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Together We Can CHQ will host several events as part of Chautauqua County Overdose Awareness Week from Aug. 25 to Aug. 31.
Throughout the week, the community is invited to participate in themed activities at several local events culminating in the county's observance of International Overdose Awareness Day on Aug. 31.
Together We Can CHQ is a community-driven overdose awareness coalition dedicated to fostering hope, healing, connection and compassion. Through its Be the Light Initiatives, the coalition works to fight stigma, support recovery, honor lives, and strengthen the community through education, advocacy, harm reduction, and meaningful connection.
While the coalition's work is rooted in Chautauqua County, every Overdose Awareness Week initiative is officially registered through the International Overdose Awareness Day Campaign, connecting local efforts to the world's largest annual campaign dedicated to preventing overdose, reducing stigma, honoring lives lost, and supporting individuals and families affected by substance use.
Several community buildings, listed below, will be participating by "Keeping the Light On," illuminating their buildings purple to recognize this observance. Community members are encouraged to participate by wearing the daily themes, visiting buildings illuminated in purple, taking photos with coworkers, friends, family members, classrooms, or organizations, and sharing them on Facebook and Instagram while tagging Together We Can CHQ.
Participants in "Keeping the Light On" are: Mayville Village Clerk's Office, 1 S. Erie St.; the Depot, 16 Water St., Mayville; Jamestown City Hall; Dunkirk City Hall; and the Dunkirk Police Department.
Daily themes include:
– Monday, Aug. 25: Challenge the Stigma: wear recovery or mental health apparel.
– Tuesday, Aug. 26: Peace Out to Accidental Overdose, wear tie-dye.
– Wednesday, Aug. 27: Band Together, wear a favorite band or concert T-shirt.
– Thursday, Aug. 28: Glow for Awareness, wear neon or bright colors.
– Friday, Aug. 29: Be the Light, wear purple or a Together We Can CHQ shirt.
– Saturday, Aug. 30: Let's Team Together, wear a favorite sports team's apparel or jersey.
– Sunday, Aug. 31: International Overdose Awareness Day, wear purple, honor those who have passed, celebrate recovery and join communities around the world in raising awareness and inspiring hope.
The signature event of Overdose Awareness Week is the third annual Be the Light: Anyone Can Save a Life, taking place on Saturday, Aug. 29, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the lower pavilion in Point Gratiot Park in Dunkirk.
Be the Light combines education, prevention, remembrance, family activities and community connection into one evening designed to reduce stigma, build hope, and bring lifesaving resources directly to the people who need them.
Event highlights include a community resource fair featuring local organizations, live music by Miranda Wilcox, community yoga led by Dyann Bourne of Reborne Wellness, stories of hope and recovery, children’s activities, face painting, games and prizes. Evergreen Health will provide free opioid overdose prevention education, naloxone (Narcan) training, harm reduction resources, and medication disposal education. Chautauqua County Sheriff James Quattrone will present information about New York State’s 911 Good Samaritan Law. The evening will also include food, a basket raffle and 50/50 fundraiser, and freshly pressed Together We Can CHQ event T-shirts available for purchase.
As the evening concludes, attendees will gather for a community remembrance vigil led by the Rev. Jim LaBarr of Harvest Chapel. The ceremony will include a moment of silence, prayer and a purple glow wand tribute honoring the lives of those lost to accidental overdose.
Together We Can CHQ's work extends throughout the year. The coalition offers free community opioid overdose prevention and naloxone trainings, is launching the Be the Light Grief Support Group in September for individuals grieving the loss of a loved one to substance use, and established the Be the Light Scholarship, which supports the continuing education and professional development of first responders throughout Chautauqua County. This year marks the awarding of the coalition's first scholarship.
Support and sponsorship has been provided by the Suicide Prevention Alliance of Chautauqua County, The Recovery Center of Niagara and Lakeside Medical Practice. The coalition meets monthly via Zoom on the second Thursday of each month and welcomes new members.