YOU
have been hearing a lot about Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) at Evergreen lately. PrEP is a prescription medication that, when taken daily, reduces someone’s risk of getting HIV by 99 percent by blocking the virus from reproducing. It has become an important part of our mission to keep Western New York healthy. Jacob Abraham is Evergreen’s PrEP Outreach Specialist and Michael Canty is our PrEP Support Assistant. Their job is to engage communities at risk for HIV and educate them about PrEP and the services we offer at Evergreen. Because outreach is a big part of their job, Jacob and Michael don’t
have “typical” workdays. “The job is a mix of things,” said Michael. “During the day Jake and I plan events, contact providers who don’t prescribe PrEP and seek out new opportunities to reach potential clients.” Jacob notes that it’s definitely not a nine-to-five office job. “We go to places like barber shops, cafes and college campuses. We’re often out on evenings and weekends tabling and handing out swag.” Jacob and Michael have quickly become a recognizable presence in the community and people are generally receptive to their message. “We have a lot of people come up to us and ask about our program,” said Jacob. “Often
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the less someone understands about HIV and PrEP the more important it is that we reach them - Michael Canty
they want more information on Evergreen.” They also have questions about PrEP. “I’d say the most common questions or concerns are about cost, effectiveness and side effects,” said Jacob. “Many people have heard that PrEP is expensive. We tell them Evergreen has programs to help most people with the cost of office visits, copays, and PrEP itself. Most people who see our providers and use our pharmacy pay $0 out of pocket for PrEP. Other people have heard that there are side effects to taking PrEP that they fear may interfere with their life. Obviously side effects are possible with any medication, but we reassure them that PrEP has very few side effects, and that we will be there to help with any that may arise.” “There are patterns of stigma surrounding conversations about sexual health,” added Michael. “And we deal with a lot of misinformation and myths about PrEP. But we actually want to have those kinds of encounters. The less someone understands about HIV and PrEP, the more important it is that we reach them.” Working around stigma and misinformation is part of the job and Jacob notes that coming up with new ways to reach communities at risk is another challenge. “We can’t always do the same outreach,” said Jacob. “We have to figure out ways to move around the counties we serve as well as provide information at different times of the day, in different places and in different modes so that individuals who may not be reached in one way still have an opportunity to learn
more about PrEP.” Jacob and Michael are both glad to be part of the Evergreen team. “Best job ever,” said Michael. “The PrEP Team had a great thing going before I joined and I feel fortunate to be a part of the things to come! My first day, it was like the scene in Annie when she sings I Think I’m Gonna Like it Here. Ask Matt, I was half way through the third refrain before they stopped me.” “I’ve been at Evergreen for about three months now,” said Jacob. “It’s a great place to work. Organizations like Evergreen do so much for the community and I feel excited and grateful to be able to work here. The other employees have also been so helpful in the adjustment period, which I’m incredibly appreciative for!” Michael grew up in Buffalo. He is in his last year of his bachelor’s degree at UB, studying economics, geography and mathematics. In his spare time (?!) he is working on a book chapter about HIV and health equity through UB’s Center of Excellence for Global Health Equity. “One day,” said Michael “I would like to pursue a master’s of Public Health to study mental health disparities in marginalized communities.” Jacob grew up in Auburn, about a half hour from Syracuse. He graduated from Keuka College with a bachelor’s degree in social work, and then from UB with a master’s degree in social work. He has a kitten he adopted from South Carolina, and a hedgehog named Teddy. And that seems like a good place to end this story. Connections
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ining Out For Life (DOFL) is Evergreen’s most delicious event. On Tuesday, October 10th more than 90 Western New York restaurants will donate a minimum of 25 percent of your food bill to support Evergreen’s HIV programs and services. What
can you do to help? Spread the Word You can promote DOFL by encouraging your friends and family to dine out on October 10th. Send an email or post on your social media accounts. Include a personal message if possible, and explain why DOFL is so important to Evergreen. Dine Out For Life! Enjoy a delicious meal at a participating restaurant on October 10th and you’ll really be helping to make the event a success. There’s something on the menu for nearly any taste or budget, from lavish gourmet meals to pizza and wings. Best of all, there are no dishes to wash! For an updated list of participating restaurants, visit diningoutforlife.com/wny.
Connections
October Birthdays Norma Bocanegra..................October 1 Jacob Abraham......................October 1 Matthew John Pasquarella......October 1 DeJuan Burnell......................October 1 Lauren Voelkle......................October 3 Cortney Anderson..................October 4 Lizzie Vazquez.......................October 5 Heather Maloney...................October 6 Beverly Jones.........................October 7 Kathleen Crissey....................October 8 Christina Mihalitsas...............October 9 Shawn Jenner........................October 10 Samantha Starke....................October 10 Courtney Rhines....................October 11 Bianca Morris........................October 12 Wallace Benson.....................October 13 Stephani Miranda..................October 14 Christina Cornell...................October 14 Richard Baer.........................October 15 Dawn Trotter.........................October 20 Heather McCarthy.................October 20 Cornelia Meredith.................October 21 Nicole Coonly........................October 21 Krista Orrange.......................October 22 Mariel Walsh.........................October 22 Richard Fleurant...................October 24 Susan Buck............................October 26 Denise Scull..........................October 29 Jordan Valley.........................October 31
October Anniversaries Joseph Pignatora...................1 year Ann Breidenstein..................1 year
EVERGREEN
Kyle Switzer..........................1 year
News is a magazine for anyone who receives services from the
Evergreen Association and/or its affiliates. This includes clients and patients of Evergreen Health, Primary & Specialty Care, the Pride Center, Community Access Services, the Pharmacy
Adam Costanza......................1 year Michael Ludwick...................1 year Robert Moore........................1 year Mark Wolf.............................1 year Mayerling Garofalo................1 year Shirly Bruno..........................1 year
and the Harm Reduction Center. It also includes residents of the
Sashira Quintana...................1 year
Lofts. Evergreen News helps us share information and updates
Erin Pepicello........................1 year
with our clients, especially during periods of construction or
Alex Marranca.......................1 year
major changes. In other words, “always�. Our readers are already
Julie Rapp.............................1 year
connected to Evergreen, but Evergreen News has information
Veronica Velazquez................2 years
on other agency services they may not know about. It also helps
Ian Eastman..........................2 years
create a sense of community among our clients and patients, as they read about others who are sharing similar struggles and triumphs. We publish Evergreen News quarterly, and feature client profiles, information about agency programs, support group listings and more in each issue. If you work with someone
Gabrielle Mahapatra..............2 years Sanders Sanders....................2 years David Haefner.......................2 years Danielle Shaw.......................2 years Quentin Page.........................2 years Theo Herman........................2 years
who would be interested in sharing their story through Evergreen
Maria Cruz............................2 years
News, or if you have a story suggestion to promote an agency
Emily Oaks............................3 years
Connections
Mindi Mietlicki......................3 years
program, please email John Carocci.
Brittani McKay......................3 years Christopher Miller.................4 years Laurie Abbatessa...................4 years Lindsey Soroka......................5 years Siobhan Fitzgerald-Matson.....5 years Sheila Marcheson..................9 years
ON
August 28th at approximately 9 p.m., police arrived at the Delta Sonic on Transit Road in Clarence responding to a report of a skimming device attached to the store’s ATM. Skimming devices are used to collect credit card information from users without their knowledge or consent. A customer noticed the skimming device before using the ATM and notified store employees, who then called the police. A review of security footage indicated that an unidentified male entered the store at approximately 7:15 p.m. and placed the skimming device on the ATM. The device was equipped with a memory card, similar to those found in digital cameras, for the sole purpose of capturing credit card information. The man proceeded to the cash register, made a small purchase and left the store. This incident is an example of cyber hacking, which can take many forms. The Pharmacy at Evergreen uses point-of-sale (POS) machines for our patients to pay for their prescriptions. These devices are patient facing, and so we should be proactive and attempt to give these devices a once over after each use to ensure that they have not been tampered with or altered in any way. These types of incidents should not be taken lightly. There are measures you can take to make sure you don’t
become a victim. As the holiday season approaches, I encourage you to be vigilant whenever making transactions using your credit or debit cards. Here are some precautionary steps that I always take before using an ATM: 1. First, inspect the ATM and the area surrounding it. Be sure there aren’t any other devices attached to it that look out of place or suspicious. 2. If there are multiple ATMs next to one another, compare the machines. Use them only if the panels and buttons on all machines are identical. 3. Avoid the use of debit which requires a PIN at the gas pump. Always choose the credit option as in this case you only have to enter your billing zip code rather than your PIN. 4. Always hide the number pad with your hand when using an ATM, even if you are alone. Some skimmers have been known to use hidden cameras to steal your PIN. 5. When in stores always check your receipt. There have been reports of cashiers utilizing the cash back option as a way to steal money from unsuspecting customers. Connections
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ccording to the New England Journal of Medicine, more than 2.4 million Americans have an opioid dependence involving pain medications and/or heroin. Overdose deaths have outpaced those from automobile accidents since 2013 and, in fact, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that 91 Americans die of an opioid overdose every day. Many are comparing the opioid crisis to the worst days of the AIDS epidemic: the appalling death toll, and the stigma and lack of a plan of action. For those who have lived through both, these comparisons ring true. Andrew Mattle and Kate Gallivan were on the front lines during the AIDS epidemic, when Evergreen was AIDS Community Services. Connections sat down with Andrew and Kate to talk about how the opioid crisis is — and isn’t — like the AIDS epidemic. Stigma | People living with HIV and people struggling with substance use have both had to deal with judgment from family, friends and society as a whole, which considers HIV and substance use moral failures rather than health issues. It’s common for our clients to have limited or no support system and we’ve had to step in and fill that role for many of them. Stigma also affects families. It isolates them and makes it hard to speak out or ask for help,
something maybe they’ve never had to do. Stigma creates division and tension, making it difficult to offer support to the person in need. Today, clients support each other more so than in the past. Thanks to our Wellness Center and Harm Reduction Center, there is a real community and people look out for each other as much as they can. response | Evergreen learned a lot from the AIDS epidemic. The flexibility necessary to adapt to constant change is embedded in our culture and our infrastructure. We’ve always been willing to try new approaches, to build on what works and learn from what doesn’t. Today, that means Evergreen is focusing on innovative solutions rather than trying to use a one size fits all approach. The response from society to the opioid crisis has been similar to that of the AIDS epidemic. As AIDS became one of the largest threats to public health, nobody knew how to deal with the problem. “Solve it,” we were told. In a way, that was good, because we were free to build our programs and services from the ground up, on our own terms. The same thing is happening today with the opioid crisis. We have the opportunity to create and implement innovative approaches to really make a difference in the lives of those who use substances. We have the opportunity to take the lead and save lives.
evergreen | We don’t judge. We didn’t then and we don’t now. Evergreen has always embraced the Harm Reduction philosophy. Now we’re helping people use less or reduce their risk when they use. We still have a lot of work to do in educating people about how we think harm reduction is an approach that can really make a difference. “Are you out of your minds?” they used to ask us. “You’re encouraging people to have sex.” Today it’s “are you out of your minds? You’re encouraging people to shoot up.” Our answer today is the same as it was then. We believe in reducing the harms associated with risky behavior through services and programs that promote health and safety. We believe everyone deserves to be treated with dignity. We're here to meet them where they are. We learned long ago that harm reduction builds trust, allowing clients to take control of their life. Judgement pushes them away, out of the reach of help. then & now | During the AIDS epidemic people got sick and the sickness would progress until they died. We worked with our clients to put their affairs in order, make sure their children were provided for, all with the sound of a ticking clock in the background. When a client died it was terrible, but usually not unexpected. Today the epidemic is different. You might see a participant on Tuesday
and everything is fine. Then on Thursday you find out they died from an overdose. It’s shocking. You always wonder if you could have done more. The people affected by the opioid crisis have more power and visibility than the HIV/AIDS community did. Early on, the AIDS epidemic was concentrated in the gay male community, in big cities, and for a long time it was easy for someone without gay family members or friends to simply ignore it. Today’s opioid crisis reaches farther into suburban and rural communities than the AIDS epidemic did, and those communities are less able to cope with the crisis or its effects. the lessons learned | AIDS had a tragic impact on America, but eventually medical advances and social awareness helped make HIV a manageable chronic health issue. Hopefully the lessons learned from the epidemic will help us cope with, and eventually stop, the opioid crisis. Connections
Editor’s Note: this article originally appeared in the Autumn 2017 issue of Pathways Magazine. Special thanks to Andrew and Kate for sharing their unique perspective.
At Evergreen we pride ourselves in doing business and supporting like-minded organizations that align with our mission and core values. By now, you’ve probably heard of our new initiative “Intentional Spend”. The leadership at Evergreen is committed to purchasing from companies that reflect and look like us! That means we will be intentional when we spend for everyday purchases, building renovations and grants. We’re striving for 70 percent of our purchases to be from the types of businesses shown in the list at right.
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Call to Action Send us the name of your favorite catering businesses that align with the types of businesses listed here. As we prepare to increase our intentional spend, we could use your help in identifying more diverse business vendor suppliers! Please send your catering recommendations to diversity-inclusion@evergreenhs.org.
- Ekua Mends-Aidoo
• LGBTQ-Owned • Women-Owned • Minority-Owned • Veteran-Owned • Service Disabled Veteran-Owned • Local • Small
“Away message” – why did we ever get rid of those? — Billy Sandora-Nastyn
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I wish
people would start saying “bet” again to affirm an arrangement. “Okay, I’ll see you at the McDonald’s on Niagara in 10 minutes.” “Bet.” — Sal Sciandra Brittany Price
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Cowabunga, dude! —
Saying “NOT!” after something sarcastic. Like, “oh, that new Taylor Swift
album is really good. NOT!” — John Carocci
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This one is from the 60s and was also the
title of a good song: “Respect Yourself”. I believe it was done by the Staples Singers. A blast from the past! — Trish Hopkins
High-Five Recipients from August 19 to September 19 >>
High-Five. Noun. A gesture of greeting, good-fellowship or triumph in which a person slaps the upraised palm of the hand against that of another. At Evergreen, we love to give highfives! Here’s a list of everyone who was lucky enough to get their upraised palm slapped this past month. Well, really they just got a virtual high-five. But, that’s still pretty cool. Since the program started, 262 high-fives have been sent. We’ll be featuring our high-five recipients each month so be sure to slap someone’s hand, virtually, who deserves it!
Connections
Christina Mihalitsas Christine Marrano Cord Stone Danielle Shaw David Setlock Dawn Ganoe DeJuan Burnell Drew DiRienzo Erika Szymanski Gary Nigro Jacob Marsh Jacquelynn Huntz Jessica Lehner Jim Gerwitz Jimi Konidis Julie Mayer Julie Rapp Justin Azzarella Kadie Desbordes Kaitlyn Gately Katie Mego Keisha Leavy Kim Clarke Kim Harding Kim Lombard Kyle Switzer LaTanya Walton-Brown Laurie Abbatessa Linda Colburn Liza Pereira Lori Anthony Mayerling Garofalo Melissa Delgado Rebekah Russell Ricardo Quiros Richmond Wills Rosemary Roche Sally Russell Samantha Gaerte Thomas Greene
Recently participants from the Art Therapy group had an opportunity to work with clay and pottery, thanks to a collaboration with Locust Street Art. Locust Street Art is a not-for-profit art school located at 138 Locust Street. They offer free studio art classes for children and adults. Our clients learned the basics of managing clay as a medium and explored a variety of techniques including building with coils or slabs of clay. They also learned a bit about the unpredictable nature of clay when our first efforts blew up in the kiln. After our next pieces were completed we learned about the process of glazing and the second firing that’s required to cure the glaze. Despite the frustrations the clients enjoyed the process, some finding the tactile experience of clay very calming. All of them would enjoy taking the class again. - Laura Pasquarella
Ekua Mends-Aidoo led a tour of Evergreen for Leadership Buffalo’s Class Experience group. The group was here for their Health Care Day site visit. While here they met with Evergreen staff to learn more about us and the services we provide to the larger community. As Ekua said, “we both share the same focus in making Buffalo better!” Connections