The Baltic Navigator

Baltic Navigator: December 2024

Baltic Street Wellness Solutions is delighted to bring you the inaugural edition of our bi-monthly newsletter!

In the ever-changing landscape of the mental health field, our nonprofit organization remains at the forefront of high–quality person-centered support. Our peer-led programs continue to expand, broadening our reach to hundreds of individuals embarking on their wellness and recovery journeys. 

The Baltic Navigator is tailored to the many New Yorkers we serve, as well as our outstanding community partners who share our mission of providing unwavering advocacy and holistic support to eliminate barriers to mental health and social care. Each newsletter edition will showcase program announcements and events around our agency. We will also weigh in on any changes and developments that take place regarding pay equity and equitable retirement options for peer support workers who are so crucial to the mental health field. 

We’ll proudly spotlight the dedicated staff of Baltic Street Wellness Solutions who are at the heart of our mission to transform lives and increase health equity for underserved communities across New York City. The lived experiences of our staff and program participants inspire us every day, and we hope to inspire YOU with their stories of resilience, empowerment, and hope!

A Message from Our CEO   

Dear Friends,

As I look back on this year, I am filled with tremendous pride. We hit the ground running in January, coming off the incredible momentum of our 1st Annual Symposium. The success of that event helped to further establish us as one of the true leaders in the peer services space. And we haven’t looked back.

In April, I was honored to be interviewed by NYN Media about the life-changing impact of peer-led services. That helped to kick off future media mentions, including an article in The Brooklyn Paper spotlighting our 2024 Symposium. As awareness about our agency continues to grow, we are on the road to becoming a household name in the mental health landscape. The more people know about us, the more people we can potentially help.

This year, I, along with my amazing executive team, devoted quality time to attending and presenting at conferences in the peer support field, so we can continue to share and expand our knowledge as thought leaders. The work we do is more important than ever to educate legislators about the ways person-centered support can transform the lives of individuals living with a severe mental health diagnosis. With the right amount of empathy, compassion, and resources, individuals can lead bright, fulfilling lives in the community.

At Baltic Street, we’ve always been committed to providing community resources to help vulnerable New Yorkers thrive. A shining example of that is our Resource and Wellness Center, which we recently reopened and renamed the Isaac Brown Healing & Arts Center. Losing Isaac was a devastating time for us this past summer. Isaac was not just my predecessor, he was my dear friend. His legacy will live on through the Center, as community members gather together at our workshops to embrace their creative self-expression. In addition to re-opening the doors to our Center, we officially introduced our INSET Program with an exciting ribbon-cutting commemorating what we hope will be a new beginning for many on their path towards recovery and community reintegration. We remain grateful to Governor Kathy Hochul for selecting Baltic Street as the only New York City agency to be awarded the grant to fund INSET services

2ND ANNUAL SYMPOSIUM RECAP

Addressing Loneliness and Forging Connections at our 2nd Annual Symposium

On November 6, more than 200 peer specialists, community partners, staff, and Board members attended our 2nd Annual Symposium at BRIC in Brooklyn. The event’s theme, “Unlocking the Power of Community: Addressing Loneliness,” struck a particular chord as New Yorkers awoke to the 2024 election results.

Baltic Street Wellness Solutions CEO Taina Martinez-Laing encouraged attendees to embrace the safe space of the Symposium while acknowledging the election and praised attendees who came to be unified. “Our work is more important than ever,” Taina said.

While setting the stage for a day of learning and community connections, Taina discussed the impact of social health. “Social health is essential to our holistic well-being,” she pointed out. “Enhancing one’s social health is a key part of the work that peer specialists do. Together, let’s create a society where social health is valued.”

The Symposium’s Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Jonathan P. Edwards, a Program Consultant with the New York City Department of Mental Health and Hygiene and a key figure in the development of the peer workforce, offered eye-opening statistics on the health ramifications associated with social isolation. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, disconnection fundamentally impacts a person’s mental, physical, and societal health. Loneliness and isolation also increase the risk of premature death by more than 60%.

“People’s desire for connection simmers with hope,” Dr. Edwards said. “The goal of this Symposium is to foster the spirit of access and give people a sense of belonging.”

The INSET Program continues to provide a lifeline to individuals facing complex mental health challenges. Part of Gov. Kathy Hochul’s $1 billion mental health initiative – and the only program of its kind to receive funding in New York City – INSET provides comprehensive, personalized support to guide individuals toward recovery and resilience, including those with severe mental health diagnoses who are struggling to navigate the mental health system and receive
access to treatment.

“One of the reasons we were awarded this grant is that we have almost 30 years of experience rendering person-centered, peer-based services,” Mark said. “With this unique model – intensive supports – peers are uniquely positioned to provide a different sort of care. More and more, decision-makers are realizing that peers can bring another level of support that can provide more holistic support to those who need it. We want to strengthen our participants to advocate for themselves, advocate for their needs and wants, and most of all, advocate in the process of their treatment.”

Commenting on INSET’S Grand Opening, Charles Benson, INSETS Program Manager, said, “It was an unforgettable celebration of collaboration, creativity, and community. Partnering with the Isaac Brown Healing & Arts Center team, we showcased the incredible talents and leadership of our peers. From the vibrant live band and delicious catered food to the stunning red carpet and elegant decorations, every detail reflected the hard work and dedication of everyone involved. Each team member played a vital role, contributing their unique skills to create an experience that will be cherished by all who attended. It was a day to remember and a testament to the power of teamwork and shared vision.

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