positive focus Fall 2012
www.stapinc.org
Serving Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga & Tompkins Counties
A LETTER FROM
the executive director
I WAS NOT ABLE TO RIDE IN THE AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE THIS YEAR Trying to defy both my age and any sort of common sense, I
time to make the event successful. Given that about 380 riders
strained something I needed to ride by pushing around
were on the road, that means there is at least one volunteer for
wheelbarrows of rocks and building rock walls. This put a
every two riders. No wonder I always feel so spoiled and catered
serious crimp in my training and sidelined me for this year.
to when riding. Without taking anything away from the staff
Aging is required. Becoming smarter, not so much.
and the Ride Committee who organize the AIDS Ride for Life, this level of community support assures that every rider feels
I am healing and will ride next year. The good news is that this
like a king of the road for at least one day.
afforded me the opportunity to work as a volunteer on this year’s ride. I am not going to lie to you, it was serious work and
I also had the chance throughout the day to speak with
I loved it. I drove bikes from Stewart Park to Seneca Falls,
volunteers about their experience. Every single one of them
chased down lost riders, helped keep the condiment table
told me what a great time they were having and that they would
clean at dinner and squeezed in a few Executive Director duties
be back next year. We believe in having fun here at STAP while
here and there. The amazing thing was as I viewed the ride
doing good work.
through this volunteer lens, I realized anew how many people volunteer to make the ride as great an experience as it is for
Please join us next September 7th for the ride. Whether as a
the riders and how hard they work. As I rode up and down the
rider or volunteer, we would love to see you there. And if you
lake I saw my fellow volunteers everywhere, at the pit stops, on
want to volunteer sooner feel free to call Candace. She will find
motorcycles, giving massages, directing riders on the route,
something fun for you to do, I promise.
performing (The Burns Sisters were awesome) and repairing flats.
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We truly could not do it without you.
I found out later when I shared my enhanced appreciation for our ride day volunteers with our incredible volunteer coordinator, Candace Phelan, that over 300 people gave their
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—John Barry, Exective Director
SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM
SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM
Hotline (800) 333-0892
122 Baldwin Street
Phone (607) 798-1706
Johnson City, New York 13790
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
ADMINISTRATION
Paul Rushanski President Jamie Cornell Vice President Michael Grasso Treasurer Ralph Klotzbaugh Secretary Jerry Halbert Member-at-Large Joyce Allen Larry Bailey Anthony Fiala, Jr. Angelo Fiori Kristen Harding Nancy McGowan Pamela Mischen Jason Pickart Chris Waters Melissa Klinko
John Barry Executive Director Michelle McElroy Director of Programs Mary Kaminsky Director of Development Julie Kerr Director of Finance Joseph Caminiti Director of Information Systems Jackie Centerwall Director of Operations Candace Phelan Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Rotella Events Coordinator Anne Baron Fiscal Assistant Ginny Miller Program Assistant Glenda Oliver Receptionist Katrina Roehrig Human Resources Administrator Jeffrey Pryor Prison Reentry Coordinator
CLIENT SERVICES
PREVENTION SERVICES
Stacy Nickerson Client Services | Medical Advocacy Coordinator Jean Wilson Assistant Director of Client Services Andrea Pinney Housing Coordinator Michael Leahey Housing Specialist Jennifer McKenzie Housing Specialist Autumn Cook Medical Advocate Kristina Hagen Client Services Data Specialist Gry Bente-Johansen Case Manager Chemung Elke Meyer Case Manager Chemung Michele Rosplock Case Manager Tech Chemung Alisa Reynolds Case Manager Broome Lisa Moore Case Manager Broome Elizabeth McDonald Case Manager Broome Cassandra Aikman Case Manager Tompkins Beth Pittman Case Manager Tech Timothy Giordani Case Manager Tech Eric Krohn Nutrition Educator
Cathy Sostre Assistant Director of Prevention Services Joe Barnett Assistant Director of Prevention Services Terri Shields Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Hanna Weiss Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Paige Walker LGBT Program Coordinator Jeff Dunlap LGBT Youth Educator Kernalia Andrews Women’s Outreach Coordinator Claudia Miller Women’s Services Educator Simone Cornelius Women’s Services Data Assistant Lillian Fan Harm Reduction Coordinator Thomas Womelsdorf Harm Reduction Specialist Katie Johnson Harm Reduction Specialist Jesse Natishak Harm Reduction Technician Laura Katz Harm Reduction Technician Bryan Cook Criminal Justice Prevention Specialist Stephen Gleason Mpowerment Specialist Noah Cooper Mpowerment Specialist Eric Kovatchitch Testing & Referral Specialist www.stapinc.org
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recent events
2012 AIDS ride for life
thankyou “NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD” —MARGARET MEAD
235,000 DOLLARS RAISED (AND COUNTING!)
800 WONDERFULLY AWESOME PARTICIPANTS We are now on the other side of the 2012 AIDS Ride For Life.
Thank you to our many Hero Sponsors who didn’t bat an eye
And thank you to the ARFL staff Heroes—Lindsey Hadlock,
It’s almost surreal. Yet the excitement is still in the air in the
when they wrote a check to help pay Ride expenses.
Ride Assistant and Ginny Miller, dedicated STAP Program
aftermath at the Ithaca office as we store gear, take inventory
Assistant and Pit Stop Coordinator for their absolute,
and count the thousands of dollars in donations that resulted
Thank you to our wonderful, cheerful hard working volunteers
unwavering focus and dedication to the mission of the
from the Ride. We cannot seem to stop talking about the nearly
who were located all around Cayuga Lake.
Ride.
Thank you to our Hero Founders, Jerry Dietz & Russ Traunstein,
It certainly takes a village.
400 registered Riders, the $235,000 and counting raised, the 300+ volunteers who marshaled, decorated, fed and cheered our Riders as they crossed the finished line at Cass Park. How do you begin to thank the nearly 800 people who participated in large and small and very great ways to make this year such a success? Thank you so very much to our wonderful, dedicated Hero Riders, who went the distance. YOU made this all happen.
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400 ASTOUNDINGLY BRAVE REGISTERED RIDERS
who had the foresight to see the need 14 years ago. Thank you to our fabulous ARFL dedicated committee Heroes— Adam Brumberg,
Patty Clark, Autumn Cook, Emily Cowen
and Randi Quackenbush for their unwavering enthusiasm and commitment.
— Cindy Rotella, Very Proud Ride Coordinator
300 PLUS AMAZINGLY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS
www.stapinc.org
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THE 10TH ANNUAL
doggone fun
ON THE
sponsors
run
After three years of rain, we decided to move the Doggone Fun
the NYS DEC, Outback Steakhouse, Frito-Lay and Starbucks.
Lastly, some advice from our furry friends:
on the Run to the Dog Days of Summer. This year’s event took
Both Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar and Amici’s Pub & Pizzeria
place on July 21st. It was a beautiful sunny day and hundreds of
provided treats for our canine friends. Thanks to the support of
Follow your instincts. Avoid biting when a growl will do. Enjoy
supporters came out to partake in the fun. We added some new
our community we raised a record-breaking $18,000!
the simple pleasures of a walk. Be loyal, faithful and quick to forgive. Sometimes it is best to just sit close and listen. Keep
features this year: a misting station to keep everyone cool and One hundred percent of the funds raised goes to support the
digging until you find what you want. Accept all of life’s treats
PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) Program at STAP. The PAWS
with gratitude. Life is short, pet often. Ran and play daily. And
Of course, back by popular demand, was Musical Mats, Doggie
program offers HIV+ people practical support in an effort to
love unconditionally.
DaVinci’s, Myrph’s Dog Training, Officer Pam Kilpatrick with
keep the love and companionship of their pets.
ice cream from Jones Humdinger.
PRESENTING SPONSOR | PETCO FOUNDATION
EXCELLUS BCBS UHS VISIONS AMICI’S PUB & PIZZERIA PRICE CHOPPER OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE STARBUCKS FRITO-LAY NYS DEC MYRPH’S DOG TRAINING THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH PROJECT REMLIK’S GRILLE & OYSTER BAR WBNG TV Q106.7 S.P.E.A.K. ANIMAL HOSPITAL (SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. MINDY) PASTOR JOYCE ALLEN JONES HUMDINGER
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www.stapinc.org
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Uptown Style & Spa
White Rose Day Spa & Hair Salon /
Prima Classa Salon / The Spa at Traditions /
Nick’s Hair Design / Patrick J. Cleary Designs /
Lori Ashley Salon / Ms. Judy’s Hair Plus /
Hair It Is / Hair Studio 307 / JLP Hair Designs /
Friends & Company / Hair & Beyond /
Colour: An Inspired Salon / David Scott Salon /
Acacia Aveda / At-l-ya Studio /
PARTICIPATING SALONS
www.stapinc.org / 607.798.1706
122 Baldwin Street, Johnson City NY
Also available from STAP
Available from Participating Salons
TICKETS / $15 EACH
225 Water Street, Binghamton NY
The Binghamton Riverwalk Hotel
Doors open at 2PM
SUNDAY / DECEMBER 2, 2012
2012 tea dance
Miss richfield 1981
On August 26th, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, located at 126½ Henry
Special thanks to Amici owner Dan DiRienzo with manager
Only with the generous sponsorship of Remlik’s Grille &
You never knew who she would pick out of the audience to
Street, held a benefit for the AIDS Ride for Life, Binghamton’s
Shane Rosenthal & staff, Michael Libous and Tony Fiala, who
Oyster Bar, STAP was able to bring Miss Richfield 1981 back to
interview or assist her, which left everyone squirming in
First, dare I say not last, Tea Dance.
worked tirelessly to create Binghamton’s biggest outdoor dance
Binghamton on September 23rd to perform her latest show,
their seats. She had the audience singing along to their own
party. There was a wide variety of dance music from today’s
“2012: We’ll All be Dead by Christmas.” Miss Richfield 1981
predicted demise and left us informed on what to wear and
Tea Dances began at the legendary waterfront landmark,
hits, to the solid gold songs from the 70’s and 80’s, a signature
(played by Russ King) created her show based on the apocalypse
how to prepare for The Rapture. Her show was followed by a
The Boatslip Resort in Provincetown, MA. Back in the 60s,
drink, photo booth and plenty of good friends.
predicted by the Mayan calendar, which states life will cease on
fabulous after-party at Remlik’s.
the Boatslip was owned by a British gentleman, named Peter
December 21st.
Ryder. He wanted to create a daily party and decided that
Good times, good friends, great food and breaking out the
We are delighted to tell you that Remlik’s has generously, once
since everyone else was open at night, and since there was
dance moves resulted in $2,200 to support the AIDS Ride for
The show began with the fabulous singer and celebrity illusionist,
again, offered to sponsor Miss Richfield 1981 so she will be back
really no competition in the afternoons, and he already had a
Life. Thank you, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, we truly appreciate your
Lee Byar. Lee delighted the crowd with his performance of Judy
in 2013. We can’t wait!
good following at the pool and beach bars, that he would start a
support!
Garland’s rendition of “Smile”. Then Miss Richfield 1981 began
dance party, at British tea time, and call it Tea Dance. The idea
her one hour show dressed as a cactus. The audience was in
caught on, and now tea dances are held nationwide, mainly in
stiches from beginning to end.
beach resort towns.
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www.stapinc.org
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giving
Holiday dinner
IVE
ga d akin m goo d in d in e e t s s e or u nter no n be i (new s d l , or e t u ar y z r i o o r pp ct M rp uw u a o o s t o y l n d If ncia e co n of fina leas atio , p ) n r , o s e d od ord y fo king lida o wor h ble isha : per y at insk m a K org inc. p a t s sky@ min a k m 229 xt. e 6 0 8-17 ) 79 7 0 (6
OG WT O H
A MESSAGE FROM
FIrst Congregational church
Hello to all of our friends, supporters, and community members!
meal is an opportunity for clients to bring their families and
We took on the challenge to raise money and supplies for the
welcome here. Worship services begin at 10 am. We also offer
As you may remember, it is nearly that time of year for the
come together as a large group. Many clients only see each
month of September from our church, First Congregational
a lot of other activities, such as every Monday from 6 to 8 pm,
annual Client Holiday Dinner. This event is held every Fall just
other at this annual event, and are able to reconnect with one
Church, corner of Front and Main streets in Binghamton, the
Heart Centered Living meets. Explore, Share & Experience
before Thanksgiving, and involves clients from our entire eight
another and share their stories from over the past year.
one where the bell is. Now we would like to challenge all of
different avenues of spiritual expression. Discover ways to heal
you to come check us out.
yourself, help the planet & expand our vision of community
county service region. In addition, many clients receive door prizes and food
together. www.heart-centered-living.org or stopping in for food
This event takes weeks of planning and preparation, as it is
baskets, which they can take home and use to remember this
We raised $275 for Robbie’s Pantry, along with supplies from
at our CHOW pantry. It is our goal to be a place the community
done by STAP staff members for STAP clients. As part of this
heartwarming event or prepare their own holiday dinners.
the congregation. We are a United Church of Christ church,
can call home.
endeavor, agency employees and volunteers donate items and
LGBT affirming, we have open doors, open minds, and no
their time to make and serve a “traditional” holiday meal. This
matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re
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Visit us online at www.uccbinghamton.org www.stapinc.org
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thanks
our VOLUNTEERs
remember ing kellie
“Volunteers don’t just do the work—they make it work.” —Carol
together packets of information and safety packets, answering
This past June, STAP lost one of our strongest supporters, Kellie
We told her about our PAWS program and ever since, PETCO
Pettit
our telephones, as well as help get the word out about what
Corcoran Barbour. We first met Kellie when PETCO came to
has been, by far, the program’s greatest asset. With Kellie’s
we do at STAP.
Johnson City. The PETCO store in Elmira had been a goodie-bag
initiative and the support of all the PETCO staff, PETCO went
No truer words have been spoken. We at Southern Tier AIDS
sponsor for the Doggone Fun on the Run and we were delighted
from being a goodie-bag sponsor to the presenting sponsor of
Progra, Inc. have proof of that statement. If you participated
Thank you all so much for making our work lighter and getting
to hear they were coming to Johnson City. As soon as they were
the Doggone Fun on the Run. Kellie taught us our two favorite
in our recent AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE, you would have witnessed
the job done.
open, we made our way over to the store and met the manager,
lines— “Manager’s Choice” and “Come to the back room!”
a wonderful, well organized and seamless day. It was due to
Kellie Corcoran.
the magnificent people who volunteered at the committee
Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. is happy to announce that
We remember the day Kellie called and asked us to stop in,
meetings, the days leading up to the event, the day of the
we received a $750 grant for Robbie’s Pantry from the Ithaca
stating that she had some items that were Manager’s Choice.
event, at the pit stops, at the parks, cheering, giving massages,
Rotary Club. With this money, we will be able to help those
When we went over we saw the most adorable costumes you
checking on the wonderful riders, etc.
living with HIV/AIDS receive toiletries that they might otherwise
had ever seen—fabulously detailed but they sold for about
go without. Thank you, Ithaca Rotary!
twenty to thirty dollars each. We gave her a look that said
On the Day of Caring, the United Way sent terrific volunteers
“cute,” but we can’t afford these and she said, “Never mind,
that painted the interior of our Johnson City office. Every day,
they are Manager’s Choice.” We filled two carts full! Our
wonderful people make our days easier in our offices by putting
hearts pounded a bit when the register tape began to roll onto the floor. Then the grand total was just $19.10! Due to this donation, the raffle table raised enough money to keep
ER our NT E ith U w L p l VO tact , he TO con teer n e W u s l o lea HO at: to v t, p , n like ator eve rdin an ould o t w o a C ou elp teer If y or h olun , V y , r t n pan hela ce P a d Can g c.or apin t s @ elan cph 225 xt. e 6 0 8-17 ) 79 7 0 6 (
two clients on the PAWS program for an entire year—a number that has increased each year thanks to PETCO. Another time she called stating she had some items for us. “Come to the back room.” It was like Christmas! Dog food, cat food, toys, all sorts of items for our clients to have for their pets and all for free. PETCO and the PETCO Foundation have been instrumental in expanding our PAWS program. Kellie was a huge supporter of STAP and she became a very dear friend to us all. We were heartbroken to hear of her passing. She was a true animal lover and her generosity made a wonderful difference in the lives of our clients and their pets. She will remain in our hearts forever.
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www.stapinc.org
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Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. 122 Baldwin Street Johnson City, NY 13790
NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE
PAID Albany, NY PERMIT # 164 ZIP CODE 12205
Fall 2012
STAP
is serving more men, women, and children than ever in our nearly 30 years of providing services. Say “I care” by sending your gift today. Your generosity makes a difference! Yes! I can help the Southern Tier AIDS Program continue to provide services for people living with HIV/AIDS and provide prevention services to help reduce the rate of HIV infection in the Southern Tier. Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of:
❑ $25
❑ $50
❑ $100
❑ $250
❑ Other: $_________
Checks should be made payable to:
STAP, 122 Baldwin St., Johnson City, NY 13790 Please charge my donation to my:
❑ Visa
❑ Mastercard
Name:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
CC#: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Address:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Exp. Date: _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
______________________ __________________
Signature:_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
friends who care