For those who need help coping with the pandemic, or applying for food stamps, or finding a mental health professional, or handling any life crisis, really, the John Jermain Memorial Library in Sag Harbor has a valuable new resource: Michelle McGay.
Last month, Ms. McGay, who is pursuing a master's degree in social work at Stony Brook University, started a three-pronged internship (at John Jermain, the Rogers Memorial Library in Southampton, and the Westhampton Free Library) as part of a program designed to give East End residents better access to social services.
"I can find the right program to help with your issue," said Ms. McGay, a Southampton native who is fluent in Spanish. "I can fill out as many applications as you need, I can make as many phone calls and listen to the waiting music forever and ever -- and for some people, that means everything, because they're overwhelmed. The working population of the Hamptons need this, people are struggling to survive out here."
She is at John Jermain for in-person consultations on Thursdays from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m., and available for virtual appointments at other times. As of yet, however, she has not had a client there. "I'm trying to get the word out," she said. "I emailed all the religious organizations, the mayor, anyone I could think of who would come into contact with people in need."
She's been far busier in Southampton, where she recently helped 15 families who were facing foreclosure on their homes, and many people who needed help navigating the Department of Motor Vehicles website. "It seems like a silly thing, but a lot of my clients have asked for help getting a learner's permit, or registering a vehicle. There's actually a real need to have someone help you navigate that, especially if you don't speak English."
Ms. McGay gravitated to social work "because I grew up out here and I saw the lack of services." The need for assistance has become even greater, she said, with the advent of the pandemic. "Because of Covid, people are lonely, they lack a routine, they might have a health scare, and if they just want to talk to me, that's fine too," she said. "I can offer patience and calmness, and manageable goals. If you're overwhelmed, you can come in and we'll figure it out together."
Eager to make an impact in Sag Harbor while awaiting clients, she is creating a series of five-minute videos, both in English and Spanish, about the various services, including help for parents raising a special-needs child, that are available to residents. The videos will be posted on the library's website, www.johnjermain.org.
Ultimately, Ms. McGay hopes to spearhead the creation of an East End community center offering a broad range of social services. "One day could be for victims of domestic violence, and the Retreat could send somebody over to give classes, and the next day you could have youth, or parenting, or bereavement groups," she said. "That's what I want to do, but I have to figure out how to get grants. That's why I'm in school. I want to learn more about grant writing and about presenting yourself in the best possible way to sell your pitch."
Right now, she's determined to figure out how to help the people of Sag Harbor. "I can't wait to have people come in and find out what the issues are in this particular town," she said.
