Rotary Club of Ellicottville Partners with TICCAT to Expand Mental Health and Trauma Support Initiatives in 2026
New 2026 partnership builds on community programs focused on mental health education, youth leadership, and trauma-informed care through collaboration with TICCAT and local organizations.
ELLICOTTVILLE - The Rotary Club of Ellicottville is partnering with the Cattaraugus County NY Coalition known as the Trauma Informed Coalition of Cattaraugus County (TICCAT). By providing financial support to TICCAT, the Rotary Club hopes to continue to raise awareness of and in support of the ongoing need for mental health services in our community. Tragic events last year in our community have prompted our club to help our town make strides to be better prepared to combat mental health crises and addiction issues in the Ellicottville area. These events and other recent unexpected losses illustrate the human connections we all need to thrive and to be supported in our grief with the help available to our communities.
TICCAT is fiscally managed and led by Connecting Communities in Action (CCA) and is comprised of community members and professionals that have included: Faith Organizations, Local Government, Legislators, Education, Non-Profit Organizations, Law Enforcement, Seneca Nation of Indians, Health Care Organizations, and Behavioral Health Providers. Their vision is: “To improve the health and well-being of those affected by trauma and to build community resources to prevent and overcome trauma, and to build resilience, trust, and safety.” Their Mission: “Engage the community to understand and respond to the complex and profound impact of trauma through prevention, education, planning, outreach, and treatment.”
In September 2025, TICCAT hosted an event known as Good for the Soul Comedy with Los Angeles Based Comedian and CEO of the YAY Foundation, Aidan Park. While here in September, Aidan facilitated workshops, trainings, and one-on-one with work community members throughout Ellicottville and beyond. With support from TICCAT, three high-impact programs were held for various community members:
Wellness workshops for the Department of Aging.
A full-day empowerment workshop for the Ellicottville Central School District, where they launched the Firekeepers Program to support peer wellness among high school students.
A week-long community comedy and storytelling program, building confidence, connection, and resilience through humor with several adult performers, most from Ellicottville, that culminated with a performance at HoliMont.
Across all efforts, over 250 community members were engaged directly - from students and educators to older adults and residents. Each program was enthusiastically received, and we have been invited back by all partners involved.
YAY Foundation would be thrilled to return in 2026 and expand upon the work that began last fall. Community support would allow us to bring these programs back to the area - merging creativity, humor, and trauma-informed practice to strengthen community connection and emotional well-being.
After launching the Firekeepers, the school, together with their advisor, Maria Wright, continues to meet weekly. The mission is simple but powerful: Unite, inspire, keep the fire, foster leadership, kindness, and a sense of belonging among students.
Through collaboration with Ellicottville Rotary, TICCAT, and Ellicottville school, we have become aware of current needs in the community. We hope to increase awareness opportunities to disseminate mental health resource materials, offer community mental health education events, and work together with the school to support students and staff to continue creating opportunities that bring students together through fun, engaging, and meaningful activities that promote connection and a positive school environment.
The YAY Foundation has expressed a strong commitment to continuing the partnership with the Rotary Club of Ellicottville and the Trauma Informed Coalition of Cattaraugus County. We are hoping to bring Aidan Park back to the area again this coming fall.