Dear Friend,
On behalf of the board of directors of YES Community Counseling Center, we would like to recognize and thank you for your participation at our Massapequa Talks Community Forum. As you know, the issues and concerns relating to underage drinking and drug use and abuse continue to take a profound toll on our community.
The evening was certainly a reminder that this is a critical issue affecting each of us, albeit in many different ways. We would like to thank you for being respectful, kind, and courageous, for sharing your pain and heartache, and for offering your insight and compassion toward your neighbors. You addressed problems th
at need to be looked at, and provided some thoughts as to how we might do that. And, even as the clock ticked past our scheduled end time, you all patiently sat, listened and supported one another. Certainly, if we learned something, it was that we are a community with tremendous heart, compassion, and conviction.
There were so many important issues that were presented on Thursday. From the pain of loss to the tragedy of being in the throes of addiction, or the recovery from its aftermath, the list of topics was plentiful. The frustrations due to the lack of comprehensive legislation and enforcement, a lack of training and teaching within the medical profession, coupled with the oftentimes chaotic and burdensome world of insurance companies and eligibility became painstakingly clear as the testimony went on. Adding to that, many expressed concerns related to hospital and residential treatment facilities and an inability to access affordable services for themselves or someone they loved.
While we have much to do, the fabric of our community is strong and quite capable. When we work together, we are unstoppable. As we develop our next steps, we hope you will stay by our sides to help and offer your insight. We will keep you informed about opportunities to contribute, coordinate efforts, and if needed, provide support and assistance. We will also provide updates on our Facebook page and web pages, so please ‘like’ and share the information. You will be receiving an email in the upcoming days from the Massapequa Takes Action (MTA) Coalition. MTA partnered with YES for this forum. Initially funded through the Massapequa School District and currently also supported by the NYS Office of Substance Abuse Services, the coalition seeks to address the problems related to opiate and heroin use in our community. This coalition is being built to represent your voice and address the issues that you identify. To reach out or to become a member of MTA, contact Peggy O’Connell at massapequatakesaction@yesccc.org or call 516-799-3000.
Please know how much we appreciate you taking time to be a part of this conversation. We will be planning new opportunities and doing our best to respond to your feedback. If you have any questions or need help for yourself or someone else, please reach out to us. We can be reached at 799-3203 or email us at info@yessccc.org. So, thank you again for caring enough to make your voice heard. We look forward to collectively making our community healthier and stronger.
Sincerely,
Jamie E. Bogenshutz, LCSW, CASAC
Executive Director
YES Community Counseling Center
