My favorite memory happens every year. It is hearing the splash of water from 500 flowers being tossed into Hoyt Lake, followed by silence. The love and energy from that moment fuels the work I do all year long to help support our clients. – Christopher Reybrouck Seeing how much was raised. – Marlyn Moore I don’t have a specific favorite memory. I just love the Walk. I love how we all come together and honor the ones we’ve lost, and celebrate those who are still here with us. It’s just an amazing day, a beautiful reminder. – Maisha Drayton My favorite part of AIDS Walk every year is the flower ceremony. It gives me chills, and is a beautiful way to begin the walk! – Nicole Coonly My favorite memory is from 2012, when Julie Vaughn and I, along with the clients of the Wellness Center, formed The Wellness Crew-Saders! We made tie dyed t-shirts, and raised almost $500. James Hill was our top fundraiser, and raised most of his money by asking people on the street for donations. – Lindsay Zasada Watching empty porta-potties tipping over and blowing across Niagara Square the year we had a tornado warning on the day of AIDS Walk. At least I hope they were empty. – John Carocci
Care Coordina on is a core Evergreen service. For many of our clients, Care Coordina on is instrumental to helping them find and adhere to medical care and related social services. The Care Coordinator o en acts as a link between the client and the medical and social services that the client needs — breaking down the barriers to care as they go. For some of our clients, the barriers to services seem impossible. Imagine being sick or needing help, and being unable to communicate with the people who might be able to help you. Many of our clients don’t speak or read English — which creates an addi onal, enormous barrier between them and the care that they need. In this two-part feature, we’ll hear about Saw Min and Fallah Kassar — two special Care Coordinators who have broken through possibly the largest barrier that our clients face: the language barrier. This month, we’ll hear Saw’s story about providing care coordina on service to Western New York’s Burmese community. Next month, we’ll hear about Fallah. Saw Min, a former teacher who originates from Burma, provides Care Coordina on services to Evergreen clients from Burma/Myanmar,
who come to Buffalo from refugee camps in Thailand, Malaysia, and India. Although most of Saw’s clients are from Burma, they don’t all speak Burmese — yet another barrier for Saw to break through. Saw explains that Burmese is the official language of Burma; it’s taught in schools. But, in Burma there are also several ethnic groups that have their own languages — what our clients mostly speak. Unless a client has had formal schooling, it is unlikely that they can read or write Burmese fluently. The biggest challenge that Burmese clients face, Saw reports, is adjus ng to everyday life in America. Thankfully, Saw and Evergreen are here to help clients make that adjustment, and find the services that they need to thrive. Every me he works with a client, Saw says, it’s an achievement. In some cases, Saw works with clients for months, helping them navigate medical and social systems, to achieve a goal. Saw’s biggest successes to date are helping a client arrange for a kidney transplant, and helping a family purchase a home. In his free me, Saw likes to work in his house and yard. His favorite Evergreen event is AIDS Walk. C
Angela Palmer Vice President of Community Services Why is this soŌware conversion important to you? As an associa on, each program area will be able to view a client’s profile, and see what services they are linked with and where service gaps may be. What sƟnks about the current soŌware? It silos program areas, and does not allow us to help our clients take advantage of all the great services we offer. What do you think will be the best outcome? As an associa on, we all will be on the same page! It’s pizza night… I love pizza! Cheese, pepperoni, olives, and mushrooms!
Kevin Bidtah Senior Director of Informa on Technology What department are you part of at Evergreen? I work in Informa on Technology. Why is this soŌware conversion important to you? It will help us make more informed decisions regarding our clients. It can help EHS staff connect and collaborate with each other when planning the best care for the people who come to us for help. As for the data we will gather, it points us in the right direc on towards things like data analy cs, improving outcomes, and connec ng to the larger community of healthcare systems in Western New York. What sƟnks the most about the soŌware(s) we have now? It does not fix itself. What do you think will be the best outcome of the conversion once it’s complete? In my mind, the best outcome is that the systems make sense, are easy to use, and they help our staff help people. It’s pizza night! What toppings are you ordering? My kids are fans of pepperoni and cheese. They outvote me every me. Editor’s Note: watch for updates on the ongoing so ware conversion project in future issues of Connec ons!
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IN
1989, a group of friends gathered at AIDS Community Services (now Evergreen Health Services) to create a fabric collage in honor of a friend they had lost to AIDS. As they worked on the collage, sharing their stories and memories, they realized that doing so eased their grief. By the time they were finished, they had an idea about helping others make fabric memorials for their loved ones who had died from AIDS. They approached agency staff with the idea, and the Mending of the Hearts Memorial Project was born. Since then, nearly 100 fabric panels have been made in memory of Western New Yorkers who have
died from AIDS. The collection has been displayed throughout the region, helping raise awareness about HIV and AIDS in our community. Recognizing the devastating impact of the AIDS epidemic in LGBTQ communities, the Pride Center invited Evergreen Health Services to display panels that were made for local LGBTQ community members as part of their local art initiative. A different panel will be featured every other month at the Pride Center to honor and remember those who lived with HIV before there were effective treatments like there are today. The first panel to be displayed honors Jimmy Smith. – Kate Gallivan
Remembering Jimmy Smith Anyone who was part of Buffalo’s LGBTQ community in the 1980’s knew Jimmy Smith. Ruggedly handsome, Jimmy was a popular bartender, and later owned Bulldog Lil’s, an infamous establishment on Pearl Street. When the AIDS epidemic began, Jimmy was one of Buffalo’s first activists and fundraisers. He was also known for organizing Buffalo’s annual Gay Picnic & Games, which brought together hundreds of people each summer for good food, drink, and friendly competition. This panel was made by Jimmy’s many friends, colleagues, and family members to keep his memory alive. C
Up For A Challenge? Come join us! We’re a group of Evergreen staff looking to get or stay in shape, get some exercise during our lunch break, and be socially connected all at the same time. We meet at noon every Monday (weather permitting) outside the front door of 206 South Elmwood, walk down to City Hall and climb all 27 flights of stairs (anything close counts. Each person walks at their own pace) up to the observation floor to take in a breathtaking view of the city. It’s roughly a 10 minute walk up the stairs – and much easier coming down, I may add! We’d love to have you join us.
Note: this is all voluntary, not associated with the Evergreen Association and without coercion or peer pressure!
Birthdays Amajaraya Hunter ............................... June 3 Ileana Hernandez ................................ June 6 Tara Monaco ....................................... June 6 Sean Tulumello.................................... June 7 Seung Opyrchal ................................... June 8 Alan Benjamin ..................................... June 8 Cheryl Lyon.......................................... June 13 Ron Silverio ......................................... June 16 Ashley Kuss.......................................... June 19 Daisy Rochez ....................................... June 21 Salvatore Sciandra............................... June 23 Emily Oaks ........................................... June 24 Crystal White....................................... June 26 Constance Butler................................. June 26 Brian Planty ......................................... June 28 Patricia Rusinek. .................................. June 29
Anniversaries Elise Robinson.......................................1 year Jacelyn Lyles..........................................1 year Tasheri Ar s ..........................................1 year Colleen Lewis ........................................1 year Susan Buck ............................................1 year Giovanna Gasbarre...............................1 year Cheryl Lyon ...........................................1 year Susan Niedermayer ..............................1 year Denise Scull...........................................1 year Kristen Bown.........................................1 year Corey Mohr...........................................1 year Kristen Rickey........................................1 years Courtney Voss.......................................2 years Shannon Curry ......................................2 years Daryl Ashley ..........................................2 years Kathryn Diebold ....................................4 years Ray Ganoe.............................................9 years Brendan Orrange ..................................9 years Elisa Luciano .........................................15 years Your ConƟnued DedicaƟon and Hard Work Are NoƟced and Appreciated - Management Team
Lindsay Zasada is the runaway winner of this month’s “Most Submissions” prize! Top: Lindsay’s niece enjoys a visit to the Garden at the Victorian, especially the fish pond! Bottom: We have Dogbook and Kitty Twitter, but this is the first tortoise we’ve ever featured in the pages of Connections. Meet Marla, a 10 year old Russian Tortoise who loves raspberries, sunbathing, and sleeping on vents. Since Russian Tortoises (Torti?) can live to be 100 years old or more, Marla is still just a little baby!
Jimi’s Search for Roller Coasters Has Him...
CAMPING IT UP AT DARIEN DARIEN
Lake has been a summer staple for Western New Yorkers for decades. It’s a fun li le park that has something for everyone: thrill rides, a water park, kid-friendly entertainment, camping, overpriced fair food, and much, much more! Every summer, Darien Lake introduces new a rac ons to draw customers back in, in case people have grown bored of the same old same old. Some mes it’s exci ng, and some mes the announcement feels like a deflated balloon. This summer has both a great addi on, and a ride we’ve seen in carnivals since they began pu ng powdered sugar on fried dough. I went camping at Darien Lake this Memorial Day weekend, and I must say the park is cleaner and more vibrant than I remembered. Much of the park looked freshly painted, and the staff members weren’t yet bi er from the long summer. I highly recommend camping to
get the full experience, especially if you like to party. There are many ways to camp: you can pitch a tent, rent a cabin or RV, bring your own RV, or rent one of their glamping tents. Something for everyone, even for the high-maintenance types (there’s a hotel for extreme cases). I’ve been going to Darien Lake pre y much every year since I was li le. I used to stuff my shoes with toilet paper to get on the Viper. I rode every ride in the park countless mes, and it does get to a point when you fall out of love with Darien Lake. They add new rides to keep us interested, but the lack of new coasters makes me want to file for divorce. This summer they added two a rac ons to the park, The Rolling Thunder, and Brain Drain at their water park, Splashtown. The la er is something very special for the aqua c entertainment enthusiast. Brain Drain is 70 feet in the air and 300 feet of slide, that shoots you
out into a nice, refreshing pool. It’s intense, and a great selling point for the ever growing Splashtown. I can spend the whole day at the water park, and if Darien Lake con nues giving more choices of water rides, you can, too! And then we have The Rolling Thunder — a regurgitated “thrill” ride that was called “Ring of Fire” at fairs and carnivals. It’s not a bad ride; it could even make a grown man turn green from going upside down many, many mes. These kinds of rides are like accessories for a park, but the real bread and bu er are the coasters. I guess I’m just bi er because they haven’t built a good roller coaster since the Superman (now Ride of Steel). We need new, innova ve rides at Darien Lake, so I would want to come back more than once a summer. I love that we have Darien Lake close to us, but in order for me to buy a season pass, they’d be er start sa sfying the thrill seeker in me. C
$500 IS A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY. WITH $500, YOU COULD BUY $.........87 Mike sandwiches at Spot $.........60 souvlaki wraps at Rachel’s $.........35 lunches at Bourbon & Butter ...........It’s easier than ever to earn ...........$500 from Evergreen’s ...........Employee Referral Program!
Here’s How: 1 ..........Refer a qualified friend 2 .........Rack up your rewards! ...........$100 after referee is ...........employed for 30 days ...........$150 after referee is ...........employed for six months ...........$250 after referee is ...........employed for one year
Don’t Forget! $.........Tell your friend to write ...........your name on their application $.........Fill out the Employee Referral ...........Form, and return it to HR $.........Enjoy 66 hot carved sandwiches ...........from Emerson on Evergreen!
The earliest crushes that I can remember are Billy Ray Cyrus (but, seriously, rewatch Achy Breaky Heart) and Bill Pullman (he was so dreamy as the dad in Casper). - Martha Sawicki A Lisa from Saved by the bell. - Cecil Sutton A Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman. - Christopher Reybrouck A Laura Dern. Girrrrrl. - Sal Sciandra A Janet Jackson was and still is my celebrity crush. - Marlyn Moore A My first celebrity crush was Hot Lips Houlihan (I was just a little thing) but then it was Gillian Anderson from the X Files. - Nichole Frank A Malcolm Jamal Warner as Theo on The Cosby show… yummy. - Maisha Drayton A My first crush was Jonathan Taylor Thomas (JTT). - Mindi Mietlicki A When I was 17, I had a big crush on Mark Farner of Grand Funk Railroad. When I got my first dog, I named her “Farner”, after him. Every time I told people her name, they always thought I was saying “Foreigner”, so I needed to spell it out each and every time – “No, Farner, F-A-R-N-E-R”! I usually had to tell them who she was named after as well. She was with me for 17 years, and there were many memorable moments. - Trish Hopkins A My first celebrity crush was (and is) Maggie Gyllenhaal. MEOW. - Lindsay Zasada A Alasdair Gillis from Nickelodeon’s You Can’t Do That on Television Matthew Crehan Higgins A My first celebrity crush was Julie Andrews, followed by Shirley Jones. - Anne Hartley Pfohl A The Professor from Gilligans Island. - Kimberly Lombard A Kitty Carlisle - John Carocci
Evergreen is observing National HIV Testing Day (June 27) on Friday, June 26th. To recognize the occasion, Connections spent 10 minutes with Steve Rein, Evergreen Medical Group’s Test Counselor. What do you do at Evergreen? I test patients for HIV, Hep C, and STIs through our walk-in clinic. How long have you been with Evergreen? In August, it will be a year that I’ve been with the agency. I did a little shadowing at EMG with Jason Rein (my cousin), and Lolita Tramel (who at that time was Lolita Small) for about a year before officially starting to work here. What’s something that’s not in your job description that has become part of your role? At the STI clinic, we serve as guides for our patients to other services provided by Evergreen. For many of our patients, getting tested is their first interaction with EHS, and they are often unaware of all the
ways we can help them. We make referrals to any service we think might benefit an individual, and some of them find a new home with us. What’s something that your co-workers might not know about your job? I’m not sure if enough people realize how fun it is to draw blood. What’s the most important part of your job? The education that we provide our patients with is by far the most important thing that we do. Many of our patients, both young and old, have been raised hearing only a message of abstinence as a way of being safe. We work to remove the stigma from discussions about sexual health, and show people ways to be safe while engaging in normal
sexual practices. When I’m not at work I’m… I am usually doing Acro-yoga, regular yoga, biking, kayaking, or watching a movie with my lovely girlfriend. Spot or Starbucks? It would definitely be Spot—a hot chai latte specifically. Hamburger or hot dog? Hamburger—but when you live with a vegetarian, this usually ends up being a quinoa and black bean burger (which is just as good). Roller coaster or ferris wheel? Roller coasters! I can sometimes be heard bragging that I will ride any roller coaster, anywhere, no matter how intense. Camping or Glamping? I have no idea what “glamping” is, but I’m sure that—even if I did—I would still choose camping. C
Connections JUNE 2015
Patricia Rusinek
Max Crinnin
John Carocci
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COPY EDITOR
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Martha Sawicki
CONTRIBUTORS Tasheri Artis Ellen Kaminsky Jimi Konidis Martha Sawicki Lindsay Zasada Kate Gallivan Misty Wolff Connections is a monthly newsletter for the employees of the Evergreen Association (that’s you). Send suggestions, photos, story ideas, or a friendly hello to John Carocci. We’ll keep you connected to the Evergreen family!
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I am sƟll trying to change the world even though I’ve been told “I can’t”. I love to play tennis. I enjoy cooking and I’ve been told that I am “the most adventurous eater” my friends have known. I have three dogs - a golden doodle, Jack Russell and a dalmaƟan/Jack Russell mix breed. I have an adult daughter and adult son who I absolutely adore, and enjoy doing fun adventurous acƟviƟes with my family.
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Kasha Lebron 1. 2. 3.
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I love the color purple. Not the movie, the actual color. I graduated from Daemen College. I have a furry baby with four legs who greets me every day when I open my door. I love music. I know nothing about sports. I’m sorry.
I visit Germany almost every year and speak fluent German. SomeƟmes I play guitar and sing in a band I helped start at UB. We play aggressive folk music, if that’s a thing. I love “chick flicks” - Nora Ephron (RIP) is one of my heroes. I am applying to medical school, but I am an English major. I spend a lot of my Ɵme obsessing over and dreaming about (literally) surfing, something I only get to do once a year. I snowboard in the winter, and I grew up as a skater in my formaƟve years.
Maureen Penzoƫ 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.
I have an amazing son, Anthony, who is the light of my life. I volunteer at a firehall and hope to soon be a volunteer EMT. My favorite book is “A Child Called It”. I love to fish. Sushi and white chocolate are my favorite foods (not at the same Ɵme).
Evergreen is a hub of knowledge and information. Our staff are seasoned experts in all kinds of things, and bring their experience and connections to our table. Our coworkers are one of our biggest assets to serving our clients. This month, ask yourself, how well am I using my coworkers to help me help others? Here are some tips to tap into Evergreen’s shared expertise: • • • •
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Get to know our staff. If you know who works here and what they do, you’ll have a better sense of who to ask when a client needs help. Use your colleagues’ expertise. We’re all good at different things, know different people, and have access to different resources. Don’t stop until you find the answer. You may not be able to answer a client’s questions, but someone here can. Take time to help. In the moment, it might feel like you don’t have time to call other staff or send extra emails. But, consider the positive impact that the time you spend will have on a client’s life. Learn about our community’s resources. In the rare case that Evergreen can’t help a client in need, know who to make a referral to.