Housing Options Made Easy. Inc.

 

Housing Options has worked to tend the cemetery at the Gowanda Psychiatric Center.  The effort was started by Sandra Hooten, a beloved member of the Housing Options Made Easy staff that passed away in  September of 2005.  Sandra had a large impact on the agency and the unmarked graves at this cemetery typify her loving nature and how much she cared for life, dignity, and the issues associated with stigma and mental illness.
 "I just wept," she said. "I just couldn't believe life could be so . . .
disregarded. It's not something you forget." 
At her inspiration members of the community worked to clean up the cemetery and honored the number graves by releasing butterflies to lend some dignity to honor their passing.
 

June 21, 2002

Photograph of Full Collage

Link to article on Gowanda Psychiatric Center Cemetary