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July 2020

Heroes Edition

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

july PUBLISHER'S WORD.......................................................................... 6 FASHION

Dress like the hero you are........................................................... 8

KINDNESS COUNTS

Amiyah Crisler:

Painting a future of hope & equity.................................... 10

SPECIAL FEATURES

Andrea Reeves & Eric J. Roberts Heroes of History.......................................................................... 12

ON THE COVER

Dr. Indu Gupta...................................................................................... 16

HEALTH & WELLNESS

Women's Health: Intimate Partner Violence during the pandemic................................................................. 20 Fitness: Amber Howland

1000K for Food Bank ................................................................ 20

WISE WOMAN

Laura Thorne....................................................................................... 22

INSPIRE

Deb Jenkins, Peace, Inc................................................................ 24

Mary Beth Frey, Samaritan Center.........................................28

Ann Rooney, Onondaga County............................................ 32

MOVERS AND SHAKERS.......................................................................... 30

July 2020

32 Heroes Edition

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PUBLISHER'S WORD

There are heroes among us.

t is now more than three months since COVID-19 took firm hold of our lives here in Central New York. In that time – despite all the fear and despair – we’ve seen thousands of everyday people emerge as heroes. Our healthcare workers have deservedly been honored as heroes, and I have the greatest admiration for those who put themselves at risk to care for the sick. But there are many other heroes in less lauded roles. Our banker, Jen, is a hero. Like many publishers, when the pandemic hit and our advertisers’ businesses shut down, it seemed likely that Syracuse Woman Magazine and Eagle News might come to the end of the road. Jen patiently walked us through the process of applying for a PPP loan. As the money for the first round of loans began to run dry, she kept up constant communication, reassuring us that the funds would be there to keep our business alive. Many of those texts and phone calls came late in the evening on Saturday and Sunday nights, as she worked around the clock to communicate with hundreds of scared business owners. Jen’s work over those first few hectic weeks helped keep hundreds, perhaps thousands, of people employed. Our teachers are heroes. My wife has always been dedicated to her students, but during the pandemic she would often be working at the kitchen table long before anyone else in the house was awake, recreating her curriculum from scratch and reaching out to dozens of students and their parents to guide them through distance learning. While I’ve been in the office each day, she has been at home somehow juggling the teaching of her five classes of Latin students and guiding our own two children – each with a case of cabin fever – through distance learning. Sometimes an act of heroism comes in a simple form. Dr. Indu Gupta, the county’s commissioner of health and our cover story this month, is a hero. In the early days of the pandemic, she stood shoulder to shoulder (six feet apart) with County Executive Ryan McMahon, providing a sense of calm and reassurance and helping our residents develop safe practices to slow the spread of this disease. Mary Beth Frye and her team at the Samaritan Center are heroes, providing not only meals but also a sense of community for some of Syracuse’s most vulnerable residents at a time of tremendous need. And there are so many more that have looked into the eye of this storm and asked themselves, “How can I help?” So, to the thousands of people out there who have acted heroically during this challenging period, we at Syracuse Woman Magazine want to emphatically say, ‘Thank you.’ And if you, our readers, think of someone who has made your life easier during this time, please reach out and show them your appreciation. If we’ve learned anything over the past three months, it’s that we’re all in this together. Stay safe,

David Tyler

SyracuseWomanMag.com contact@syracusewomanmag.com

PUBLISHER

David Tyler dtyler@eaglenewsonline.com

DESIGN

Andrea Reeves

PHOTOGRAPHERS Ana Gil-Taylor Alice G. Patterson Maureen Tricase

CONTRIBUTORS Angela Antonello Alyssa Dearborn Farah Jadran August Lindsey Heather Shannon Emma Vallelunga Jennifer Wing

Cover photo by Alice G. Patterson

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Unlike any other publication in the Syracuse area, our feature articles address major topics that interest local women. Each issue includes articles on health, fashion, fitness, finance, home matters, dining, lifestyle and personal perspectives, as well as a spotlight on local Syracuse women. Ads are due on the 15th of the month prior to publication. The print magazines will be distributed locally in over 350 locations and will be in your inbox electronically by the middle of every month. The publication is available free of charge.

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July 2020

Heroes Edition

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FASHION FORWARD

Dress like the hero you are By Angela Antonello

n the fashion industry the term ‘Hero’ is used to describe a style or article of clothing that has a loyal following and has stood the test of time. It has proven timeless or was the bestseller that keeps seasoned fashionistas coming back time and again. Take a worn denim jacket, a classic black blazer or the little black dress. All three are not only loved by the designers, but shoppers alike. They are forever timeless and make a statement that never goes out of style. Take a minute and think about your personal wardrobe. Have you been known to impulsively buy something you didn’t need because it was what we call in the world of fashion, “fast fashion?“ Think of that one hit wonder in the music industry. Do you consistently gravitate toward the ever-changing silhouette you’ve seen worn in the media over and over? Trendy, yes! It makes you feel good for a hot minute, yes! But those pieces are not your wardrobe heroes! Now that you know what the fashion world classifies a wardrobe hero, and what fast fashion pieces are, dig deeper into your closet and pull those pieces that whenever everything else fails, you are sure you can count on. Those are your wardrobe heroes!

July 2020

Heroes Edition

For most ladies, an LBD (Little Black Dress) is a typical wardrobe hero. It is comfortable, versatile and always saves the day. Other typical wardrobe heroes are your favorite worn jeans, that black leather jacket you love so much or your comfy everyday sneakers. Most of us have these. For some, the leather jacket might be a black blazer or vintage denim jacket and the sneakers could be black pumps or a pair of boots, but you get the gist. It’s hard to decide what a wardrobe hero is to anyone but yourself and ideally we would like to have a closet full of only these pieces. It’s hard to know in advance if a garment is going to become a favorite, so I suggest setting criteria for your wardrobe heroes, like the example below: 1. IT HAS TO BE A HIGH-QUALITY ITEM. If you love something you will wear it a lot and that does mean it will be laundered more often. 2. IT SHOULD FIT PERFECTLY. Clothing that is tailored to your shape not only is more comfortable but also looks great.

CLOTHES MENTOR 1/4 PAGE

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3. IT HAS TO BE VERSATILE. If I can only style it one way or wear it on rare occasions, then it might still be a great piece of clothing. But it is not a hero. 4. IT HAS TO BE TIMELESS. A true wardrobe hero is an item you use for five years or more. 5. IT HAS TO BE 100% YOU. Sometimes we get a little bit too inspired by other people and try to take on their style. It’s fun for a little bit, but it will never truly feel like we are 100% ourselves. The thing is, an item can spark joy without being a wardrobe hero. You can love something and feel amazing wearing it, but it just doesn’t come out to play as often as something else. So next time you go shopping for that higher ticket clothing purchase, ask yourself if you could see yourself wearing it in five years. SWM

ELSBETH ROSE 1/4 PAGE

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KINDNESS COUNTS

Amiyah Crisler: PAINTING A FUTURE OF HOPE & EQUITY By Farah Jadran

indness and empathy come in many forms. These beautiful qualities can be spoken and seen. Illustrating them takes them to a new level, especially when a young and talented person chooses to use their gifts to support fellow humans. Right now, I want you to know the name, Amiyah Crisler, and to never forget her name because I believe this award-winning 13-year-old artist is just getting started. “Artsy Amiyah” has been pursuing art since she was in preschool. “My parents still have a few of my pieces in our memory box at home,” Amiyah said. “As a little girl, I loved gluing, arts and crafts, and finding different items around the house to create pieces. I’ve often been told that my brain and eyes pick up shapes and figures in objects that are not apparent to the naked eye.” Amiyah’s parents wanted to nurture her natural talent by enrolling her in several art classes including acrylic

painting, oil painting, and acrylic pouring, pottery and wheeling. “I find calm in painting pieces and get lost in them for hours,” Amiyah shared. “I am inspired by several factors: the seasons, the mood of others, nature, other pictures, and traveling.” Art is not just a passion. It’s also become a business for Amiyah. Her unique pieces can be purchased on her website, and some of her latest work is on public display as she joins Black Lives Matters supporters. “Sometimes as a child, you can't put emotions into words. There are times where you feel the weight or emotion of a situation and it’s hard to describe what you’re experiencing,” said Amiyah about the BLM movement. “So, when l paint, l express my feelings and opinions through my art. Black Lives Matters is personal to me. It is, of course, who I am. My parents have always taught me to be proud of myself and to take pride in everything that I do.”

July 2020

Heroes Edition

“My advice would be to, ‘speak up even if your voice shakes.’”— Amiyah Crisler During the first weeks of BLM protests in Syracuse, Amiyah put her passion and her truth on the pavement for all to see in a mural. If you think you’re too young or not ready to stand up for what you believe in and use your gifts to match the magnitude of your beliefs - you’re not. Amiyah says her BLM design was her contribution to the movement and her way of letting others know they are not alone. "This movement will carry on through my generation." “My advice would be to, ‘speak up even if your voice shakes,’” Amiyah said. “To me, that means to use your voice even if you are afraid. You should speak up for what you believe in. When you demonstrate the courage to use your voice, it can give others the courage to find their voice, too. That goes for everyone, whether it's an adult or another kid. You need to speak up because your opinion matters.” Taking each day as an opportunity to do something great and meaningful is a gift. Doing a kind deed or encouraging others to be their best self can spread hope. Amiyah does this in many ways including her efforts to share her gifts by painting live on social media. Kindness can change someone’s heart. It can help others realize there is a world around them and more to life than possessions and petty arguments. Kindness can be the message you wear and walk with because you choose to live life with genuine gratitude for each day you are given. Tomorrow is not promised. Why not spend today being kind and being positive? SWM

Farah Jadran is the anchor of CBS5 This Morning and CBS5 News at Noon for CNYCentral in Syracuse. Farah also served as editor of SWM for more than four years after she helped launch it in January 2011. If you or someone you know is spreading kindness in our community -- tweet at her -- @FarahJadran using #BeKindSyracuse. Syracuse Woman Magazine

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SPECIAL FEATURE

ANDREA REEVES & ERIC J. ROBERTS The heroes of history By August Lindsey

Photo by Maureen Tricase

yracuse-based filmmakers, Andrea Reeves and Eric J. Roberts first dove into history in 2011 when they produced a one-hour documentary, The Mysterious Origin of Thousand Island Dressing. Their research disproved the widely accepted notion that the condiment was created in the early 1900s by Oscar Tschirky, the chef to Waldorf (Astoria) owner, George Boldt, while aboard his yacht cruising the Thousand Islands. Heard for generations on 1000 Islands boat tours, it has no basis in fact. Turns out, full credit for creating the condiment goes to Sophia LaLonde, a St. Lawrence River fisherman’s wife from Clayton, NY. Reeves and Roberts found the original handwritten recipe credited to Sophia, dated 1905, in some hidden archives at the Thousand Island Museum in Clayton and “official” culinary history changed forever. For their discovery, they found themselves featured on CBS Sunday Morning and on the Travel Channel’s Mysteries at the Museum. “Finally,” says Reeves, “Sophia LaLonde was nationally recognized as the rightful creator of 'Thousand Island Reeves and Roberts, in front of the large marker memorializing the Dressing.'" faculty, students and alumni of Syracuse University who died in service to their country during World War II at Hendrix Chapel, Syracuse, NY.

July 2020

Heroes Edition

“The emotional impact of meeting these humble vets was powerful. One Honor Flight and I was hooked.” — Andrea Reeves

Philip "Curly" Voystock and Harold Stryker; 1944 and 2019 as featured on Honor Flight Heroes/Episode One.

Last September, the duo discovered Honor Flight and the work the charity does to honor veterans – particularly those who served during WWII. They decided to capture on film as many of the vets’ stories before the opportunity passed by forever. From this, their new docu-series, Honor Flight Heroes, was born. The premiere episode aired Veterans Day 2019 on Discovery Networks’ American Heroes Channel (AHC) and featured Philip “Curly” Voystock and Harold Stryker, both in their 90s, who shared harrowing personal stories of their service. "The emotional impact of meeting these humble vets was powerful. One Honor Flight and I was hooked,” Reeves said proudly, “Hearing and filming their stories of bravery touched me so much.” As a result of the Honor Flight Heroes national broadcast, a 93-year-old viewer, WWII veteran Vincent Terrill, learned from watching the program that 94-year-old Harold Stryker, the soldier he had served with side-by-side during the Battle of Okinawa, was still very much alive!

Terrill’s family contacted Reeves and Roberts and a reunion, 75 years in the making, was coordinated with Honor Flight and filmed this past January 3-5 in Manchester by-the-Sea, MA, Terrill's hometown. Honor Flight Heroes/Reunion airs nationally on AHC this Pearl Harbor Day, December 7th, at 7 p.m. "There are cheers, tears and goosebumps,” says Roberts, “people from all walks of life came out to greet these two heroes and watch them pick up their friendship as if no time had passed.” continued on page 14

Pictured far left snapshot: In 1945, after victory over the Japanese at the Battle of Okinawa, Stryker (left), Terrill (middle) celebrate with combat buddy Eugene VanHolde. Above: 75 years later, Stryker and Terrill reunited for Honor Flight Heroes cameras the first weekend of 2020 at Manchesterby-the-Sea, MA.. VanHolde passed away in Febrruary 2011. Syracuse Woman Magazine

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SPECIAL FEATURE

The heroes of history from page 13 Although Reeves and Roberts were invited to interview WWII vets on numerous Honor Flights this year, all were cancelled due to the pandemic. “This is especially distressing because 2020 is the 75th anniversary of the end of WWII and each day we lose precious opportunities to capture stories from these vets that now will be lost forever,” said Reeves. One incredible interview did happen, however, just as the country was shutting down due to COVID-19. Renowned and feisty, 103-year-old WWII Women’s Army Corps (WAC) Unit Commander Vivian “Millie” Bailey welcomed the filmmakers into her home just outside of Baltimore on Sunday, March 15th. The following Monday, all of Maryland completely shuttered. “We captured the invaluable footage just in time,” said Reeves. “Millie is a national treasure. There’s a lot of misinformation about her on the web that she wants to set straight – we now have her personal story, as told by the woman who lived it!” Millie volunteered to serve during WWII when women were often accepted only as nurses. As a self-described “Negro Officer” (she prefers to not be referred to as “AfricanAmerican” or “Black” because she says she is neither) stationed in Georgia and Alabama, she endured and overcame discrimination not only for her gender and the position she held, but also for the color of her skin. Her insights on dealing with racism and her opinions on ways to heal our country today are forged by experience. Invited into the White House by President Obama, honored by both President Clinton and President Trump, Millie’s awards and citations from local, state, and federal officials fill several walls in her home. This summer, a community park in Columbia, MD will be dedicated in her honor. Today, Millie has two “bucket list” items. To skydive like President H.W. Bush before her 104th birthday and to one day meet Michelle Obama, a personal hero. Reeves and Roberts are pulling out the stops to see if they can arrange a meeting between the two women on camera that can be included as part of Millie’s episode. Honor Flight Heroes/Millie Bailey, airs nationally on AHC this Veterans Day, November 11th, at 7 p.m.

The day prior to Millie's interview, Phyllis Wilson, the new president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial, located just outside the entrance to Arlington Cemetery in Washington, DC, welcomed the Honor Flight Heroes film crew even though the facility had just closed to the public. “We were incredibly fortunate,” said Reeves. “We were likely the last outside people allowed in before the doors were sealed for the duration of the pandemic.” For the Honor Flight Heroes cameras, Wilson gave a tour of the Memorial’s museum and pulled up Millie's official service record on the foundation’s database and was able to print both her record and photo and place them into a commemorative binder which was presented to Millie the next day at the start of her interview; a treasured moment for all. If you know a local WWII veteran with a story to tell, Reeves and Roberts would like to explore the possibility of filming an interview. You can reach Andrea at andrea@ honorflightheroes.tv or Eric at ericr@ honorflightheroes.tv SWM

Phyllis Wilson, president of the Women in Military Service for America Memorial poses with Honor Flight Heroes Filmographer, Nelson Robinson, a vet who served with her son in Afghanistan. The memorial honors the over 3 million women who have served in our nation's defense, beginning with the American Revolution. Reeves is the creative director of Syracuse Woman magazine, art director at Zoey Advertising and is professor of art/design at OCC. She has also been creative/art director at several prominent advertising agencies as well as adjunct professor at S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications. Roberts is a long-time Syracuse-based advertising and marketing creative who also served as executive producer and writer for two children’s TV series, Pappyland and Skinnamarink-TV, which garnered national awards and aired internationally and on The Learning Channel and PBS stations in the US.

July 2020

Heroes Edition

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July 2020

Heroes Edition

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COVER STORY DR. INDU GUPTA

DR. INDU GUPTA

ONONDAGA COUNTY HEALTH COMMISSIONER

“It's been a wonderful journey so far. It's a lot of work, but I wouldn't [want] it any other way.” —Dr. Indu Gupta

Photo by Alice G. Patterson

July 2020

Heroes Edition

Helping Heal Onondaga County By Emma Vallelunga

hen the world is in crisis, we need more than just Superman. In times like these, the heroes we seek wear full-body gowns, N95 masks and face shields. But in Syracuse, physicians like Onondaga County Health Commissioner Dr. Indu Gupta break medical boundaries, connect with patients, strive for a healthier community, and may even save us from the villain that has become COVID-19. Immigrating from northern India in 1986, Gupta and her husband settled down in Central New York. Although she received a medical degree in India, she was recertified in the U.S. and ran a private practice in Syracuse at St. Joseph’s Hospital. Gupta said she began to grow in her field, learning, sympathizing and getting to know her patients as people rather than numbers on a chart. “Different kinds of things impact people’s health,” she said. “Med school doesn’t teach you these things. You are learning from your patients that their lives are so complicated at times. Unless you understand the complexity of what’s happening in their lives, you really can’t make an impact. You can write a prescription, [but] people need more from their doctor or nurse. You provide empathy and support. It’s a great way of practicing medicine.” Gupta continued her practice while raising two daughters and eventually received her master of arts in public administration at the Maxwell School at Syracuse University. She eventually closed her practice at the hospital after 15 years, but she was on a mission to begin another journey. She got her master’s of public health at John Hopkins in Baltimore, Maryland, in 2009, and she was even an assistant clinical professor at the University of California in Los Angeles. “I could teach, take care of patients and stay engaged at the system level at the hospital, because that’s how you make changes,” she said. “You educate the next generation, and you also educate and learn from your colleagues, and then things change in the system.” But when all that was said and done, she decided to come home to Syracuse and was offered the position of health commissioner for Onondaga County in 2014. “Syracuse is a wonderful place,” she said. “I raised my kids here, I practiced here, I love the people here. I just felt like this was my home. At the end of the day, the weather is great in different places, but it’s all about where you feel comfortable.”

In her new role, Gupta said she wanted to make a difference in the community and be a part of changes within the county department while also continuing to learn. “I am a life-long student,” she said. “That’s where my journey has continued. It’s been a wonderful journey so far. It’s a lot of work, but I wouldn’t [want] it any other way.” Her dedication to all things health runs deeper than just science. Gupta had her sights set on bettering the county’s health and safety long before the coronavirus pandemic. When the number of people dying from opioid abuse grew in Onondaga County, Gupta met with the District Attorney’s office until she was asked to be co-chair of the Onondaga County Drug Task Force, an organization with memberships from more than 50 local agencies. “I got a lot of physician [support],” she said. “The medical community needed to be a part of it. It’s not a law enforcement issue, it’s a public health issue.” In addition to combating substance abuse and addiction in the county, the DTF works to raise awareness for substance abuse issues, ensure treatment and recovery options and reduce the number of opioid-related deaths. She said the group has done an incredible job leading that fight and will continue to work remotely during the pandemic. “This is [still] an important issue,” she said. “Our rates have slightly gone up, and we don’t want that. We’re doing our best to continue to raise awareness, collaborate with everyone and make sure our voices can be heard at every level.” Gupta is also one of the many minds behind Greater Syracuse H.O.P.E., an anti-poverty non-profit organization powered by Gov. Cuomo’s Empire State Poverty Reduction Initiative. Gupta remembers when a report from The Century Foundation found that in 2015 Syracuse had the highest concentration of poverty among African Americans and Hispanics. She said the realization was eye-opening for her and her colleagues. “Everybody paused, and it was emotionally reckoning in a way,” she said. “[It was] something that we knew, but somebody [else] put it out there. The data was very powerful. It was emotionally very charging, but at the same, it was a call to action.” Continued on page 20

“In my position as a health commissioner, as a woman, as a mother, as a member of this community, I think it’s important for me to understand and also continue to engage everybody that we can change our course in life, but we need to have the opportunity to do so. We can’t do it in a vacuum. We really need to have those opportunities in our society so we can achieve the best health.” —Dr. Indu Gupta Syracuse Woman Magazine

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COVER STORY DR. INDU GUPTA

Helping Heal Onondaga County from page 19

“We all have a responsibility to work toward making our community healthy.” —Dr. Indu Gupta

Photo by Alice G. Patterson

Since then, H.O.P.E. has culminated into, “a diverse collection of residents and community organizations who have committed to working together to eradicate poverty in Syracuse,” according to its website. Although Gupta is not actively involved with the organization anymore, she continues to advocate for their cause. “It is very discomforting at times that this is the most powerful country [with] the most advanced things that we have in this country, but we’re still dealing with this issue in this day and age,” she said. “In my position as a health commissioner, as a woman, as a mother, as a member of this community, I think it’s important for me to understand and also continue to engage everybody that we can change our course in life, but we need to have the opportunity to do so. We can’t do it in a vacuum. We really need to have those opportunities in our society so we can achieve the best health.” During the pandemic, the Onondaga County Executive Office as a whole is continuing to monitor more than 2,000 coronavirus cases. The health department, where Gupta works alongside other physicians, is responsible for many support systems for patients, including the county’s contact investigations andtracing, the process of tracking down positive cases and contacting those that may have been exposed. “The goal of [contact tracing] is we want to make sure that if you are the [positive] case, we will make sure youaren’t exposing anybody anymore,” she said. “We’ve prevented many people from transmitting the infection this way.” Like thousands of medical professionals across the country, Gupta advises members of the community to wear a face mask in public, wash your hands frequently, social distance and stay home if they start to experience symptoms of the virus. Gupta believes the fight against COVID-19 begins with each individual, and people will only prevail if we each do our part to stop the spread and save Onondaga County together. “As health commissioner, for me, the whole community is the one which we serve, making sure people are protected at every level,” she said. “We have to look from both sides and make sure we create an environment in which everybody feels safe and protected. It’s the principle of public health. We all have a responsibility to work toward making our community healthy.” SWM

July 2020

Heroes Edition

WISE WOMAN LAURA THORNE

Syracuse Woman Magazine

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HEALTHY WOMAN

Running 1000K for charity By Amber Howland

“I

have an idea.” Those were my famous last words before embarking on what can only be described as the longest run of my life. I am running a 1000K. That is 621 miles stretched over 108 days, averaging six to seven miles a day, and I am doing it for charity. My big idea was to spread those miles out and showcase our small business community all while raising money for the Food Bank of CNY. This seemed like an easy feat that would occupy a couple hours a day for the summer. What it has turned into would be something that would shape me and my love for Syracuse for a lifetime. In a recent conversation with Matt from Café Kubal, I was asked, “Why are you doing this?” During every run since then this question crossed my mind. I would task myself during the run to come up with an eloquent answer that would leave everyone happy and content. Yes, I am doing this for the Food Bank of CNY. Yes, I am doing this to showcase small businesses in CNY. If I am being honest, though, my reason for doing this started with the dreaded word, “quarantine.” I quarantined alone. I don’t tell you this for pity but rather to further explain my need for purpose. For eight weeks, I longed for purpose. I am fortunate enough that my job allows me to work from home so it is really business as usual for me, with the exception of being told that I can’t leave my house. For eight weeks I struggled. I tried to maintain normalcy. I went through all the stages of quarantine the baking stage, the YouTube workout stage, the deep cleaning stage, the do absolutely nothing and mope stage. For eight weeks I was in a mindset that this awful thing was happening to me. This is where the OneNY 1000K Virtual Challenge stepped in. I had seen posts on social media about this race for a few days. With all of the local running races cancelling and moving to a more virtual look and feel, I made a change and got involved. Fast forward to my sister’s dining room table telling her the mileage and logistics of this virtual challenge and I say, “I have an idea.

What if I partner with small businesses and showcase them daily, since I will be out on the road every day?” A quick brainstorming session and a list of our favorite bars and restaurants was created. That evening, I called a friend that I knew would NOT talk me out of this and I said, “I have an idea and I need to talk through this.” This is where the virtual fundraiser for the Food Bank was born. Ideas were flowing, big and small. My first call the next morning was the Food Bank of CNY. I had a big idea and two days to execute. You read that correctly. The race began in two days. Thank you to Lynn Hy, the chief development officer, at the Food Bank of CNY for fast tracking a dedicated donation landing page and providing me with my first piece of swag - a Food Bank t-shirt. Calls, texts, a website, more calls, and texts took a dining room table idea to an executed movement. As you read this, we are about halfway to the finish line. More than 50 local businesses have been featured on social media and shared among various networks of people. Thousands of dollars have been raised as part of the 1000K for CNY campaign. This means thousands of meals have been created for our community through the work of the Food Bank of CNY. To see the campaign in action and follow along on the journey to 1000K, follow me on Instagram at @ambermhowland and Amber Howland on Facebook. To donate directly to the Food Bank of CNY and purchase your own 1000K for CNY t-shirt, visit amberhowland.com! Thank you to every single one of you who listened to my “crazy idea” and supported me. Thank you to every single small business owner I pitched this idea to that immediately jumped on board. Thank you to every one of you who liked or shared my posts. A HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated thus far. You are doing this. I am running the miles, but you are pushing the needle. And for that, I am forever grateful. Let’s go! SWM Amber Howland is a construction tech consultant, living on the west side of Syracuse. She shares a home with her two yorkies, Max and Penny. When she is not running, she is spending time with family and friends taking in all Syracuse has to offer! Go Orange!

July 2020

Photo by Andrea Pollard at Simply Taken Photography

Heroes Edition

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HEALTHY WOMAN

INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE DURING THE PANDEMIC

If you love me, you'll... By Heather Shannon, MS, CNM, WHNP, MPH

ome of us reading the title might think, “It won’t happen to me,” “I won’t let it happen to me,” or “I wouldn’t have a relationship with anyone who is violent towards or controlling of me.” These statements are commonly thought or said, but unfortunately, they frequently occur. Despite our beliefs and preparedness, intimate partner violence (IPV) can and does occur. How do we know or prepare ourselves for this? First, let us get the facts. There are four different types of IPV. Behaviors include physical violence, sexual violence, stalking and psychological aggression that is both verbal and nonverbal. You may experience one or multiple of these behaviors. By the numbers, IPV is common and affects approximately one in four women and one in 10 men during their lifetime, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS). Over 43 million women and 38 million men will experience psychological aggression by and intimate partner, which is staggering.

CDC (2020)

IPV starts early and can continue throughout the lifespan. According to the CDC, when IPV starts in adolescence it is recognized as teen dating violence. 11 million women and 5 million men who report IPV, says their first experience was prior age 18.

Effects on health

IPV also takes a toll on your physical health and can cause economic consequences. Physical injury and homicide are serious outcomes of IPV. Approximately 41 percent of women survivors and 14 percent of male survivors who experienced IPV had some sort of physical injury because of the violence. Besides physical injury, chronic health conditions of the heart, GI tract, nervous system, muscles and bones and reproductive system may occur. Besides depression and anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may occur. Going beyond this, according to the US crime report data, about one out of every six victims of homicide are killed by an intimate partner. Of these, nearly half of female homicide victims are killed by a male partner, past or present. Those affected tend to engage in riskier behaviors such as smoking, binge drinking and risky sexual behavior, which can lead to illicit drug use.

with medical services for IPV-related injuries, lost productivity from paid work, criminal justice and other costs, was $3.6 trillion.” If we look at the cost over a lifetime, $103,676 to a woman survivor and $23,414 to a male survivor. Staggering!

Teen dating violence (TDV)

According to the CDC, TDV is common, affects millions of US teens every year, and can lead to IPV in future relationships. Nearly one in 11 female and one in 15 male high school students have reported physical violence within the last year. One in nine female and one in 36 male high school students experienced sexual dating violence within the previous year. Even though TDV can affect any race or ethnicity, studies have shown minority groups are more frequently affected by violence. TDV is not only experienced in person, but through electronic means, such as posting of sexual pictures without consent or frequent texting. Name-calling and teasing behaviors are typically considered “normal” by many teens and do not see this as abusive behavior. However, these behaviors can become abusive and develop into a serious form of violence. Unfortunately, many teens will not report this behavior because they are afraid to tell family and friends. What are the consequences of TDV? Victims are more likely to experience depression and anxiety or exhibit antisocial behaviors along with lying, bullying or acting out. They will engage in unhealthy behaviors such as smoking, drinking or using drugs. Teens will also think more about suicide.

What to do

With public health efforts and supportive organizations, developing a healthy, respectful and nonviolent relationship personally and in the community, can potentially decrease acts of IPV. Besides decreasing the act itself, the long-term effects will decrease. CDC has developed a technical package that can be a start to reducing this serious problem. SWM

Cost of IPV

The biggest cost of IPV is personal injury, physical or mental. While we should not downplay the personal trauma that IPV causes, it’s important to note there is also an economic consequence to IPV. According to CDC, “the lifetime economic cost associated July 2020

CDC (2020) Heroes Edition

If you or someone you know is experiencing IPV or TDV please call: ONONDAGA COUNTY:

Vera House Hotline: (315) 425-3260 OSWEGO COUNTY:

Service to Aid Families (SAF) Crisis Hotline: (315) 342-1600 New York State Domestic and Sexual Violence Hotline: 1 (800) 942-6906 or text: (844) 997-2121 CDC: 1 (800) CDC-INFO (232-4636) or for the Technical Package: https://www.cdc.gov/violenceprevention/pdf/

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INSPIRE

DEB JENKINS PEACE INC.

July 2020

Heroes Edition

Helping Big Brothers, Big Sisters adjust to the ‘new normal’ By Alyssa Dearborn

very person and has been adjusting to the “new normal” brought by COVID-19. Pandemic life has been something to get used to for most everyone, but it has had an even more unprecedented impact on local organizations like PEACE, Inc. and the Big Brothers Big Sisters program. The challenges created are something people like Deb Jenkins, a school-based manager for the program, are learning how to navigate. “All of our programs are based on interacting with people.” Jenkins said when asked about the new normal. “I think that we can still help, but it will be different. It’s just the idea of being out with people. For example, for my program I meet with the children. It doesn’t work without face-to-face. For the seniors, the seniors look forward to getting out of their places of residence and going to the senior center because they need the socialization. I’m completely mobile, can get in my car and go wherever I want to, and I feel isolated. So I can just imaginDe how others must feel.” “I think about, for example, some of the families who are living in the city,” she continued. “They don’t have access to parks and recreation. A lot of children right now are sitting at home in hot, dark houses or apartments. It’s not like being in the country where you can just go outside and decide to chase butterflies. I think about it all the time because I worry about those people who don’t have access. Because an agency like ours can build a bridge to the access. But how do you do that when you’re social distancing? I’m not sure. Big question mark. We’ll see.” This bridging of access is what people like Deb Jenkins sets out to do. Under normal circumstances, Jenkins would work with the Big Brothers Big Sisters to bring the power of mentorship to children in need. These mentors would meet with their littles to socialize with them and be a positive influence in their lives, but is a service that becomes hard to sustain in the world of social distancing. To continue serving and connecting the community, Jenkins chose to think creatively. She found that one of the best ways that she could help was to partake in a now popular pandemic pastime: making face masks. When asked how she thought of the idea to make masks for the children, Jenkins replied. “It actually didn’t start with me thinking about the littles to be honest. My initial thought was of a friend whose mother had a

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brain injury. She’s a senior citizen and she was working up until the day she had the brain injury. And she needs to be involved with purposeful work. It keeps her busy and it keeps my friend sane. And that’s where the idea of the masks came. What could I do for my littles—for all the kids in the program— and help my friend at the same time? It’s a practical gift. And my director—who is awesome—said sure! That’s a good idea! That’s how it got started.”Making the masks became a group effort and it soon became a way to stay connected in a safe way while making a difference. “My friend started sewing the masks, I’d cut the fabric.” She said when asked about the mask-making process, “I’d cut the fabric, cut the straps, and I’d take them over to them to sew the masks. Then her mother decided that she didn’t want to do it anymore. So I called my daughter and said that I needed help. And I took my sewing machine to my daughter and she and her twins picked up where my friend and her mother left off.” After all the masks were sewn together, they were mailed out to all the littles with a note full of well wishes and reminders for them to stay safe. Though a simple gesture, a face mask and a kind note could mean the world to a child who is experiencing uncertain and scary times. It also stands as only one example of Deb Jenkin’s love and dedication to the kids and mission she represents. “I miss the kids. I miss the noise. I miss the confusion. You know, everything that comes along with having a room full of kids. I miss it. I miss normal.” She is a person who has a deep love for the work she does and has been able to extend that care beyond her job. Her work is not only rewarding for her, but it also makes a real and tangible difference. When asked what the most rewarding part of what she does is, she replied, “Getting to know the children and the parents. My boss came up with this saying at a conference. The question was ‘Why Big Brothers Big Sisters?’ and his answer was, ‘Because mentoring works.’ And I believe that 100 percent. If you can get a young person, even if they come in because of a [school] requirement, they get something out of it. I think that’s the best thing, seeing how it effects other people. I think mentoring works. I really do.” SWM

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INSPIRE

MARY BETH FREY THE SAMARITAN CENTER By Alyssa Dearborn

Compassion, care and community during crisis

f there is one thing that Covid-19 has taught us, it is that there will always be a need for compassion, care, and community. Despite fear, people still need to be shown compassion. When most people are preoccupied with caring for themselves, others still need to be cared for. And while social distancing has become an essential aspect of these times, it has not lessened the need for a sense of community. Even during a pandemic, these needs still preoccupy the Samaritan Center and its executive director, Mary Beth Frey. “I think one of the most beautiful parts of the Samaritan Center is that we try to ensure each decision we make is grounded in our mission: how we can best serve our guests.” Frey stated when asked about the challenges of a pandemic world, “As we saw the pandemic approaching our community, our primary goal was to ensure that services could continue as best possible throughout what was likely to be an incredibly stressful period for those we serve and for our entire community.” Like other organizations around the country, the Samaritan Center has had to adapt to a new normal, making adjustments for everyone’s safety. These adjustments included switching their services to a take-out style service, requiring all guests and employees to wear masks, and ensuring that social distancing remains constant. “Within a Covid environment,” Frey explained, “we understood quickly that the meals we offered needed to be take-out. Our beautiful dining room would need to be shut down and our meal distribution would need to be fast and efficient to maintain limited contact, be operational with a limited number of volunteers, and promote social distancing within the facility. Samaritan has been able to retain its staff of nine throughout the pandemic with two employees working from home and our volunteers are gradually returning as the community opens back up.” Though safety and addressing the logistics of adjusting to pandemic life has been of the upmost importance, it became just as important to address the emotional wellbeing of the Center’s guests. “I would say the more difficult adjustments were in our engagement and support of our guests,” Frey said. “Samaritan Center is a place where individuals find a community kitchen table, a place to connect, feel supported, find a hug in celebration or grief, share victories and challenges with a chosen family of supportstaff, volunteers, and fellow guests.” “The stress and isolation of the pandemic on a population that already struggles with social isolation has been particularly hard,” she continued, “and the sadness of our guests as they attempt to navigate a closed world was palpable. We have done our best to create moments of connection: remembering to check in with

guests whose moms were sick with Covid or whose health was just a worry to an adult son; a phone call or note to a guest in assisted living who can no longer get out to see us; sharing the sadness of a world changed, if only in brief interactions; being there with a smile, even if behind a mask. The sadness has begun to lift as the hope of reopening moves through our city. The challenge now will be helping folks put the pieces back together.” A part of what helps the Center retain that sense of community is through their helpful network of volunteers. Though the Center has been forced to decrease its volunteer numbers on site, the same volunteers who were there before found ways to help from home. “Outside of the center itself,” Frey said, “there have been untold numbers of volunteers sewing masks for our guests, collecting wish list items in support of operations, collecting hand sanitizer, sending donations and notes of encouragement. Their faith in us and their generosity towards those we serve warms my heart daily and I am humbled by their kindness of spirit. As the community begins to open up, we are strategizing the next phase for Samaritan and how to best bring back our full family of volunteers.” Though the nature of her work is much more strenuous during more stressful times, Frey stills feels blessed that she gets make a meaningful, community impact. When asked about the most rewarding aspect of her job, she explained, “There is a bit of magic that occurs at the Samaritan Center. If you have never experienced it, it takes only a day of volunteering to know that there is something very special that happens through the organization. It is a true community of individuals who find connection in their fundamental humanity. Whether guest, volunteer, or staff-person, each recognizes that we are there to walk beside each other and support each other as best we can.” The Samaritan Center is a special place and resource for our community, and it represents a mission that—as Frey states— "pulls at the heart.” “Fundamental at Samaritan Center is that everyone has a fundamental right to food, connection, and dignity. It is a clear and simple mission overlaid with compassion and kindness. It is a place that knows the power of a warm meal cooked with love on a cold day. Samaritan Center is a place where you are reminded daily that your ability to positively impact another human being can be as simple as a smile, a dry pair of socks on a rainy day, a look in the eye that says ‘I see you.’ It is a place where we, as a community, support the best in each other and say no one is alone. How could your heart not be pulled?” SWM

July 2020

Heroes Edition

Photo by Ana Gil-Taylor

“I think one of the most beautiful parts of the Samaritan Center is that we try to ensure each decision we make is grounded in our mission: how we can best serve our guests.” —Mary Beth Frey

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July 2020

Heroes Edition

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INSPIRE

ANN ROONEY ONONDAGA COUNTY'S EMERGENCY RESPONSE

Photo by Ana Gil-Taylor

July 2020

Heroes Edition

A team approach to community service By Emma Vallelunga

earing a lot of hats doesn’t necessarily make someone a true leader, but in Ann Rooney’s case, the ability to successfully manage teams from a variety of departments has made the Deputy County Executive vital in Onondaga County’s battle against COVID-19. Rooney has control over multiple county departments, including health, children and family services and emergency management. During the pandemic, that emergency system has allowed the county to help the community in many ways, including providing meals, childcare and even hotel rooms to first responders who might not feel safe coming home after work. With a strong focus on the health and safety of the community, Rooney said it was all possible with prior resources, preparedness, collaboration and a strong communication among county executives. “Nobody has a plug-and-play for a pandemic, but I have to say that we did have a lot of the pieces in place to respond to and meet the needs that were out there,” she said. “[We were] making sure that our response was really a 360-degree response, that health was critical, but we had to make sure that all the other pieces were in place.” Daily press briefings from the OCD have shown Rooney, County Executive Ryan McMahon and others DCEs providing a calm sense of normalcy. Rooney said the office works together as a team tremendously well, something they were already used to before the virus struck Onondaga County. “We have been here every day,” she said. “We aren’t working remotely. I think we’ve maintained safety through all this, but we are here, and I think that has aided our response as well to be nimble and able to respond to the emergencies of the day that present themselves literally every day.” Rooney received her master’s in public administration at Syracuse University in 1986. She worked within the defense department on Capitol Hill for a short time, but just like her home, local government was where her heart was.

“I think you can see a little bit more of the impact of your work [in local government],” she said. “I wanted to come back home. I was really thrilled that I had the opportunity to do so.” Rooney sees herself as a team player in every aspect of her life. She grew up playing sports, becoming one of the first girls to join a little league baseball team. She was even a franchise owner of Auntie Anne’s Soft Pretzels for 25 years. Rooney said being in charge of a small business gave her more public administration experience that made her relate to the struggles of small business owners, their employees and the real economic outlook of a community. It was all about working as a team to achieve a common goal. “If you’ve ever seen Auntie Anne’s pretzels being [made], they’re made right in front of the customer,” she said. “If one employee is falling down, we aren’t going to get those pretzels into the customer’s hands the way we need to, and that team approach certainly played out in that business model. I think it’s really assisted me in my role with county government and city government at the time because you see both sides of the coin. You can really translate that to your public work as well.” And because of her additional expertise as an adjunct professor at SU teaching classes on metropolitan government and politics, Rooney also recognizes the struggles surrounding students during this time. Public administration is really all about community-driven problem solving. What inspires her to continue making a difference is seeing what the people can do when they come together. “The team approach that we’ve taken since day one has really been beneficial to the community,” she said. “Somebody who has that drive to make our community better really can do that through the avenue of working for local government.” SWM

“Nobody has a plug-and-play for a pandemic, but I have to say that we did have a lot of the pieces in place to respond to and meet the needs that were out there.”—Ann Rooney

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MOVERS AND SHAKERS

Joins Auburn OBGYN practice

Dr. Amy Hoeft MacDonald has joined the Auburn Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice at Auburn Community Hospital. Dr. MacDonald is board certified in obstetrics and gynecology and a fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. She comes to Auburn after practicing in Rochester at ParkWest Women’s Health. Dr. MacDonald grew up in Skaneateles and received her medical degree at Upstate Medical University in Syracuse and completed her residency in obstetrics and gynecology at the University of Rochester in 2014. Her special interests are in obstetrics, contraception, family planning and minimally invasive surgery. “My family and I are excited to return to the Auburn community,” she said. “The Auburn Obstetrics and Gynecology Practice at Auburn Community Hospital has an excellent reputation and I am excited about being part of this practice that has a comprehensive focus on women’s health.” “We are thrilled to have Dr. MacDonald join our growing practice. She has an exceptional background and significant experience from her tenure in Rochester and we look forward to welcoming her in July,” said Dr. Loren Van Riper.

Shea named Fairmount library director

In May, Brenda Shea was appointed the executive director of the Fairmount Community Library. Shea brings years of experience of library innovation and outreach. She previously served as the director of children’s services & outreach and the director of innovative community engagement. Prior to her work at the Fairmount Community Library, Shea held a position at the Fayetteville Free Library as the director of marketing and

community relations. “Libraries have a unique opportunity to adapt to the changing needs of their patrons and community” Shea said. “I am so excited to lead FCL into a new era of growth and innovation.”

Stephanie Crockett named chair of United Way board

Mower’s Executive Vice President – Managing Director Stephanie Crockett was recently elected as chair of the board of directors of United Way of Central New York. Long a champion of the local nonprofit organization, which drives solutions to the most pressing human service community needs in the region, Crockett has been a board member since 2015. She most recently served a two-year period as vice chair. “As a marketing executive, I track efficiencies and measure outcomes against goals daily” Crockett said. “Our board is taking that same approach to the strategic counsel we offer United Way of Central New York’s administrative team. I have enormous respect for the work they do to raise money, identify issues, and align with community groups to develop special programs that will support our neighbors and drive meaningful change.” Challenges sparked by the global pandemic have underscored UWCNY’s role as more than a convener for non-profits. The organization is working collaboratively with county and city officials, leading the effort to recruit and deploy the staff of volunteers to help distribute goods to those dealing with food insecurity. Crockett also serves on the board of directors for CenterState CEO and Visit Syracuse. At Mower, Crockett leads the Syracuse branch of one of the largest independent marketing, advertising and public relations agencies in the United States.

Alyssa Ali is new director of Maxwell Memorial Library

As Alyssa Ali joins Maxwell Memorial Library as its new executive director, the circumstances are less than ideal, but that has not dampened her enthusiasm for the position at all. “I am excited to be here,” Ali said. “It is kind of a strange time to get started. It is kind of tough when you can’t meet everyone face to face and actually be in the library. But we are having Zoom meetings and getting to know everyone, and I am really excited to be a part of the library and look forward to meeting everyone in person. This time won’t last forever, and we will be there together again.” Ali has previous experience at the Canastota Public Library, as the assistant director of the Cazenovia Public Library, managing the Bryant & Stratton College Library and at the Manlius Library as the youth services librarian.

July 2020

Heroes Edition

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