Alternative Paths opens up satellite location in Brunswick

BRUNSWICK — Local government officials celebrated Alternative Paths opening its Brunswick location on Friday with a ribbon-cutting ceremony. Chief Executive Officer of Alternative Paths Nikole Hosking said the organization was formed in Medina County in 1989. Since then, Alternative Paths has been providing services like outpatient counseling and a 24/7 crisis line. Some of their other services focus on helping people who have alcohol or substance use disorders, while other teams assist people who are in jail. The organization decided to expand to Brunswick because many of the people who sought their services lived in the city. She said there is more need for these kinds of services in the Brunswick area and across the county than ever before. "I want to thank you for making the decision to be here in Brunswick," Vice Mayor Nick Hanek said. "It's a needed and necessary part of our services in the community with an excellent location." It is important for Alternative Paths to provide easy to access resources for people in the community because sometimes people do not know where to go when they are struggling, Hosking said. The goal of Alternative Paths is to spread the word on finding help. "We're trying to end that stigma of mental health services," she said. "We talk about high blood pressure. We talk about other health conditions, and I think that mental health should be taken just as seriously." Brunswick is the fourth place in Medina County to have an Alternative Paths office, and it is be located at 3511 Center Road on the second floor of the building across from the orthodontics office. The organization's main office is in Medina, and there are other satellite offices in Wadsworth and Lodi. "We so appreciate (Alternative Paths)," Medina County Commissioner Colleen Swedyk said. "We so appreciate all the work that you do, and we're so glad about your expansion into Brunswick. On behalf of the county commissioners, congratulations." Contact reporter Madisyn Woodring at (330) 721-4049 or mwoodring@medina-gazette.com.