My favorite entertainer of all time is, hands down, James Brown. Nobody could command a band like he could. And those legs! Shimmy shimmy shimmy! — Lindsay Zasada | Favorite entertainers I’ve seen… George Carlin and Garth Brooks. — Susan Buck | Our very own Kelly Craig as Keke Valasquez-Lord. — Christopher Reybrouck | Britney (circa 2001). — Jimi Konidis | Favorite Singers: Adele and Ed Sheeran. Favorite Actors: Melissa McCarthy and Robin Williams… may he rest in peace. — Lisandra Rivera | Tie
Sheila Marcheson.....................................8 years
between Michael and Prince. Music will never be the same.
Siobhan Fitzgerald-Matson.......................4 years
— Marlyn Moore | My favorite entertainers are Florence
Lindsey Soroka..........................................4 years
and the Machine. I love their music. — Jeffery Santiago | My
Christopher Miller.....................................3 years Laurie Abbatessa.......................................3 years
favorite entertainer is Kevin Hart. — Magali Maldonado | My
Christopher Reybrouck.............................3 years
favorite entertainer is, of course, Britney Spears, a talented
Brittani McKay...........................................2 years
train wreck I can never get enough of! — Andy Kiener | My favorite all-time entertainers are, of course, Michael Jackson (RIP) and Michael Jordan, but as of right now my favorite
Emily Oaks.................................................2 years Mindi Mietlicki..........................................2 years Veronica Velazquez................................... 1 year Gabrielle Mahapatra................................. 1 year Ian Eastman............................................... 1 year
entertainers are Drake and Odell Beckham Jr. from the New
David Haefner........................................... 1 year
York Giants. — Jasiel Guzman | Most of the time it’s Stevie
Danielle Shaw............................................ 1 year
Nicks. — John Carocci | Tom Waits: singer, actor, dancer. I’d watch Real Housewives of Tom Waits. — Jakob Willoughby
Maria Cruz................................................. 1 year Steven Sanders.......................................... 1 year Theo Herman............................................ 1 year Quentin Page............................................ 1 year
If I tried to imagine the Nutrition Program’s perfect success story, I couldn’t do much better than Kim’s real-life success story. Kim has transformed her health — and her life — with the help of Evergreen’s Nutrition Program and its staff. “Three years ago, I was in stroke mode,” she says. “My blood pressure was high, I was overweight, I had bad eating habits.” Kim was ready to make changes, but didn’t know where to begin. “Ashley, Giovanna, and Lindsey — I call them my sisters — showed me how to make these changes. Knowledge is what kept me motivated!” Kim cut junk food out of her diet, and reduced her sugar and salt intake drastically. She learned how to prepare healthy foods, and use seasonings to make them taste just as good as the junk food and sweets she gave up. “I used to eat chicken patties all the time,” Kim says. “Now I grill zucchini, and it tastes better than the patties. My food tastes good. I feel good. I just didn’t know.” Now Kim’s blood pressure is lower, she has lost weight, and she feels better in general. You’ve been hearing a lot about Harm Reduction lately, and Kim is making Harm Reduction work for her. “I might still have a chicken pattie for dinner,” she laughs. “But now it’s once a month instead of three times a week.” The Nutrition Program held a healthy barbecue recently, and Kim was there. “The food was delicious,” she says. Kim also enjoyed the opportunity to talk about healthier eating, sharing her experience and new-found knowledge with other clients. “I try to educate others the way I was educated,” Kim says. “Knowledge makes it so much easier!” Connections
Making Our Restrooms the Best Rooms! Connections apologizes for the cheesy headline, but you try and think of something that’s funny and printable!
This is an exciting time to be part of the Evergreen family, but as our staff breaks the three-hundred mark and we await completion of our new building, it’s not without challenges. One area of difficulty is restrooms. We’ve lost some staff bathrooms to an increased client base and ongoing renovations, and those limited staff facilities now service a larger number of people. Our crack custodial team has stepped up their efforts to present clean and fresh restrooms for staff and clients. With a bit of personal responsibility we can help them and show consideration for our fellow employees. Here are some ways you can help. Flush! We want to be environmentally minded, but please, flush all waste. Also, due to low-flow fixtures in some areas, double check that everything was taken care of in one go. Share! Restrooms are shared space. Hopefully you found
the area clean, and we ask you to leave the space as you found it. Water or wet towels on the floor can cause a slip hazard, and excessively wet counters can breed and transfer bacteria. Plenty! Extra folks mean more soap and paper products. Please be mindful and don’t waste. If you notice that you’ve used the last of a particular product, put in a facilities ticket so that someone else isn’t left out later. Courtesy! There may be a time when you find a restroom already in use. Unless it’s an emergency, return later rather than linger. Furthermore, try not to congregate and converse, especially on the phone. That’s business for another area, and it will help keep traffic moving. You can alert us to any issues via the ticketing system, but please try to do your part for all our staff. - Jakob Willoughby
Norma Bocanegra.....................................October 1 Matthew Pasquarella................................October 1 Andrea Binner............................................October 3 Cortney Anderson.....................................October 4 Nicholas Snead..........................................October 4 Lizzie Vazquez............................................October 5 Heather Maloney......................................October 6 Colleen Lewis.............................................October 8 Christina Mihalitsas...................................October 9 Courtney Rhines........................................October 11 Bianca Morris.............................................October 12 Stephani Miranda......................................October 14 Richard Baer..............................................October 15 Christopher Reybrouck.............................October 15 Dawn Trotter..............................................October 20 Cornelia Meredith.....................................October 21 Nicole Coonly.............................................October 21 Krista Fenske..............................................October 22 Richard Fleurant........................................October 24 Susan Buck.................................................October 26 Michael Deeb............................................October 27 Denise Scull................................................October 29 Jordan Valley..............................................October 31
Many of the people we serve are unfamiliar with, or even afraid of, the healthcare system
R
acial minorities face a disproportionate number of health issues when compared to their white counterparts. Black people, in particular, have shorter life expectancy, higher infant mortality rates, and a higher prevalence of chronic health conditions, like HIV and diabetes, than white people do. The causes of these disparities are complex and varied, but the results can be devastating on communities of color: lost earning potential, lower quality of life, and even premature death. Buffalo is fortunate to have Community Access Services (CAS), an Evergreen affiliate that fights health disparities in minority communities through comprehensive prevention and treatment services. CAS offers an array of programs designed to reduce health disparities and improve health outcomes for minority people. Services include HIV and Hepatitis C testing, STI prevention, and Harm Reduction counseling, as well as support groups, and linkage/navigation services. CAS also serves as a portal to wrap-around services, like medical care, mental health or substance use counseling, or care coordination through Evergreen. CAS is housed in the Commons, but staff members spend a lot of their time out in the community, meeting people where they are. “It’s easier that way,” says Christina Turner, Program
- Christina Turner, Program Manager
Manager at CAS. “Many of the people we serve are unfamiliar with, or even afraid of, the healthcare system. They don’t understand it. They’re not going to come to us, so we go to them; we walk them through the process, at their pace.” The first step is building a rapport with potential clients; but Turner notes this can take time. “It’s a fine line,” she says. “If you rush the process, you’ll see their wall go up.” The wait is worth it. A new marketing campaign features success stories from clients who have made long-lasting, positive changes in their lives through CAS. Each client’s story is unique, but they’ve all overcome incredible obstacles which were keeping them from a healthy life. CAS has also developed partnerships with a variety of other community organizations, like the Matt Urban Hope Center and the CRUCIAL Center. These alliances help CAS bring services directly to people who would otherwise be unable — or unwilling — to access them. CAS will also soon announce new partnerships with community-based providers that will allow CAS to bring HIV and STI testing to people who desperately need it. Turner sees more of these collaborations in the future, as CAS continues to expand its reach into areas where the greatest need is, and help make health disparities a thing of the past in Western New York. Connections
Connections Profile
Shawn Moultrie Shawn
Moultrie was born and raised right here in Buffalo. Their family lived on the East Side, and moved to Clarence Center when Shawn was entering 8th grade. Shawn graduated from Clarence High School, and moved back to Buffalo to attend Buffalo State College. After graduating from Buff State, Shawn worked at a Charlie the Butcher’s near the airport, where they enjoyed singing and entertaining customers. “Customers would sit close, just to listen to us sing,” Shawn recalls. “It was my favorite part of the job. I love entertaining people.” Shawn is very active in the LGBTQ and Draq King communities. After a drag king “brother” mentioned that the Pride Center was hiring, Shawn met Shevy, interviewed for an outreach position, and was hired. Shawn says their connections in the community help immensely. “A lot of people already knew me as gender non-conforming. It was easier for them to come in and talk to a familiar face than to talk to a stranger. This helps me connect with clients, even today. People feel comfortable with me because they see me out in the public often.” Shawn is now a Trans Wellness Specialist through
the Pride Center’s Transgender Health Initiative (THI). “I’m usually the first point of contact because my office is located on the first floor,” Shawn says. “I have a lot of walk-in clients, which is great, but sometimes if I get 4 walk-ins in a day, I have to pass a few of them off to either Shevy or Cameron.” THI staff members also get phone calls from other providers asking for help for their trans clients. Once a client is enrolled in the THI program, they have access to a variety of programs including linkage to care and support groups. “We’ve linked many of our clients to mental health professionals and doctors,” Shawn says. “So they can begin the H.R.T. process and become their true selves. We also help people with the name change process, the gender marker process, finding resources such as food or clothing, and so much more.” The work is rewarding, but Shawn admits it’s not without challenges. “I’m a very emotional person, so people’s stories and struggles affect me more than they should. Ever since I was little, I’ve dreamt of saving the world. Through my work at the Pride Center, I feel like I am saving the world in my own way.” Shawn has noticed a lot of changes, big and small, since starting with the Pride Center three years ago.
“We are definitely not the Center that we were when I first started here, and I’m amazed by how much we have grown as an entity and as individuals.” One of those changes is the growth of the Trans Wellness Conference, an annual event which brings the trans community together with speakers, information, resources, workshops, and more. “Our conference has gotten bigger and better every year,” notes Shawn. “This year, I’m excited to have Kayden Coleman, the once-pregnant trans man, come to speak at the conference. Many people forget that people born with female parts can still get pregnant while on testosterone. I have friends that were never told by their doctors that they could get pregnant. They found out firsthand by becoming pregnant themselves.” So what does the future hold for Shawn, the THI program, the Pride Center, and Evergreen? “I see THI growing, and paving the way for more initiatives like this to emerge, so that trans people all around the world can get the help and support that they deserve, and be able to live their lives as their true selves.” C The Trans Wellness Conference is 11/18-11/19
Editor’s Note: teleportation was by far the most popular choice. A Teleportation! Just imagine what the world would be like if you could teleport… — Jasiel Guzman A Technology that I would most like to have? A Tardis. (I’m sure that I can’t be the only one) The ability to travel through time sounds like an incredible adventure, and I hopefully wouldn’t have to experience too much turbulence. — Melissa Murray A Silver jumpsuits with an embroidered Evergreen logo for all staff! — John Carocci A In Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy they talk about a machine that can make ANY food you can think of. — Jeffery Santiago A The arm clock from the movie “In Time”. The arm clock is your life’s worth, the way you survive, who you socialize with. The more time you have on your arm clock, the more power you hold. Be careful not to get robbed! It has happened. — Lisandra Rivera A Teleportation. I love traveling but am not such a fan of the travel part. — Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich A Replicator (Star Trek: TNG, Voyager) — Jimi Konidis A I wish we could upload information directly into our brains. We could learn new languages, new skills, or access any body of knowledge. — Christopher Reybrouck A Teleporter! So I wouldn’t have to drive. — Susan Buck A No really, I’m serious about those jumpsuits. — John Carocci A I wish we had teleporting. Then I could savor those last few cozy moments in bed before work. — Lindsay Zasada A The transporters from Star Trek. Lunch breaks in Paris for everyone. — Jakob Willoughby
Connections O C T O B E R 2 0 16
Publisher + Layout
John Carocci
Copy Editor Martha Sawicki
Contributors Melissa Delgado Jakob Willoughby Steve Sanders Andrew DiRienzo Connections is the monthly newsletter for Evergreen employees (that’s you). Send story ideas, photos, or just a friendly hello to John Carocci.
Ileana Hernandez has been with Evergreen for ten years; the first nine as a Case Manager/Care Coordinator. Now she works out of the Evergreen Medical Group as a Medical Case Manager and Retention Specialist. v Born in Buffalo, Ileana lived and went to school in San Antonio, Texas. Prior to Evergreen, she worked at Baker Victory Services in Lackawanna, helping adolescents with behavioral issues. Ileana has three children of her own, a daughter and two sons, along with four grandsons. There’s also a granddaughter on the way! v As a Medical Case Manager, Ileana focuses on people who are either new to care, at risk of being lost to care, or not adherent to antiretroviral therapy. “Our goal is sustained viral load suppression,” she explains. “We help patients overcome barriers to care and treatment adherence. Treatment then becomes a way to improve quality of life, and, in a way, a prevention tool.” v Ileana’s work days are full. She conducts initial assessments, develops treatment and/or service plans, and conducts follow-up interviews with patients in the primary care setting. She arranges linkages to Care Coordination, medical care, and other on-site programs and services. She works in coordination with other providers, both within Evergreen and out in the community. v The fast pace doesn’t seem to bother Ileana. “I like to help others in need,” she says. “I like learning from patients, as well”.
International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) is a global event held in August of each year since 2001. IOAD aims to raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of a drug-related death. It provides a forum for people to mourn those lost to overdose, without shame or stigma, perhaps for the first time. It also stimulates discussion about overdose prevention and drug policy, and lets the public know about supportive services available in the community. Evergreen held events in Buffalo and Lakewood to mark IOAD. Kudos to SEP staff and the IOAD planning committee for producing two well-attended, very well-received events. Connections