Welcome to Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc.
Our vision is a society in which
- Our peers have the opportunity to participate in all policy decisions that may impact their lives.
- Our peers are free to explore & promote alternatives to the traditional mental health system.
- All communities are welcoming and supportive of our peers.
- There are opportunities for our peers to share their gifts with others.
- Our peers have access to inclusion in communities of their choice.
- Our peers have a more powerful voice.
The Peer Networking Group of Central New York, Inc. was begun in 1997 by a handful of dedicated individuals who wanted to help their peers gain knowledge about the mental health system and related social services. There was no model for them to follow so they blazed their own trail.
Through the years, the organization stayed true to its purpose – to touch and improve lives of individuals who were consumers, survivors or ex-patients of the mental health services. PNG is providing a safe and comfortable setting for peers, providers of services and community to exchange ideas and information as equals.
Today Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc. is an incorporated non-profit organization. We are a member of NYAPRS & CCSNYS. We are evolving with time to meet the ever changing needs of peers and the mental health community in a most effective and efficient way.
Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc. conducts monthly meetings where people of different backgrounds come to the table to share their ideas and work in partnership to address issues facing peers in particular, and the mental health community in general. We encourage understanding, compassion and diversity among participants. Attendees suggest topics and speakers. An impressive group of people freely gives its time, knowledge and expertise to further the cause of networking information. Peers, county officials, and NYS Office of Mental Health staff have all presented in their particular areas of expertise.
There is always a question & answer period to clarify specifics. Many people report they left their first meeting feeling connected to their peers and the community for the first time in their lives! Attendees return to their communities taking with them new information, which they can then share with others. That knowledge empowers the next person. When we learn to help ourselves we can begin to help others.
The meetings allow the participants to:
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Network, gather and exchange information.
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Utilize personal experiences to help others navigate existing system and other alternatives.
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Foster development of self-determination and leadership capabilities
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Provide mentorship, support and awareness to empower individuals to act independently in and contribute to their communities.
PNG meetings are generally held on the first Thursday of every month. We meet at the Central New York Developmental Services Office Building, 800 S. Wilbur Avenue, 3rd Floor "Town Hall" auditorium. Located next to the Onondaga ARC, adjacent to Rosemond Gifford Zoo. CNY/DSO is located directly across the street from the George Fowler High School, next to the Onondaga ARC, adjacent to Rosemond Gifford Zoo. For more information on our meeting dates and topics, please, visit our Meetings page. For directions visit our Directions page.
We invite any interested parties to attend one of our meetings to learn more about Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc. If you would like more information about our meetings or organization, please, Contact Us.
Referral & Education
Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc. has a large database of organizations that may be useful for peers as well as other members of the community. If we are unable to provide you with a particular service, we can help you to find out who can.
Partnership with peer organizations, mental health providers, county and state officials, and other community organizations allows PNG to provide educational presentations on various topics - from Social Security Issues to Pet Therapy. Our monthly Newsletter and Website www.peernetworkinggroup.com are great resources for anyone interested in peer and community activities and the mental health system. We also have representatives available to speak about PNG and educate the society on issues facing peers.
County Initiatives
Peer Networking Group serves twenty counties of Central New York ( Broome, Cayuga, Chenango, Clinton, Cortland, Delaware, Essex, Franklin, Fulton, Hamilton, Herkimer, Jefferson, Lewis, Madison, Montgomery, Oneida, Onondaga, Oswego, Otsego, and St. Lawrence). We provide information regarding activities in the counties via county representatives at our meetings and media as well as support peer initiatives whenever is possible.
We are currently providing Community Access
& Support Trainings for all individuals in the 20 counties of CNY, in order to
solicit people that are interested in working in all or any the following
capacities, as volunteers:
These volunteer positions will be supported by the Community Support & Access Trainings, as well as by the Community Access Directory, which is in its final stages of completion. It is the hope that these trainings and volunteer positions will prepare people for paid employment in a field of choice.
If you want to share any information about your county or how Peer Networking Group of CNY, Inc. can serve your county, please Contact Us.
Public Policy Initiatives
We are working on collecting information regarding Mental Health public policy issues and informing peers and other parties regarding those issues, so they can make informed decisions and participate in the development of policies that can influence their lives.
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Broome
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Franklin
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Montgomery |
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