October Birthdays
GAY MEN’S BOOK CLUB by Damian Mar nez Before the Gay & Bisexual Men’s Discussion Group came to an end back in March, a few of the guys men oned an old book club that existed for queer men and how they wished it was s ll around. When I brought up the idea of star ng a new gay men’s book club, there was a lot of energy and excitement from everyone in the group and from the community in general but, from experience, I have learned that energy and excitement doesn’t always mean great a endance. Needless to say, I was worried that I’d be the only one in the club, but I went ahead with star ng the group and I’m so glad I did. The book club started in May and I decided that it would only run through the summer. I figured it would sound more appealing if it was a “limited me only” deal. I have had an average of eleven members at each of the book discussions which were held at cafes in Buffalo, Amherst and Tonawanda. Since our first mee ng, we have read: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – I absolutely LOVED this book! I was worried that I wouldn’t find a love story between two men
believable if it was wri en by a heterosexual woman. Well, Madeline Miller made me eat it! I highly recommend this book. The Lover’s DicƟonary by David Levithan – This was the shortest, most awesome book EVER! The author took words from his “word of the day” pad from his desk and decided that he would define the words by applying them to his rela onship. It was brilliant and I am mad I didn’t think to do it first! The Stranger’s Child by Alan Hollinghurst – DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Currently, we are reading our final book of the season, The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky and, so far, I think it’s an awesome book – very “Catcher in the Rye –ish”. The Gay Men’s Summer Book Club will have its last group discussion on September 20th and then, as a final good bye, the group plans to see The Perks of Being a Wallflower which comes out in theaters Friday, September 21st. Let it be known that the guys who asked me to start the book club – and were “so excited” it was going to happen – never showed. #storyofmylife C
Norma Bocanegra – 10/1 Ma hew Pasquarella – 10/1 Cortney Anderson – 10/4 Lizzie Vazquez – 10/5 Sally Heron – 10/8 Seth Girod – 10/9 Lisa Schult – 10/9 Courtney Rhines – 10/11 Sally Burns – 10/14 Talor Struckmann – 10/15 Nicole Coonly – 10/21 Cornelia Meredith – 10/21 Lisa Zuppa – 10/21 Krista Fenske – 10/22 Aaron Garmon – 10/26 Wanda Jimenez – 10/31
October Anniversaries Ava Encarnacion – 2 years Carly Kane – 2 years Sheila Marcheson- 4 years Sally Burns – 6 years
Your Con nued Dedica on and Hard Work Are No ced and Appreciated! – The Management Team
CONNECTIONS CONTRIBUTORS PUBLISHER/LAYOUT JOHN CAROCCI EDITOR KIMBERLY HARDING CONTRIBUTORS SHEILA MARCHESON DAMIAN MARTINEZ, JOHNNY MORA ON THE COVER: GUARANTY BUILDING PHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN CAROCCI
Editor’s Note: this is a sneak previ
Johan A
shampoo commercial used to say, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." In fact, studies have shown we begin to form our lasting opinions of other people within 7 to 12 seconds of meeting them, and a bad first impression can be difficult — if not impossible — to overcome. At Evergreen Health Services, we work hard to make sure the first impression our visitors and callers receive is of a caring group of professionals who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Fortunately, we have a bit of a "secret weapon" in Administrative Assistant Johanna Aponte. Johanna's friendly smile and warm demeanor put first time visitors and callers at ease almost immediately, regardless of the circumstances. Johanna took a circular route to Evergreen Health Services. Born and raised in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, Johanna came to Buffalo at the age of 13. After two years in Buffalo she moved to Lacoochee, Florida, and then two years after that she returned to Buffalo. In December, 2004, she began work at Evergreen Health Services (then AIDS Community Services). "I remember when I was offered the job at ACS," says Johanna. "I went home and started practicing saying AIDS Community Services, this is Johanna
"Johanna is always able to bring a smile to anyone’s face whethe
iew of a pro ile that will appear in the upcoming issue of Pathways Magazine!
nna Aponte Story and Photo by John Carocci
speaking, how can I help you?" That practice must have paid off, because Johanna somehow makes a tough job look easy. In addition to working the switchboard for one of the agency's busiest areas, a typical day for Johanna includes filing, scanning, screening walk-in clients, translation and keeping track of staff schedules. Through it all — the daily chaos, new phone and computer systems to learn, extensions to memorize, even an agency-wide name change — her smile never wavers. "There is nothing that I don't like about my job," says Johanna. "I am very happy where I am and with the people I work with." The feeling is mutual. Johanna's co-workers gush with praise for Johanna's "smiling face" and "amazing personality", and go so far as to say "the fourth floor could never function without Johanna!" Clients seem to feel the same way. Johanna often receives phone calls from clients who just want to say thank you for everything she does. "Sometimes clients call just to talk," explains Johanna. "They say I always answer the phone with a smile, and if they're having a bad day they'll call me because it seems like their day gets better after talking to me. One client even called me to ask how to
make fried chicken without flour!" Says a co-worker, "I honestly believe many clients come back because of the kind spirit of Johanna Aponte — the kindness they received when first coming to the fourth floor and continue to receive today." All this sounds too good to be true, so I ask Johanna if there's anything she doesn't like about her work at Evergreen Health Services. "Sometimes I'm just not able to help a client," she says. "Sometimes it's just out of my hands, but I always try to find an answer or someone that could help. I also hate seeing newly diagnosed clients still coming in the door. It seems they are getting younger and younger." Outside of work, Johanna is mom to four children, ages 18, 14, 11 and 2. This means a full slate of baseball and softball and cheerleading events to attend. She also enjoys puzzles, reading, and she recently taught herself to crochet via YouTube. The big item on Johanna's bucket list is a trip to Spain. Evergreen Health Services is fortunate to have Johanna Aponte at the front lines, making a great first impression for us. Our staff and clients alike have come to depend on Johanna's professionalism, her caring, compassionate nature, and of course, her signature greeting: "buenas morning!" C
er it be staff or a client. She has a way of making everyone around her feel relaxed and comfortable."
The Co
My perfect day would consist of hiking a gorge trail alone, camera in hand, on a cool autumn morning. At lunchtime, I’d stop at a babbling brook to put my feet in the water, watch damselflies caress the water, and have a bite to eat from my backpack before continuing my hike. As evening approached, I’d set up my tent on a grassy knoll. Afterward, I would sit upon a rock formation which overlooks the gorge to have the last rays of a beautiful sunset alight upon me before night fell. - Kimberly Harding My perfect day is usually spent on the golf course with comfortable temperatures, clear skies, light winds, friends, and some lucky bounces my way! Cold beverages help too! - Patrick Butler I don’t like to travel, but I love to explore. My perfect day would be spent wandering around a strange neighborhood or an unfamiliar city. Nature is nice too, but it’s too easy for me to lose my bearings. - John Carocci
onnections Question
Central Terminal - Photos by John Carocci
referr
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he Substance Abuse Ini a ve at Evergreen Health Services is a referralbased program designed to guide substance abusers into treatment. Harm Reduc on Counselors Pratheep Sakas and Tiffany Macauley work diligently to engage substance abusers, build a trus ng rela onship, and link them to the treatment op on that is most appropriate for their situa on. “Treatment” can mean a number of things, from total abs nence in a rehabilita on program to drug replacement strategies such as the buprenorphine (suboxone) treatment program administered by Dr. Gbadamosi and the Evergreen Medical Group (Editor’s Note: Dr. Gbadamosi is one of only 20 doctors in the Western New York area cer fied to treat clients with buprenorphine). Buprenorphine has replaced methadone as the treatment drug of choice for opiate addic on, as its use is less rigidly controlled and it has
substance abuse initiative
PROGRAM SPOTLIGHT
rals that make sense by Tiffany Macauley, Harm Reduction Counselor
a lower poten al for abuse. Pratheep and I make ourselves available in the Syringe Exchange area to meet with clients on an individual basis to discuss any substance abuse related issues the client may be facing. Some simply need a listening ear, but other clients will express a desire to stop using. At that point, we try to engage them and give them informa on about the op ons available to them. Drug and alcohol abuse and addic on have many dimensions and disrupt many aspects of an individual’s life, so the decision to enter a treatment program is difficult, but we are there to guide them through the process with informa on and compassion. Knowing what choices are available, and what each process will be like, can help clients prepare themselves to take that first step. Our program is very client centered, and we treat each client on a case by case basis. We can even help clients without health insurance go to rehab, because we maintain
rela onships with treatment providers throughout Western New York in our effort to ensure clients are referred to the most appropriate places. Some clients start their journey to recovery with a trip to the nearest hospital emergency room for a medical detox if they are in withdrawal. Clients who are opiate-, benzodiazepine- or alcohol-dependent are possible candidates for detox. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is dangerous, and alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. Heroin withdrawal, as unpleasant as it is, is not considered deadly. In a detox situa on, clients are systema cally taken off drugs under a physician’s supervision, but this doesn’t address the psychological, behavioral or social issues which caused the addic on and so follow-up treatment is o en necessary a er detox is complete. A er detox, we can refer the client to a thirty day inpa ent rehabilita on. This can be a challenge, par cularly if they haven’t had experience with
outpa ent treatment. Many programs want to see that the client has a empted an outpa ent program in the past. The primary focus is medical stabiliza on, abs nence and lifestyle change. Most inpa ent rehabs in this area prac ce a modified twelve step approach with clients. Once a client completes rehab we can refer them to various outpa ent treatment facili es. Some clients may need referrals to psychologists or professional licensed counselors. Therapy can help individuals understand their behavior and mo ves, develop self esteem and learn healthy coping strategies in dealing with stress. For those clients who have completed rehab but feel they need addi onal support, clients can be referred to sober living. There are 35 sober living homes in Buffalo. Even a er sober living, some clients relapse. Clients can find themselves in a vicious cycle of recovery and relapse. We are here for clients to see them through. If there is a will, there is a way.
Keisha Leavy 1 When I was younger, I tried to save a baby bird by feeding it some of my egg roll. The poor birdie died almost immediately. I was devastated. 2 I am a le y; however, I cannot use my mouse with my le hand. 3 Yuuuuuuuuuppppppp!!! All my Storage Wars fans will understand this one, lol. 4 I cannot swim. I want to learn but I am so scared. 5 I love amusement parks. I’m like a big kid. 6 White Castle is the best! I always make a stop at this place when I go back home. 7 If Double Dutch was an Olympic sport, I’d win gold. 8 I learned how to drive when I was 26. Moving up here made me realize the actual need for a car. 9 Old school hip hop is my favorite. 10 Last but not least… I loathe cheese.
Mindi Mietlicki 1 I collect anything Ariel/ Li le Mermaid 2 I went to Paris and London last year for New Year’s 3 I have been working at EHS for over 4 years 4 I have a 5 yr old Pomeranian named Tova 5 I hate coffee but absolutely love tea 6 My mother is my hero 7 I am obsessed with Mighty Taco 8 I change my nail polish at least twice a week 9 My middle name is Lee 10 I love the Sex and the City tv series/movies
Ashlee Rudolph 1 I’m obsessed with horror culture, mostly zombies, and am planning to get a huge zombie ta oo. 2 I have a Hellraiser shrine in my bedroom, with comic books signed by Doug Bradley (Pinhead)! 3 My background is mostly in couples counseling. 4 I have 6 pets; 3 cats, 2 rats and a snake. 5 I secretly (or I guess not so secretly) love Hanson and have seen them twice in concert. Don’t judge. 6 I was born in Georgia. 7 I used to make my own clothes in high school. 8 My husband and I are from the same hometown, but didn’t meet ‘ l college. 9 I love anything horror-related, but Haunted Houses freak me out! 10 I have been afraid of horses forever, but recently conquered my fear while on vaca on!
Amajaraya Hunter 1 I recently learned from Nicole C. that I’m supposed to sit in a booster seat because I’m only 4’9” 2 I don’t know what my name means 3 I can’t swim 4 I went to Cosmetology school (I’m not licensed) 5 I have a tape fe sh (don’t judge me) 6 I have 7 siblings 7 Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons 8 I enjoy traveling 9 I love amusement parks and roller coasters 10 I enjoy listening to all genres of music
Ivana B. 1 My full name is Ivana B. Saphe. 2 As you can see, I’m very stylish. This ou it is a Johnny Mora original. 3 I like reminding visitors to be safe. 4 I hate it when people call me a dummy. 5 My skin has a silvery nt that I get from using Krylon skin care products. 6 I’m kind of hot for someone who doesn’t have a face. 7 That’s my BFF Jamila in the picture with me. I think she’s jealous of my hat. 8 Believe it or not this dress is completely waterproof! 9 Fortunately I’m not allergic to hot glue. 10 I love my home in the tes ng area.
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While not used o en in computer terminology, the term for half a byte is called a “nibble”. “Sugar Daddy” was coined by Alma Spreckels as a nickname for her husband, Adolph — head of Spreckels Sugar Company — who was 24 years her senior. Every American ci zen is en tled to a free copy of their credit report every 12 months. By the me you go to bed at night, you are about 1 cen meter shorter than when you woke up that morning. This is because the car lage between your bones is compressed throughout the day. Johnny Appleseed set out to plant apple trees for hard cider, not for ea ng.
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by Johnny Mora
Back in Ecuador, I remember my older rela ves dressing up as hippies back in the ‘70s, perhaps as an homage to the Woodstock fes val in 1969. From the highway, Woodstock New York always seemed to be o the way to my final des na on. However I had the chance to visit this enchanted place, where some of the people had never le , and to make this experience more exci ng, I was lucky enough to see a li le parade, which was part of the Woodstock Transi onal Fes val 2012. The marchers were very colorful and crea ve with their costumes, signs and music.