CLARION, Pa. (EYT) – Motorists, pedestrians, customers, and employees on Main Street in Clarion on Wednesday afternoon were surprised as they were each presented with a small tin of cookies.
(Pictured: Center for Community Resources employee Jodi Jack with a wagon full of cookie tins on Main Street.)
What seemed to surprise many people was that the cookies did not come with a request for a donation, but were given freely with nothing more than wishes for a Merry Christmas.
The cookies were handed out by employees of the Center for Community Resources (CCR), as they have been for the last three years, to bring a little Christmas cheer to the local community.
Local business owner Jim Crooks receives cookies from CCR employee Shelby Johnson.
Recipients were surprised and appreciative, according to Paula Hanna, who is an Early Intervention Supervisor for CCR.
“They’re so surprised, like ‘what’s this?’, but they’re very happy to get them,” Hanna said.
The weather this year also cooperated with the CCR employee’s plans, offering a nice clear day for finding people out and about in downtown Clarion.
“This is the nicest weather I think we’ve ever had,” Hanna noted.
Each tin of cookies handed out also came with a magnet attached, reminding people of the 24/7 Crisis Line operated by CCR, which can be reached by calling 814-226-7223 (TTY 1-724-431-0671), or by texting 63288.
Crisis Services offered by CCR include intervention, assessment, counseling, screening, and referral services for anyone who calls, walks in, or requests the crisis team to come to their home, school, or in the community.
CCR’s other services include a Student Assistance Program (SAP), Mental Health Service Coordination, Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Supports Coordination, Adult Autism Waiver, Aging Waiver, Early Intervention Service Coordination, Homeless Case Management, Attendant Care/ACT 150 Program, and the STAR Program, for students at risk.
“We do outreach for mental health, we have a crisis department, we have early intervention that goes into homes and does therapy for zero to three-year-olds, and we help with housing for the homeless, among other things,” explained Jodi Jack, Administrative Assistant for CCR.
CCR’s office in Clarion is located at the Clarion Human Services Building (the old hospital) on Seventh Avenue and the Victory House (Clarion Drop-in Center at 1099 E. Main Street). The office phone number is 814-226-1080. They also operate a Crisis Line which can be reached by calling 814-226-7223 (TTY 1-724-431-0671), or by texting 63288.
CCR’s two main offices are in Butler, although it also has offices in Pittsburgh, Altoona, Williamsport, and Washington, Pa.
