Batavia Counselors' Collaboration launches #togetherWECAN Campaign

A simple desire to help the community weather the COVID-19 pandemic has morphed into a much bigger and valuable collaboration.

Maria Kuhn of Kuhn Counseling Center expressed her idea about collaborating with other counselors to a Batavia Chamber of Commerce staffer during a phone call last spring.

Once connections and conversations were made by the Batavia Chamber of Commerce, this idea took off.

By the beginning of May, six Batavia counselors, along with Batavia Chamber CEO/President Margaret Perreault and BATV Executive Director Jen Brens were meeting every Friday via Zoom.

Together, they formed the Batavia Counselors' Collaboration.

The group's main goal is to provide resources and guidance to individuals and agencies that are overwhelmed, overstressed and not sure how to manage life during these uncertain times.

The group started a Facebook page (@BataviaCounselorsCollaboration), and is recording and sharing videos and informational resources to help individuals cope with anxiety - starting with its "#togetherWECAN" campaign.

After discovering that no one organization had a substantial list of area mental health resources, the group compiled the Kane County Area Resources Guide. The downloadable PDF is available on their Facebook page and via mail.

If anyone has other suggestions for the guide, contact Mary Anne Callahan at mcallahan@kuhncounselingcenter.com.

"I am impressed by all the resources that these compassionate and thoughtful counselors are giving to the community," Perreault said. "By launching the #togetherWECAN campaign, we hope mindsets shift to the positive, an important step to relieve anxiety and successfully cope with challenges. The simple fact that these counselors are so concerned about their fellow community members to extensively invest their expertise and time in this endeavor is heartening."

Members of the Batavia Counselors' Collaboration are available to meet with and present to area leaders and groups.

These members include Cheryl Denz, Riverview Counseling Services Ltd.; Matthew Goles, Prairie Wellness Counseling Center, PC; Brent Horlock, Horlock Therapeutic Counseling; Jamie Kruse, Jkruse Therapy Services; Maria E.J. Kuhn, Kuhn Counseling Center, PC; Mary Anne Callahan, Kuhn Counseling Center, PC; Margaret Perreault, Batavia Chamber of Commerce; and Jen Brens, BATV.

For more information, go to www.facebook.com/BataviaCounselorsCollaboration/ or email Mary Anne Callahan at mcallahan@kuhncounselingcenter.com.

A local business-centered organization, the Batavia Chamber of Commerce sponsors or is involved with several annual Batavia events, including the annual Mayor's Breakfast, Citizen of the Year/Ole Awards Event, and more. Membership information or upcoming chamber and community events are available online at bataviachamber.org or by calling (630) 879-7134.