness Month according to Jack Kohn. Kohn shared 1 in 5 people have mental illness and wants people with mental illness to know that there is help out there, sympathizing,  “It may seem harder yet to find it in rural areas, but the fact of the matter is it’s all over.” They offer family-to-family and peer-to-peer programs, Their helpline is 518-245-9160 and email namischoharie@gmail.com.

Stamford Wellness Center’s Executive Director, Cathy Popp-McKenna, also advocates for mental health options saying, “People are realizing that there’s no difference in mental health and physical health, and if you don’t have your mental health, it interferes with a lot you have to do in life.” The Center is grant-funded to offer low cost counseling on a $5 - $50 sliding scale fee that’s self-determined by their clients. Their location in a “Counseling desert in the northern part of the County”  is at 67 Main St., Stamford. Those not wanting in-person counseling can connect with them for sessions through Telehealth. Email swc12167@gmail.com or call 833-807-4059.

Healthy Families Montgomery  & Schoharie Counties Programs of ICAN representative Kari Montes explained they are a home-visiting program for prenatal and young families with an infant up to 3 months old. They offer new parent support, confidence, positive involvement, and skills, through education, resources, guidance, explanations of baby’s development & your feelings during pregnancy, referrals for programs like WIC, breastfeeding support, developmental milestone assessments, early intervention services, and services until children enter kindergarten, Head Start, or turn 5 years old. Website ican.family, 518-317-2553, and Program Manager Dr. Keiley Pfeiffer can be reached at 518-620-7054 or kpfeiffer@ican.family.

Department of Social Services Foster Unit Case Worker, Lynn Arthur, encourages anyone over 21 with financial stability and adequate housing interested in providing a safe, loving, and supportive home for children in our community by becoming a foster parent reach out at 518-295-8334 or fostercareschoharieco@dfa.state.ny.us, and keep an eye out for their Informational Night events.

Planned Parenthood of Greater NY was another organization that tabled, but was not allowed by their organization’s policies to give a media statement. Their website is ppgreaterny.org.