by Ja k o b W illoughby
There are likely only a handful of you that haven’t moved at least once over the past few months. Now, with (mostly) everyone settled into their permanent home, some challenges remain for the Facilities team in answering your ticket requests. There have been hiccups in the system where folks are tagged in previous locations, or where outside movers have moved staff and we can’t keep track of where you are now! When submitting a ticket request, it’s helpful to provide as much detail as possible. If you’re in the Annex, including your office/cube number in the ticket will help us get to you that much quicker. For those of you in the Roanoke, it has been a challenge adjusting to new floor numbers. A quick double check that you have the correct floor will be a great help. In the location description, specify if the issue is in the Annex or the Roanoke. This will be a timesaver, which is especially important for urgent safety issues. Recently, a ticket for a loose needle listed the
location as the “4th floor bathroom”. After checking restrooms on both sides of the 4th floor and finding nothing, we had to inspect all of the public restrooms in the entire building before the needle was found. Be as specific as possible, and if the problem isn’t in your normal working area, provide those details as well. It’s exciting to see programs expanding, and staff being able to spread out. With anything new, there are bound to be bugs in the system to be worked out. For those in the Annex, there may be issues that will need to be addressed by the construction team. We’re doing our best to coordinate efforts between our two teams to handle these situations as they arise. This does, however, make addressing your needs in a timely fashion a bit more of a challenge. The more information we have in those requests, the easier we can tackle these issues with alacrity. As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please let us know. Connections
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any agency employees were part of the Evergreen family long before their first day of work. Some were volunteers at our special events, or interns working with and learning from staff. Others, like Kevin Kaiser, came to Evergreen as clients. Kevin is a new Substance Use Initiative (SUI) Peer Worker, providing outreach targeted towards folks in active use. He builds rapport and connects them with an SUI harm reduction counselor, who then links them to treatment and/or medical services when they’re ready. Kevin does this with knowledge, understanding, and compassion, because he has walked in their shoes. Kevin had heard about The Exchange from friends, but it took a while for him to feel comfortable coming in the door. “I was too nervous to come in,” he says. “The way it was described to me, it was too good to be true. I used to pull up, and send one of my friends inside. It’s kind of funny. Now my job is to help others who might be uncomfortable like I was to come in here. Hopefully I can bridge the gap.” Addiction had taken a huge toll on Kevin’s life. “I came from a rough place before this,” he says. “I’ve done jail, I’ve done rehab, I’ve been homeless, I’ve been at the City Mission, I’ve done it all.” At one point Kevin was living outside, waking up in the woods, and
coming into the city to do heroin all day. “There was a night where everything fell apart,” he recalls. “I was wrapped up in a tarp, and it was pouring rain, and I was sick. I said ‘I cannot do this anymore.’” The Exchange was there for Kevin. “I was talking to Shannon one night when The Exchange was open late,” he recalls. “We talked for, like, two hours straight. Shannon has a lot of empathy for people. She helped me get on the right path, and see what I wanted. After that conversation, I started wanting to do the right thing.” This was a big decision, but not the end of Kevin’s struggle. “Choosing to get clean is easy,” he says. “But actually getting clean is rough.” Kevin entered a rehab program at Conifer Park in Albany. “I enjoyed it,” he says. “My attitude going in was positive. I wanted to be there. And now, it’s nice that when people have questions about rehab, I’m able to talk about my experience there.” After leaving rehab, Kevin continued coming to The Exchange, out of routine, for social support, and for a cup of coffee. “My habit for the day would be wake up, go to the (methadone) clinic, and come here to get some coffee and talk to people. I learned that isolating yourself is one of the most negative things. When you get in your own head you can really talk
yourself into some stuff.” Kevin became a daily fixture at The Exchange. He struck up conversations with staff and clients on any and every topic. “I think, I mean, Liz’s office is right there, and I think she picked up on the fact that I might have a lot to offer,” Kevin says. “I was focused on my recovery. I wasn’t in the job market per se, but a boss like Liz and a company like Evergreen, they understand what recovery is.” Kevin says his position has the flexibility to allow him to put his recovery first, something that many other jobs, even part time jobs, do not offer. “I feel like it’s a good fit,” he says. During his work day, Kevin is an ambassador for all things Evergreen, especially The Exchange and other Harm Reduction programs. He is on the front line, sharing information and making personal connections with people who might otherwise not feel comfortable coming through our doors. “Sometimes that means physically coming with them,” he says. “Sometimes it’s just nice to have someone walk you in and show you around.” Kevin says that now that he’s a Peer Worker, those casual conversations have become more important. “I don’t try to force anything,” he says. “I like it to be organic. But now I definitely go out of my way to be ‘hey, I work for Evergreen and here is
what we offer...”. Kevin says that with few exceptions, people are receptive to his message, especially active users, even if they’re not quite ready to make changes. “It just depends on where they are in their life. That’s ok. I focus on getting them to The Exchange for now.” Kevin says he’s excited to be joining Evergreen at a time when the agency, and the Harm Reduction program in particular, are growing. “Our move to the third floor is really exciting,” he says. “I think we’re really taking it to the next level.” These aren’t empty words for Kevin. “Evergreen saved my life,” he says. “So many of the staff have gone above and beyond for me. Shannon, Cecil, Trish, Liz, and Emma. I know they were rooting for me. Shannon helped me set goals, and I think I’ve hit every one of them. Now everything is where I wanted it to be. And I still come in for the coffee every day!” What does the future hold for Kevin? “I was given a second chance,” he says. “Unfortunately, not everyone gets that second chance. I’ve recently had four or five people I know overdose, people in their 20s with their whole lives ahead of them. We can’t help everyone, and not everyone wants help, but I want to help as many people as I can. Maybe they can learn from me, and not make the mistakes I made.” Connections
Big Garbage Day. — Jimi Konidis z Some decent weather again. — Cecil Sutton z My favorite thing about spring is that we’re one season away from summer! — Keisha Leavy z The sound of birds and insects in the air again. — Sal Sciandra z I love the first warm day of spring when you can finally walk around without a jacket and restaurants open up their patio seating. I feel like Buffalo comes alive again! — Rachel Voelkle-Kuhlmann z When the flowers start blooming out. — Magali Maldonado z My favorite part of spring is the array of colors from flowers blooming and the sound of birds chirping again. — Melissa Murray z My favorite part of spring is when the spring flowers start poking through the ground, and actually start blooming. Love those Daffodils!! Their bright yellow color brings a smile to my face. — Trish Hopkins
Growing out of a small-town school event in California, Women’s History Month is a celebration of women’s contributions to history, culture and society. The United States has observed it annually throughout the month of March since 1987. The 2017 theme, “Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business,” honors women who have successfully challenged the role of women in both business and the paid labor force. Honorees include Rebecca Anderson (Community and Economic Development Organizer), Barbara Hackman Franklin (Former Secretary of Commerce), Alexis Herman (Former Secretary of Labor), Lilly Ledbetter (Equal Pay Activist), Kate Mullany (All-Female Labor Union Organizer), Lucy Gonzalez Parsons (Labor Organizer), Barbara Rhodes (Union Leader), Andra Rush (CEO), Nina Vaca (CEO), Maggie Lena Walker (Banker), Yvonne Walker (Union Leader), Addie Wyatt (Civil Rights Activist), and Norma Yeager (Stockbroker). - Christine Marrano
HEALTHe LINK by Christina Mihalitsas
HEALTHeLINK, the Western New York Clinical Information Exchange, is a nonprofit organization which has developed a system for health care providers and consumers to electronically share important medical and clinical information privately, securely, and efficiently. The system uses encryption, password protection, the ability to track every viewer, and other safeguards to protect the exchange of consumer health care information. For your security, and the security of our patients and clients, HEALTHeLINK and Evergreen staff complete audits of system use. Some of these audits include: • • • •
• • • • • •
Same Name Access Audit: tracks instances of users accessing records of a person with the same last name. Patient Data Access: a report listing all users who have accessed a specific patient during a given time frame. Access by a Specific User: a report of all accesses made by a specific user during a given time frame. Users: reports can be run for a variety of parameters, including by role or by user in a specific specific practice. Please Remember Only access information necessary for you to perform your job duties. Do not access your own records or those of anyone else (relatives, coworkers, celebrities, etc.) unless it’s directly related to provision of care. The consent status in HEALTHeLINK must only be changed with a valid, signed consent form from the patient. Don’t share your username, password, or authentication information. Remember to log out of HEALTHeCOMMUNITY after each use so that others cannot access information through your account. HEALTHeLINK should not be used as a pre-screening tool to determine if you will accept a patient into your practice. This does not satisfy the definition of treatment (see below).
Treatment means the provision, coordination, or management of healthcare and related services among health care providers or by a single healthcare provider, and may include providers sharing information with a third party. Consultation between providers regarding a patient, and the referral of a patient from one provider to another, is also included with the definition of “treatment”.
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hirley Bruno took a long and winding road from growing up in Clarence to working at Evergreen. “In 1990, I moved to the midwest with my boyfriend John,” she recalls. “We moved to Canada in 1997, and then back to Western New York in 2000.” During that time, Shirley worked a variety of jobs. “I worked 2 – 3 jobs all through college,” she says. “I worked in retail, I was an executive assistant, and I also worked in a real estate office.” Now, 7 addresses, 3 kids, and a dog later, Shirley and John are celebrating their 25th wedding anniversary, and Shirley is the Building Manager at the Evergreen Lofts. “I sort of fell into property management,” She says. “A fellow soccer mom told me about a receptionist position at her apartment complex. I was hooked. I started out part time and it evolved into a career I love.” Shirley moved up the ladder, learning all aspects of the business. In 2016, she applied for a position with Evergreen. “Tasheri (Artis) called me, and we clicked immediately.” Tasheri suggested that Shirley look at the Building Manager position that was open, but Shirley had doubts. “I wasn’t exactly jumping up and down. It seemed like a step back for me. I was managing over 300 units. Tasheri convinced me to at least meet, and check Evergreen out. I agreed, but almost cancelled the day before. I didn’t want to waste people’s time. But the meeting went great, and the rest is history. I’ve officially hit 6 months!” Shirley oversees the day to day operations at the Evergreen Lofts. “I think everyone knows about the Lofts,” she says. “There are 56 beautiful units. My work has changed since I started. We had a lot of units to fill
I absolutely love my job. I’m not just saying that. then, and now it’s maintaining those 56 units plus the people who live in them. Property management is a 24/7/365 job. You have to constantly be thinking of worst case scenarios to ensure your tenants are taken care of and the property is protected. I’m basically mom and dad for all these people.” Don’t mistake that for complaining. “I absolutely love my job,” Shirley says. “I love working for Evergreen, and I’m proud to be part of the Evergreen Team. I’m not just saying that. The environment is so refreshing compared to corporations. I’ve always been a people person, so what better place to work? And, everyone deserves a safe, clean, and pleasant environment to live in. The Lofts provides all of that.” Shirley sees the effect safe, clean, and pleasant housing has on clients every day. “There is not a person at the Lofts that doesn’t appreciate what Evergreen has done,” she says. “We’re providing stable, safe housing, and for many people, it could be the first time they have had either.” In fact, when asked what she’d like to see in the future, her answer was simple. “MORE! There are more than 200 people currently waiting for quality affordable housing.” Shirley loves her job, but she’s also willing to share. “If anyone wants to come walk in my shoes for a bit, please let me know,” she says. “I’d be happy to show you “a day at the Lofts!” In addition to the Lofts family, Shirley has three children of her own. Nick, 24, graduated from Niagara University with an accounting degree. Amanda, 22, graduates in May with a degree in fashion. Jenna, 20, is a barista at Starbucks and attending ASU for counter-terrorism. Connections
NNHAD, March 20, is an opportunity for Native people to learn about HIV, encourage HIV counseling and testing in Native communities, and help decrease the stigma associated with HIV and AIDS. It is also a time to recognize the impact of HIV and AIDS on American Indians, Alaska Natives, and Native Hawaiians (collectively referred to as Native people). This national event, now in its 10th year, is observed on the spring equinox each year. This year’s theme is Hear Indigenous Voices. Of the estimated 44,073 new HIV diagnoses in the United States in 2014, one percent (222) were among Native people. Of those, 77% were men, and 22% were women. Of the HIV diagnoses among Native men in 2014, 84% were among gay and bisexual men. From 2005 to 2014, the number of new HIV diagnoses increased 19% among Native people overall and 63% among Native gay and bisexual men. Poverty and high STD transmission rates are particular factors, along with the stigma associated with gay relationships and HIV, barriers to mental health care, and high rates of alcohol and drug abuse. Native communities are working to overcome these barriers by increasing HIV and AIDS awareness, encouraging HIV testing, and promoting entry into medical care. CDC is working with communities to share stories, build awareness, and reduce the toll HIV takes on Native communities. What can you do? Encourage those in the Native community to get tested. Talk about HIV prevention with family, friends, and colleagues and on social media. When posting on Facebook, Twitter, or other social media, please use hashtag #NNHAAD. Connections
Business First has named Evergreen as a Best Place to Work in Western New York! In fact, we placed second overall in our category (large employers). Our awesome elephant trophy made the rounds, posing with happy Evergreen staff. More photos are posted on the intranet.
March 10th was National HIV and AIDS Awareness Day for Women and Girls. Since the start of the epidemic, in many regions, women have remained at a much higher risk of infection than men. Young women, and adolescent girls in particular, account for a disproportionate number of new HIV infections. In the United States, women accounted for roughly one in five new HIV diagnoses in 2014. Of these, 87% were attributed to heterosexual sex and 13% to injection drug use. The proportion of AIDS diagnoses reported among women has more than tripled since the early days of the epidemic, from 7% in 1985 to 25% in 2014. Approximately one in four people living with HIV are women. 61% of the total estimated number of women in the U.S. living with diagnosed HIV in 2015 were African American. African Americans and Hispanics represent 30% of all women in the U.S. but they account for approximately 80% of HIV cases among women. In 2014, three and a half times as many black women were diagnosed with HIV as white women. Globally, in 2015 there were an estimated 17.8 million women aged 15 and older living with HIV, constituting 51% of all adults living with HIV. HIV/AIDS is the leading cause of death among women of reproductive age. In 2015, black women were approximately 16 times more likely to receive a diagnosis of HIV infection than were white women. Why are women particularly at risk of HIV? Factors include gender inequality, intimate partner violence, lack of access to healthcare services, lack of access to education, lack of recognition under the law and legal restrictions, lack of prevention programs for women, lack of school based interventions, and more. Connections
March Birthdays Kasha Lebron.............................. 3/5 Jacquelyn Dixon......................... 3/6 Jeffrey Santiago......................... 3/6 Kevin Kaiser................................. 3/7 Harold Colburn............................ 3/10 Gabrielle Mahapatra.................. 3/10 Veronica Velazquez.................... 3/11 Siobhan Fitzgerald-Matson...... 3/11 Theresa Shankland.................... 3/12 Rashida Williams........................ 3/13 Erin Pepicello............................... 3/13 Rachel Voelkle-Kuhlmann........ 3/14 Nichole Frank.............................. 3/15 Cristina Salcedo.......................... 3/16 Elizabeth Pijanowski.................. 3/17 Trish Hopkins.............................. 3/17 Joseph Ryan................................ 3/17 Susan Vanderwerf...................... 3/17 Mindi Mietlicki............................. 3/18 Theresa Woehrel......................... 3/20 Kaitlyn Gately.............................. 3/20 Kate Gallivan................................ 2/22 Brittany Price............................... 3/26 Byron McKinney.......................... 3/26 Johanna Aponte......................... 3/26 Joshua McClain.......................... 3/27 Cord Stone................................... 3/28 Kimberly Brown........................... 3/31
March Anniversaries Angela Palmer......................16 years Kelly Craig..............................7 years Tayrin Tapia...........................6 years Justin Azzarella....................5 years James DeGarmo..................4 years James Weaver......................3 years Matthew Sydor.....................3 years Lydia Kendrick......................2 years Kathryn Kraft.........................2 years Kasha Lebron........................2 years Dana McHale........................1 year Indoallana Quinones...........1 year Renee VanAernam...............1 year Andrew Youngman..............1 year Abby Depczynski.................1 year Steven Jagord......................1 year
April Birthdays Lauren Siegler............................. 4/1 Rosemary Roche........................ 4/3 William Sandora-Nastyn........... 4/3 Frances Frank............................. 4/4 Laurie Matson............................. 4/7 Dale Kingston.............................. 4/7 Julie Rapp.................................... 4/9 Roy Golia...................................... 4/10 Melissa Mayhew......................... 4/11 Kelly Craig.................................... 4/11 Nicole Dommer........................... 4/13 Renee Hartson............................ 4/13 Maria Lotempio........................... 4/17 John Argo..................................... 4/17 Giovanna Gasbarre.................... 4/19 Melissa Talbett............................ 4/19 Kristen Rickey.............................. 4/19 Andrew Dirienzo.......................... 4/19 Elise Robinson............................. 4/19 Niseishka Arroyo......................... 4/20 Andrea Ace................................... 4/21 Cameron Schraufstetter........... 4/21 Kimberly Harding........................ 4/23 Marielena Comacho................... 4/25 Elijah Jimerson........................... 4/25 Max Crinnin.................................. 4/29 Jamie Keuck................................ 4/29 Cherrelle King.............................. 4/30
Did you know that AIDS Walk Buffalo is one Evergreen’s largest fundraisers? Last year, we raised a record-breaking $121,000, and we want this year to be the best year yet. Here are three easy ways to get involved: 1. Sign up for Team Evergreen! We’d love to have you join us as we rise to become the top fundraising team again this year and reach our $10,000 fundraising goal. 2. Buy a ticket ($5 each or five tickets for $20) for the exclusive Pampered Employee Raffle! One lucky winner will receive:
A A desktop makeover complete with flowers, artwork and more
A Starbucks delivered to your desk every day for a week
A AIDS Walk swag including a giant golf umbrella and puffy vest
A A prime parking spot in the Watkins lot for a week
A Evergreen swag courtesy of our Human Resources department
A Two tickets to the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra
A $50 gift card to Black Sheep Restaurant
Tickets can be purchased from the Marketing and Events Department on the 4th floor, or from Team Evergreen building representatives. The winner will be chosen on Friday, April 14 at the Team Evergreen Happy Hour at Chocolate Bar (5-7 p.m.). Good luck! 3. Spread the word! Share AIDS Walk Buffalo on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram and follow for contests, incentives, photos and the latest scoop on all things AIDS Walk.
Team Evergreen Representatives Evergreen Center Linda Colburn Commons Julie Vaughn Matthews Building Cherrelle King Johanna Aponte Pride Center Bennett Shepilov Southern Tier Richard Baer
April Anniversaries Toni Hernandez....................21 Years Matthew Pasquarella..........14 Years Michael Hamann..................10 Years Jacquelyn Dixon...................5 Years Bennett Shepilov..................5 Years Katherine Kawa....................4 Years Mike Lee.................................4 Years Kimberly Brown....................4 Years Julie Falk................................3 Years Ian Schunk.............................3 Years Andre Stokes.........................2 Years Michael Blasdell...................1 Year Charles Hunt.........................1 Year Tamara Strong.....................1 Year Emma Hamilton...................1 Year
It’s All in a Name
By Tom Fronczak LCSW-R
PRONOUN, INTENTION AND QUALITY OF CONNECTION
A
s part of our continuing series of articles focusing on
a client. Many of our clients have experienced marginalization
issues of diversity and inclusion, this month we look
by a society lacking awareness and understanding. When we
at names and labels. I’ve reached out to a few of our
can convey our desire to see, hear and truly understand our
colleagues to add their experienced voices and thoughts. Here
clients fully, we begin to develop that sense of trust.
is a summary:
What can we do and what is the best way to do it? I
reached out to Cameron Schraufstetter of the Pride Center •
Names and pronouns matter
who shared the following regarding communicating with the
•
It begins with engaging in dialogue with another, be it
person who identifies as transgender:
client or colleague, to find effective, respectful ways to
“The main thing I tell myself and other trans people is that
connect around our unique differences
nobody is perfect. You don’t just wake up one day and say
•
It’s a conversation we don’t receive training in growing up
‘hey, I’m trans and now everything is automatically going to
•
It can feel awkward at first. Acknowledge this to yourself
be different.’ It took time for me to figure out who I was, and to
and seek guidance in initiating the conversation from
fully adjust to answering to my new name and pronouns. It will
supervisor or colleague
take time for other people to learn and make that change, as
•
We will all make mistakes
well. Sometimes it helps to correct a person if the wrong name
•
Own your mistakes, name them, apologize, learn and
or pronouns are used frequently. Gentle reminders here and
grow from them
there really help, and you’ll notice that those reminders will be
In doing so we allow our own sense of humanity and give
needed less and less as time goes on. The most important
others space for theirs.
thing is to realize that other people are trying, and they aren’t
It’s about a felt sense of relational connectedness
messing up just to hurt you. For those people that completely
• •
disregard your identity and refuse to use your new name, To deliver the best care in a respectful way to our clients, we
that’s a whole other can of worms”.
need to be able to connect with them. This begins with an
introduction, sharing of names, identifying roles, obtaining
too hard on yourself. Everyone makes mistakes, and as long
For their allies and providers: “It’s important to not be
necessary information and developing a sense of trust with
as you show that you’re trying, you don’t need to worry. I’ve
had friends and family members slip up sometimes, and
connect with your client or colleague. I asked Shaquita Wilson
they apologize and move on. I think that it’s more of a hassle
her thoughts on handling this, and she shared that “one of my
when someone spends too much time focusing on the slip-
pet peeves when someone mispronounces my name is that
up and over-apologizing. My mother, and some of my friends
they don’t ask how to pronounce it. They just say it wrong and
used to beat themselves up if they slipped up just once, and it
move on. I’m used to it, so I go with the flow, as I sometimes
was difficult and awkward for us both. I think it’s best to just
feel rude correcting them. However, I feel it is important to first
acknowledge it and move on. The less attention brought to it,
ask someone “How do you pronounce your name?” or “Is there
the less uncomfortable it is for everyone involved”.
a nickname or different name you prefer to go by?” I think this
Shevy Fitzgerald-Matson of Pride reminds us: “You will
shows the client you care and want to provide sincere service.
mess up gender expansive peoples’ pronouns, but the bigger
Our names are a part of who we are, and for some people a
mistake is not acknowledging a slip-up. Apologize once, say
very important part of them, especially culturally wise”.
you’re sorry, and move on. Don’t apologize over and over. If
they use a pronoun you’re not used to, ask them to use it in
safe space, providing an opportunity for people to share and
a sentence so you can become more confident. If you keep
fully express their experience. In doing so we say “there is a
using someone’s pronouns incorrectly, keep practicing! Don’t
place for you, we see you and we care”. One of the conversations
take the easy way out by calling them by name… challenge
I often hear and appreciate being a part of is about the “Culture
yourself to grow past the confines of traditional language!”
of Evergreen”. Whether it’s with the current staff or staff who
“Before you ask a gender expansive person a question,
have left and then returned to Evergreen, there is a shared
ask yourself these questions: What’s the motive behind my
knowledge that we are part of an organizational culture which
question? Do I need to know this information to do my job, or is
recognizes and welcomes our unique diversity. There is a
it just to satisfy my personal curiosity? Would I be comfortable
feeling of acceptance, inclusion and kindness to each other.
if someone asked me this question? Am I asking someone to
Our diversity and unique experiences are such a key aspect of
educate me about other peoples’ identities? It is not the job of
our identities. When we can bring our entire selves to the work
gender expansive folks to educate you about the world of trans
we do, inclusive of the conversations we have, we tend to feel
and gender non-conforming issues. Lastly, be transparent: If
included, welcomed, happier and thus are more likely to open
you’re a medical or mental health provider, explain why you
to our full creativity and talents, which brings such benefit to
have to ask personal and/or invasive questions so the client
not just us, but our clients and organization.
knows the reasons/motives behind the questions.”
to reach out to the Diversity and Inclusion team and your
What if the name of an individual is new and unique to
you? Bring a sense of relational curiosity with the desire to
In being willing to have the conversation, we help create a
If you have additional specific questions please feel free
supervisor for support.
Connections