Mohawk Opportunities is a leader and pioneer in providing services to people living with mental illness.
COMING SOON…..
A Message From Steve Klein, CEO
Welcome to Mohawk Opportunities!
As spring arrives, we renew our commitment to providing essential mental health services in the communities we support. Mohawk Opportunities continues to expand and enhance our programs, ensuring that individuals experiencing mental illness receive the services they need to thrive and achieve their full potential.
We are excited to announce that we have full approval to move ahead with Mohawk Heights, which will be our newest residential program. Mohawk Heights will provide homes for 34 individuals, each with their own single room occupancy (SRO) studio apartment in a newly constructed building with many amenities. In addition to living in a beautiful building, individuals will receive person-centered, rehabilitative services designed to promote recovery and help them acquire the skills needed to achieve the highest level of independence possible.
Additionally, Mohawk Opportunities is honored to receive an award from the New York State Office of Mental Health (OMH) to establish a Forensic Assertive Community Treatment (FACT) team in Schenectady and Albany counties. We were one of only seven organizations in the state to be awarded a FACT team. This initiative will bring vital community-based mental health services to individuals involved in the criminal justice system who need intensive support. The FACT team will provide comprehensive, wraparound services to help individuals transition successfully into the community, reduce recidivism, and improve their quality of life.
In other news, get ready for an inspiring event on May 21st at Doubletree by Hilton, Schenectady, as we welcome Natasha Pierre, Author and Mental Health Educator. Natasha will speak about “Community Wellness: Uniting Against Mental Health Stigma.” This event is an incredible opportunity for community members, mental health professionals, and supporters to come together for a meaningful conversation on the importance of mental health awareness. Please visit our web page to register or click on this link: https://www.mohawkopportunities.org/events
As you can see, there’s a lot to celebrate at Mohawk Opportunities! Our work would not be possible without the generosity and dedication of our sponsors, supporters, community partners, board members, and especially our dedicated staff. Your commitment helps us continue to provide essential services, fight the stigma associated with mental health, and empower individuals on their paths to recovery.
As we move forward into spring, we invite you to stay connected, get involved, and help us make a lasting impact on the lives of those we serve. Follow us on social media and visit our website for updates on our programs, events, and ways to contribute.
Warm regards,
Steve Klein, CEO
Client Story - Gary
This story was written by MJ St John with permission from Gary.
Gary has struggled with mental illness since he was a young child. He had trouble in school, finding it difficult to focus or concentrate. He knew he was different, but he did not receive any help at that time. To relieve his symptoms, he turned to drug use. Abuse of drugs is a common form of coping when you are not getting help or services.
Gary has lived at a MICA (Mentally Ill Chemical Abuser) house and then at an apartment in the Lexington Apartment Program. He left the apartment program to live with his brother and sister-in-law, which was not a good situation, and his mental illness was not addressed during that time. Three years ago, Gary went to the hospital for mental health help. While there, someone from Dominion House invited him for a dinner visit and asked him if he would like to come there to live. Dominion House is a crisis residence that offers individuals a safe place to stay as they stabilize. Gary was there for 4 months and then transferred to Emmanuel House (EH), a community residence.
While at EH, Gary was told it could take 3 to 5 years to achieve independence and stability, but he moved to the group home at 1574 Union Street in June 2024 after just 1.5 years. At 1574, Gary takes his medication independently and has one of the two available training apartments. Jesse, the Program Director of 1574 told me (while painting a flower pot for Earth Day 🙂) that he took the job with Mohawk in part because of the training apartments and the opportunity to witness real success in the lives of the clients living in them. Gary still comes upstairs for meals and socializing, but he has his space to get away. The purpose of the training apartments is to have the clients experience independence, see how they handle it, and eventually transition to the Certified Apartment Program or Supported Housing. I asked Gary, “What do you think is the secret to your success managing your mental illness?” Gary answered that it is the Mohawk Opportunities program and staff.
Life for Gary at 1574 is peaceful. He says the staff are great and always available to talk to. Gary is learning how to recreate how he thinks, to not let old patterns take over. Gary is very proud of the fact he has made so much progress and has been sober for 20 years. I can’t help but be proud of him as well, and I told him so.
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