Guest:  Michelle Wnek

Topic:  The Renewal Center

Duration:  5:40

Published:  August 12, 2021

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Michelle Wnek, Engagement and Outreach Coordinator at The Renewal Center, and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program, Michelle.

Guest:  Thank you.

Host:  We're delighted to have you.

Guest:  Thank you, I’m delighted to be here.

Host:  And I'm willing to bet that as valuable the services it provides, there’s probably somebody listening this morning that's not familiar with the good work of The Renewal Center. And when they think of diversion, they probably think of something to while away their time having fun, but you do a whole different kind of diversion. Can you tell us what you do?

Guest:  Sure. Well, first of all The Renewal Center is part of the WNYIL Center family of agencies as part of the Mental Health PEER Connection (MHPC). And by diversion, it's a hospital diversion program, a great crisis program and our services include professional nursing access, medical and non-medical services linkages, community support access, peer support, tools for support and wellness maintenance. At the Renewal Center our mission is to provide a safe and supportive and nonjudgmental environment and empowers those who are struggling with the principles of wellness and recovery. It's for those who are 18 years of age and older, living in Erie County. It's a free program. It is open every day from 3:00 to 11:00 including holidays. Free transportation is provided up until 9:30, and it's a person-centered program. It opened in 2018 as a hospital diversion program, it’s very effective because there's only been one person who's had to go to CPEP, the ECMC psychiatric emergency room. And all services are free to you it's funded by the Erie County Department of Mental Health, and it's run by the MHPC and Housing Options Made Easy. All information is confidential, we have free telehealth services, and it's located at 327 Elm Street, Buffalo, NY, 14203. You can reach them at 716-245-4200.

Host:  You really have all your facts, all together, don't you! I think that The Renewal Center is probably unique in that throughout the COVID 19 pandemic, you continued to maintain in person visiting hours, because you know that people who have a crisis on a mental health sort have need of you no matter what else is happening in the community. Let me ask you this, your to help keep people from the necessity of going to emergency rooms unnecessarily. How many mental health professionals does the typical emergency room have 24-7?

Guest:  A typical emergency room, they have a full staff. But that's, we try to avoid that because it can be a difficult time being in the hospital emergency room. We try to provide support for people with mental health and addictions, and yes, we did stay open during COVID, because that can be a very difficult time for people. Numbers were lower, but we still have telehealth services, and people are coming in more and you don't have to have an appointment, you can just walk in or you can call.

Host:  This is delightful and I believe that a lot of people with mental health issues have tended to have issues from prior run ins with institutions, and I imagine the ability to simply discuss your problems with a peer is a welcome alternative for many people.

Guest:  Oh yes, absolutely, and we provide linkages. As peers we've been there and we understand and we provide a light in the darkness to medical and non-medical and holistic services, like the MHPC which provides a lot of great services to people, to counselors. The MHPC has a housing program and peer counseling and advocacy and benefits advisement and that's all I have for today.

Host:  Which is good because we're just about out of time. If you could remind people again of the number to call to get more information.

Guest:  Sure can, 716-245-4200.

Host:  Thanks so much for being with us, Michelle.

Guest:  You're welcome.

Host:  You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest today was Michelle Wnek, Engagement and Outreach Coordinator at The Renewal Center and your hosts was yours truly, Ernie Churchwell.