Stap Newsletter Summer 2013

positive focus Summer 2013

www.stapinc.org

Serving Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga & Tompkins Counties

A LETTER FROM

the executive director

how beautiful and Fleeting life can be Of the many gifts I receive from our clients, the one I am most

I left that conversation appreciating both his courage and my own

appreciative of, is their ability to make me see how beautiful and

life more. Life is fleeting and beautiful. Don’t wait too long to tell

fleeting life can be. The reality of a chronic illness sharpens some

friends and family you love them, repair a broken relationship, be

people’s focus on enjoying the here and now.

patient & gentle with those closest to you, let go of your ego and ambitions, take that vacation, take up a new hobby, escape that

I was fortunate enough to experience this realization again last

job you hate (I wouldn’t know) or just dare to dream. Even small

week. I was having one of those days, you know the ones: the

dreams are dreams and are valuable.

phone was ringing, there were three people in my office, I had promised someone something by 10:30 and it was now 11:00. As

I also left the office that day to have lunch with my little girl at a

I ran to the copier, I saw one of our long time clients, a person I

local park, enjoying both the company and my surroundings.

consider a friend and forced myself to slow down for a moment.

He had received some bad news about his health and needed to

How strange and wonderful that the greatest teachers I have had

talk about it. He got a cup of coffee, I kicked everyone out of my

about what is truly important in life have been people that I was

office, put my phone on “do not disturb” and refocused on what

“helping,” but it’s true. Thank you to each one of you that have

is important—slowing down long enough to listen to the people we

touched and changed me for the better.

have the privilege to serve.

—John Barry, Exective Director The simple pleasure of being present for another person willing to share their story with you is what brought me into HIV/AIDS work and no matter how long I do it, that is what still sustains me. People have amazing lives and experiences and I can attest that their truth is often stranger than fiction. We both felt better after we talked.

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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

Jerry Halbert President Jamie Cornell Vice President Anthony Fiala, Jr. Treasurer Larry Bailey Secretary Joyce Allen Angelo Fiori Melissa Klinko Nancy McGowan Jason Pickart Christopher Waters Andrea Vaioli

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 Addie Deacon HR/Administrative Assistant Jeffrey Pryor Prison Reentry Coordinator Simone Cornelius Data Assistant

CLIENT SERVICES

PREVENTION SERVICES

Stacy Nickerson Client Services | Medical Advocacy Coordinator Eva Denson Assistant Director of Client Services Andrea Pinney Housing Coordinator Jennifer McKenzie Housing Specialist Alisa Reynolds 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 Jessica Thurston Case Manager, Broome Lisa Moore Case Manager, Broome Cassandra Aikman Case Manager, Tompkins Beth Pittman Case Manager Tech, Tompkins Eric Krohn Nutrition Specialist Kate Murray Nutrition Assistant

Cathy Sostre Assistant Director of Prevention Services Joe Barnett Assistant Director of Prevention Services Elisa Harris Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Terri Shields Substance Use Outreach Specialist Hanna Weiss Substance Use Outreach Specialist Melanie LeMay LGBT Program Coordinator Charity Corman LGBT Youth Specialist Kernalia Andrews Women’s Outreach Coordinator Glenda Oliver Women’s Services Educator Lillian Fan Harm Reduction Coordinator Thomas Womelsdorf Harm Reduction Specialist Katie Johnson Harm Reduction Specialist Emily England 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

2013 ROCK STAR CELEBRITY BARTENDING BASH AT REMLIK’S

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WORKING IT! PATTERSON’S PUNISHER’S OBSTACLES AT THE AIDS WALK/RUN 2013

The Development Department has been very busy. Since the last newsletter, we have successfully completed six fundraising events!

No wonder this newsletter is a little late!

ROCK STAR CELEBRITY BARTENDING BASH

2013 AIDS WALK/RUN

On March 24th, the annual Rock Star Celebrity Bartending

The 2013 AIDS Walk/Run was held on April 21st at the Greater

Bash took place at Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar. Our hostesses,

Binghamton Sports Complex. Participants chose their challenge

the fabulous, DeDe Kupps, Katrina, and Dusty Boxx, kept the

and either walked, ran, or those looking for a bigger challenge

crowd entertained while fifteen bartenders competed to earn

took part in Patterson’s Punisher. Some even participated in

bragging rights.

more than one event! The AIDS Walk/Run raised over $50,000!

Raising over $4,000, Michael Libous, once again, earned the title of Top Bartender. We rose over $17,00­—breaking a new record! www.stapinc.org

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BROADWAY BRUNCH

STARCRAZY

On May 4th, Tranquil Bar & Bistro & STAP came together

On June 14th, female impersonator, Lee Byar, performed his

again for a sassy, campy, fun-filled brunch fundraiser. VJ Alex

Swan Song, and for the last time, delighted the crowd with his

spun the tunes from some of our favorite Broadway musicals.

StarCrazy show in its entirety at the Lost Dog CafĂŠ. Lee has

Guest enjoyed a delicious brunch, mimosas and wonderful

worked tirelessly to help STAP and our fundraising efforts. We

live performances. Tranquil Bar & Bistro donated 100% of the

were delighted that he honored us by performing his last show

proceeds to STAP!

for our benefit. The audience loved his impersonations of Carol Channing, Judy Garland, Marlene Detrick and Elvis, to name a few. Thank you, Lee, for all of your support—we wish you the very best!

www.stapinc.org

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LILY: TOP DOG AT THE 2013 DOGGONE FUN ON THE RUN

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DOGGONE FUN ON THE RUN The eleventh annual Doggone Fun on the Run was held on July 13th at Otsiningo Park. Over one-hundred of our four-legged friends came out to support the PAWS (Pets Are Wonderful Support) Program. It was a beautiful day for the event and everyone enjoyed all of the festivities. We are delighted to report that the Doggone Fun on the Run raised over $16,000!

SUPER STAR BARTENDER BASH ON THE LAKE On June 9, 2013, the Southern Tier AIDS Program hosted its first annual Super Star Bartender Bash On the Lake in Ithaca. This event was such a huge hit that we can hardly wait to start planning for next year! On one of the most spectacular Sunday afternoons that Ithaca has to offer, several hundred supporters of STAP and the AIDS Ride for Life gathered at the fabulous Boatyard Grill on the Cayuga Lake Inlet for delicious food, great music and the chance to cheer on some of Ithaca’s brightest stars as they engaged in a friendly bartending competition. Our first place bartender raised $788 in tips! We were even treated to a surprise flash mob performance by the Ithaca Gay Men’s Chorus.

All proceeds benefited the supportive services and state of the art prevention education that STAP provides in our community. We raised a total of $8,900! Thank you to all of our celebrity bartenders, our gracious hosts, the Boatyard Grill, and everyone who made the Bartender Bash a fun, successful event. We look forward to making this an annual tradition. Please don’t miss it next year!

www.stapinc.org

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OUR NEW BOARD PRESIDENT,

JERRY HALBERT As of July 1st, Jerry Halbert was elected by the STAP Board

I have always felt very strongly about caring for the needs of

of Directors as our new board president. As the Senior Vice

people in our community who are marginalized for any number

President and Administrator of United Methodist Homes’ Hilltop

of reasons, and since I am a gay man, the LGTB and HIV/

Campus, Jerry comes to us as a highly experienced health care

AIDS communities are very important to me. As a father and

executive. He has an extensive background in finance and in

grandfather, I feel strongly that the work that STAP does will

leading diverse teams of professionals. He has successfully

have a positive effect on future generations, ultimately leading

developed and implemented cutting edge philosophies and

us to a world without AIDS.

methodologies to help organizations for which he has not only worked for but has also volunteered for.

With the advent of Health Homes, we now have the opportunity to reach an even broader community with our services. I look

Jerry has served in leadership positions on boards of directors

forward to helping shape the future of Southern Tier AIDS

for healthcare organizations, public libraries, and public

Program as the president of the board of directors.”

education in several communities where he has lived.

We asked Jerry to tell us, in his own words, what it means for him personally to serve as our new board president: “I began my involvement with STAP in the early 1990s after coming to Binghamton as the pastor of Boulevard United Methodist Church. We began an HIV/AIDS ministry at the church, and ended up ministering quietly to the LGBT community as well. That continued until I left the church in 1999 to assume my current role.

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County ABLE Re-entry Program has saved NYS taxpayers nearly $9.7 million. Through effective delivery of evidenced based programming, the ABLE Re-entry Program fosters change that leads to reducing recidivism while increasing public safety.

In November 2012, the Division of Criminal Justice Services recognized the Broome County Re-entry Program as having the “Best Business Model” program of the nineteen NYS County Re-entry Programs.

DID YOU KNOW? The Prevention Services Department has started a monthly newsletter! It can be located on the STAP website, Jeffrey Pryor, Prison Reentry Coordinator

under the Prevention Services tab. This newsletter is a forum for the prevention programs to give updates about their services, as well as introduce health topics. If

REENTRY PROGRAM

you are interested in receiving the monthly newsletter electronically, please contact Cathy Sostre, Asst. Director

Broome County received funding from the Division of Criminal

of Prevention Services, (csostre@stapinc.org) to sign up.

Justice Services (DCJS) to provide essential local re-entry services. Through a collaboration with the Southern Tier AIDS Program (STAP), Broome County launched the ABLE Re-entry Program. This effort has been a collaboration with

CLIENT PICNIC: JUNE 2013

the Department of Mental Health, Department of Corrections and Community Supervision, District Attorney’s Office, and more than two dozen other government, community service providers, and faith organizations. This effort has dramatically strengthened the ability of the local systems to successfully link formerly incarcerated individuals with services leading to improved outcomes and reduce recidivism rates in Broome County (recidivism means the return to incarceration).

The agency hosted a client picnic this June, open to clients and their family members. This picnic was a fabulous way for clients to come together with other clients, as well as agency staff members. Approximately 75 clients and family members from throughout the service region came together for an afternoon of good food, friends, and fun at Highland Park. Events like this one, and the Annual Thanksgiving Dinner, give clients a chance to reconnect with people they only see a couple

The ABLE Program assists nearly 50% of the 450 individuals

times a year, and build supports within their communities.

who return to Broome County from incarceration each year.

Catering was provided by Phil’s Chicken House and the agency

Devastatingly, two thirds of all individuals released from a

closed for the day, to ensure that all staff members could be

NYS prison will return within 36 months if no re-entry services

in attendance. One client said, “It was great to be able to see

are available. The ABLE Program proudly demonstrates an

people I know from other counties!” Several clients indicated

86% success rate. Costing approximately $50,000 per year

that they also appreciated the opportunity to meet staff

to incarcerate one individual in a NYS Prison, the Broome

from other departments, whom they rarely interact with.

www.stapinc.org

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upcoming events

AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE

of dollars, becoming High Gear Club members.

We have six pit stops around the lake, safety &

Fifteen years and going strong is not what anyone

gear vehicles constantly monitoring the route to

expected! In 1999, Jerry Dietz and Russ Traunstein,

make sure our riders remain safe, with volunteers

Co-Founders of the AIDS Ride For Life, envisioned

pointing the way, serving food and cheering our

organizing a bicycling event that could raise money

Heroes on. We parade through from the finish line

for HIV/AIDS prevention and support services to

at Cass Park through the City of Ithaca then have a

those affected in our local community. They

fabulous roast chicken dinner during an entertaining

never thought The Ride would evolve into what it

closing ceremony. We have the time of our lives.

has – Fifteen years later, over 3700 Rider Heroes, 1500 Volunteer Heroes, approximately 319,000

Riders and volunteers participate for many reasons,

miles ridden and over $2.5 million raised!

for STAP and our clients, to support the community in general and for the sheer love of the physical challenge. On

The AIDS Ride For Life is a 42, 85 or 100 mile ride

Saturday, September 7, riders from across the country will join

around Cayuga Lake beginning in Ithaca. Each

us as Ride Heroes to complete this 15th year. We invite you

rider raises funds to ride, many into the thousands

to join us as a Rider or Volunteer at www.aidsrideforlife.org!

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MISS RICHFIELD 1981 September 29th

HAIR WARZ—SAVE THE DATE!

Remlik’s, 31 Lewis Street Binghamton, 4 PM

Sunday, December 1st, DoubleTree by Hilton, 4 PM

Tickets: www.stapinc.org // 607-798-1706

SINGING WITH THE STARS

you are not going to want to miss this one!

Mark your calendars! Tri-Cities Opera and STAP are

Singing With The Stars will take place on March 8,

joining together to bring you a brand new fundraising

2014. Lot’s more details to come. For now, just be sure

event. Talk about putting the FUN in fundraising,

to mark your calendar as BOOKED on March 8th!

www.stapinc.org

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thanks

special thanks to our sponsoRs

who supported the events in this newsletter 104.5 FM THE DRIVE

LOURDES HOSPITAL

AMICI PUB & PIZZERIA

M&T BANK

ARNOT OGDEN MEDICAL CENTER

MCCUNE & MURPHY PT

THE BOATYARD GRILL

MEIER SUPPLY

BORGWARNER MORSE TEC

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

BSI PRODUCTIONS

PETCO FOUNDATION

C.S.P. MANAGEMENT

PETCO JOHNSON CITY, NY

COLLEGETOWN BAGELS

PRICE CHOPPER

CORNER STORE CATERING

RASA SPA

CORNING INCORPORATED

REMLIK'S GRILLE & OYSTER BAR

DICKIN MEMORIAL ANIMAL HOSPITAL

S.P.E.A.K.

DOGS ON THE RUN, LLC

THE HOUNDSTOOTH BAKERY & BOUTIQUE

EXCELLUS BCBS

THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH PROJECT

FOOD FOR FUEL - KAT HOY

THE PHARMACY

FRITO-LAY

TOMPKINS COUNTY TRUST COMPANY

GIMME! COFFEE

TRAINING FOR LIFE SYSTEMS

GRAINFUL

TRANQUIL BAR & BISTRO

GREATER BINGHAMTON SPORTS COMPLEX

UHS

IRON DESIGN, INC.

VISION'S FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

ITHACA BAKERY

WBNG TV 12

ITHACA CAYUGA OPTICAL

WEGMAN'S

ITHACA COFFEE

WEIS MARKETS

J&K PLUMBING & HEATING

WRIGHT FITNESS AND CYCLING, LLC

LOST DOG CAFÉ

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In the month of April, the Student Volunteer Center of Binghamton University adopted Robbie’s Pantry.

Thank you so much for your dedication to STAP!

Volunteer “Volunteers don’t get paid, not because they are worthless, but

interns working in our programs from colleges and universities,

because they are priceless”.

including Binghamton University, Broome Community College, Ithaca College, Cornell University, Tompkins County Community

I have seen this quote written many times in many venues. Every

College, Brockport State University, Keuka College, Maywood

time I see it I stop and reflect on how true it is. Our volunteers

University, and Elmira State College.

at STAP are priceless. They are the backbone of our events, and the heartbeat of the projects that get completed. Thank you so

If you are interested in helping with our programs, please

very much for doing all that you do to keep us going.

contact Candace Phelan, the volunteer coordinator, by calling 800.333.0892 ext. 225 or email her at cphelan@stapinc.org. We

It may be a little known fact that STAP has, on average, four

hope to see you at the 2013 AIDS Ride for Life! 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

Summer 2013

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

❑ Visa

Please charge my donation to my:

Mastercard

Discover

AMEX

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friends who care