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Hispanic Heritage Month, Outreach Efforts Recognized Locally

County Executive Vince Horrigan delivers a speech during Chautauqua Adult Day Care Services’ Recognition of Hispanic Outreach celebration Wednesday. P-J Photo by Jordan W. Patterson

Chautauqua Adult Day Care Services hosted a recognition of Hispanic Outreach on Wednesday.

“We’re having a luncheon to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Executive Director Frank Bercik. “Right now, we just recently expanded our Hispanic Outreach to seniors program to southern Chautauqua County and our goal is to try and work more into the Latino community by providing interpretation and translation services for older adults.”

Bercik said while he wants to reach more diverse communities he also wants to increase diversity in the day program at Chautauqua Day Care Services.

Bercik believes work over the last few years has already shown signs of progress. He said that at least 10 percent of Chautauqua Adult Day Services is from a Latino community.

Chautauqua Adult Day Care Services has locations in Dunkirk, Westfield and Jamestown. The organization offers day care for senior citizens who can then continue living at home. The services began in northern Chautauqua County and has over the last few years expanded south.

“It’s Hispanic Heritage month so we want to make sure that they feel as comfortable as possible,” said Associate Director Karen Lucks.

The day program offers older individuals a welcoming place to go visit during the day.

“They get supervision, they get nutrition and case-management services and our goal is to give caregivers a break and at the same time give older adults a meaningful program to go to during the day to help them remain at home rather than have them go into a nursing home or get assisted living or have other levels of care in the home,” Bercik said.

The celebration featured Hispanic-related food, music and dancing. “It’s just a day of celebration,” Lucks said.

County Executive Vince Horrigan attended and delivered a proclamation Wednesday. Horrigan spoke to the Hispanic Heritage attendees and highlighted the best aspects of Chautauqua Adult Day Care Services.

“It’s always great to be back here in one of the organizations that has truly done great work for such an important part of our community — our seniors,” Horrigan said. “With Hispanic Heritage Month, reaching out to our Hispanic population is something that I have really found so important through my time as a county executive.”

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