Retirement Congratulations Pages 24-31....Staff Reflections: What Motivated You?

COMMUNITY ENERGY REFLECTIONS OF GRATITUDE ON

TWENTY YEARS OF SERVICE

MARYLIN JONES

BONNIE LEWIS

CELEBRATING THE RETIREMENT OF MARYLIN & BONNIE

Marylin Jones and Bonnie Lewis have been through it all at CCE Sullivan: Multiple executive directors and program leaders; hundreds of volunteers, youth, families, and caregivers; and dozens upon dozens of co-workers. They work every day with a steady, positive outlook, and commitment to making the lives of children, families, caregivers, and seniors in Sullivan County more manageable and meaningful. Marylin and Bonnie have provided consistency and perspective on the hardest, most unsure days. They’ve developed creative programs and ways to pay for it. And they brought compassionate caring and support to their coworkers and program participants. All of us at CCE Sullivan thank them for their service and wish them all the best in their exciting retirement journeys ahead.

“Just as ripples spread out when a single pebble is dropped into water, the actions of individuals can have far-reaching effects.” — Dalai Lama

STAFF REFLECTIONS

HOLDING A MIRROR TO 2021

MIRROR, MIRROR, ON THE WALL WHAT MOTIVATED YOU AT WORK, MOST OF ALL?

That was the question we asked the CCE Sullivan staff to reflect on. As they looked back at 2021, the following reflections came to light.

SUEANN BOYD

Healthy Schools Program Coordinator

“Working with the youth in our schools has always been a driving force for me. Teaching them how to cook, plant vegetables and live a healthy lifestyle through food and physical activity. It makes me smile when I see them applying the lessons I have share with them and they are thriving.”

BONNIE LEWIS

Dependent Care Educator

“When helping caregivers I get a warm fuzzy. I want to provide program support (and kindness) to help them when things are so difficult for so many.”

THOMAS BOSKET

SALT/DFC Program Manager

“What motivated me was our county’s youth. We visited hundreds of youth in nine schools, some multiple times...and learned about their needs. I frequently hear we have many needs in Sullivan County. I don’t deny that, but there are also many youth thriving; it’s good to know that they are ok!”

VANESSA PETROSSIAN

Director of State & Regional Ag Market Initiatives

“My motivation every day is my son, Jack. The hardest days become another opportunity to make a difference if even in the slightest way, when I see his beautiful face in the morning.”

VIVIAN MONSANTO Finance Coordinator

“Collaborating with others throughout several CCE organizations gave me a new perspective and appreciation.”

BEE MOSER

SNAP-Ed New York Nutritionist

“As soon as in-person teaching was possible, I was excited to be in the same space (indoors or outdoors) with my participants. It was so incredible to see everyone in real life and to feel their energy after teaching virtually for so long. The most exciting time was going back into the schools in the fall.”

MELINDA MEDDAUGH

Ag & Food Systems Issue Leader

“Working with farms to feed our community is what motivates me. Our team stepped up to the plate these last two years to help feed our neighbors, and not with just any food, food grown right here in Sullivan County.”

SEAN WELSH

Community Energy Advisor

ASHLEY TULLY

Ag Program Coordinator

“I stayed motivated in 2021, because of my community and colleagues, who poured so much support into me over this past year, and kept me inspired to give back.”

“Much of our CEEP outreach has been one-on-one work helping to improve people’s homes and comfort levels while saving them money. Given the last year, this work has been even more important to me personally.”

ERIN DENMAN

Operations Coordinator

“CCE has been a part of my life since my childhood days as a 4-H member. It was one of the major influences of my life growing up, and its mission continues to be a guiding principle in my life today. Thus,coming to work at Sullivan CCE felt a lot like returning to my roots, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

BRENDA MILLER

Environment & Natural Resources Program Manager

“Two things motivate me: First, my co-workers. Second, the people that call into the Helpline ask challenging and important questions, and they share their spirit of love and concern for all growing, living things with me.”

KENDRA PAYNE

Digital Marketing Manager

“Helping small business producers thrive through the pandemic motivated me. The producers in NYS create incredible products and I wanted to be part of getting those products into everyone’s hands.”

ABYSSINIA PLA EL Finance Coordinator

“I was motivated to learn and adapt in 2021. At CCE, there is always something to learn and small obstacles to conquer. I love acquiring knowledge and feeling the accomplishment that comes with it.”

WANDA CRUZ

Healthy Communities Coordinator

“Having a positive attitude, open mind, willingness to assist others, faith, and trust in CCE Sullivan leadership motivated me. Work is not really work when you enjoy what you do and the people you’re surrounded by, and love the communities you work for, which I do.”

KAITLYN CONKLIN

4-H Educator

“This community’s youth inspire me daily. Their selflessness, commitment to projects, support for one another, and enthusiasm for learning drives me to be the best for them. I am so honored to be even a small part of their journey.”

CHERENE AUDAIN

Ag Market Coordinator

“Mindset is everything. I am here to help - no one can stop me.”

BRIAN VANTASSELL Ag Market Coordinator

“I was motivated by being able to see some of New York that I haven’t seen before, like Syracuse and the New York State Fair.”

FABIO CAMPANATI

Sullivan Fresh & Shop Taste NY Coordinator

“Looking back on 2021, my biggest motivation was having a chance to be more involved with the Taste New York project. It has enabled me to use my educational skills from college. It’s nice to see changes and growth that I was a part of with my team members. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

BARBARA MORAN 4-H Program Manager

“What motivated me was the youth I interact with through 4-H and their resilience through all the changes going on around them.”

MARTIN COLAVITO

Community Cupboard Coordinator

“I don’t dwell too much on why I do what I do, I dwell a lot on my own personal code of ethics.”

MALINDA WARE Program Director

“I continue to be motivated by the 4-H “ACT for CHANGE” Teen Anti-Racism Innovation Project. The program chips away at this deeply entrenched problem at a grassroots level through facilitated conversation and action. The book, “Crisis Contemplation”, gives me hope and provides a framework to navigate these tumultuous times.”

PATRICIA AVERY

Caregiver Resource Center Coordinator

“As a family caregiver for aging parents for many years, and as a new CCE employee, my motivation was to learn from Bonnie Lewis, retiring Dependent Care Educator. My goal is to help others avoid pitfalls I often found myself in as a caregiver. I recognize the need for accurate information and tools for caregivers to prevent burnout.”

MICHELLE PROSCIA

Ag Educator

“It was another year of evolving opportunities and changes for farms. My motivation was empowering Sullivan County farmers to access information about different agricultural programs, especially due to the pandemic because as they say, ‘every penny counts’!”

JOHN MASTRANGELO

Assistant Ag Market Manager

“My biggest motivation on the job during 2021 was attending the NYS fair. It was a great opportunity to meet up with several producers that make the program a success.”

COLEEN MONAGHAN

Executive Director

“Supporting CCE Sullivan’s Extension professionals in doing what they do best, providing science backed education and outreach to Sullivan County’s farms, families, and kids!”

JOHN WILCOX Facilities Manager

“With all of the remodeling and updates done in the building, I want to keep the building looking nice for future use. Very few people have been able to see the things that were done since the work was finished at the start of the pandemic.”

NICOLE SLEVIN NIKOLADOS Administrator & Director of DEI

“I am driven by the efforts of my colleagues. It’s a daily inspiration to work with this team of professionals and all-around good humans; innovating programming, management, and operations; delivering food and serving up knowledge out in the community; out on the front lines, through this unrelenting pandemic. They motivate me to do my best every single day.”

JUDY ARPADI

Ag Market Coordinator

“My motivation was to provide positive and pleasant customer service during a difficult year. I had the opportunity to be a representative in the shop and it was and still is my goal to leave a positive impression of New York State, especially to those from afar.”

ERICA LYNCH

Catskills Kitchen Coordinator

“Providing assistance to local businesses during a time when many businesses were forced to shut down was my motivation in 2021.”

ELIZABETH CLANCY-DIBARTOLO Sullivan Fresh Program Coordinator

“I am blessed to be a part of an amazing team at Cornell and be given the opportunity to serve those facing difficult situations.”

TARA VANHORN Finance Coordinator

“My motivation is my daughter, Amelia. No matter what life throws at you, keep your head up, and just keep swimming! Challenge yourself, learn new things, be there when others need you, and grow!”