Helping Hands

HELPING HANDS

Helping Hands is District Council 16’s member‑support program, created to ensure that no member or family faces hardship alone. Helping Hands provides training, education, and resource development to help members and their families who are struggling to deal with substance use disorder (SUD), alcoholism, and mental health challenges.

Being strong doesn’t mean carrying every burden alone. Sometimes the strongest thing a person can do is be ‘strong enough to ask for help’. Recovery is possible, and no Brother or Sister should have to face that alone. We are committed to making sure that every member and their families know that there is support.

James Boster

Director of Mental Health & Addiction

 

Unión Local 741

Industrial Painter

James Boster serves as DC16’s Director of Mental Health and Addiction, where he provides guidance, advocacy, and support for members and their families navigating mental health and substance use challenges. Working in coordination with the IUPAT Helping Hand Program, James helps connect individuals to appropriate care, resources, and levels of support while promoting stigma-free conversations and education throughout the union. His work plays a vital role in strengthening the health, safety, and resilience of the DC16 membership.