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roper nutrition is essential for good health, especially

client of Evergreen before becoming an employee. I met a few of the

for our patients living with HIV or other chronic

patients before I worked here. I just turn that into being more of a

health conditions. Evergreen’s Nutrition Program

personal/supportive peer to our clients, and being that source of

has a variety of ways to help patients achieve and

information about other programs or services.”

maintain better health, such as nutritional health education, access

to food vouchers and an on-site food pantry stocked with disease-

with a country twang,” he said. “After graduating high school

Marques was born and raised in Dallas, Texas. “It’s a big city

specific healthy foods. Marques Elder is Evergreen’s Nutrition

I wanted to go out and explore the world, well, the country to be

Support Assistant.

exact. I lived in New Orleans for about two years up until Hurricane

Marques is used to busy work days. There are emails and

Katrina, then Houston, Atlanta, Greenwood (South Carolina) and

voicemails to respond to, appointment reminders for patients and

finally here to Buffalo.” This led to a full and varied work history,

records to update, all while providing support services to Nutrition

along with seats on the Ryan White Planning Council of Greater

Program staff and patients.

Dallas and several other civic committees. “I’ve worked alongside

The Nutrition Program has a tremendous impact on the lives of

local and state health officials on a quest to end the HIV/AIDS

participants. “Many of our patients have told me the program gives

epidemic. I’ve had the opportunity to be the liaison to Donald Sneed

them a challenge,” said Marques. “To overcome the temptation

of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS and bring ideas

of eating bad foods and eat healthier foods instead.” Through

that pertained to my generation living with HIV.”

nutritional health education, patients learn the importance of proper

nutrition along with practical ways to make better choices that still

a lot since both of my parents have remarried to other people with

taste good. Other topics include food safety, basic cooking skills,

big families.” He describes himself as “a church boy”. “I was raised

budgeting and how to follow a recipe. There are group workshops

in the Church of the Living God (C.W.F.F); this helped to root

as well as one-on-one sessions. “All of this helps our patients live a

and ground my faith. Anything that’s centered around church is

longer life.”

my way of escape.” Marques is very active in his current church.

Marques enjoys helping patients make these positive changes.

“I’m a member of the Men’s Department and Music Ministry (he’s

“I love what I do,” he said. “I wouldn’t change it for the world. It’s

a worship leader),” he said. “I’m also a Minister. I was ordained in

those challenges and rewards that drive me to come to work every

Dallas in 2015 and I’ve since formed my own ministry, the Divine

day. Getting up and coming to work knowing that I have a mission is

Vision Fellowship. I’m currently working on building a local

important. I focus on adding a little ray of sunshine into the day for

community choir for young adults. My dedication to gospel music

our patients and staff.”

has grown.”

“One challenge I face is setting boundaries between working

and personal relationships with patients,” said Marques. “I was a

Marques is the oldest of six. “A rather small family has grown

We’re glad Marques is here at Evergreen adding those little rays

of sunshine to our lives!

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onnections readers have seen several photos of

York when they’re close to capacity. We also take in local

rescue dogs in Matthew Sydor’s care. Matthew and

surrenders who need help and engage in outreach work to

his wife Kristi are involved with Sadie’s Safe Harbor

educate owners about positive training techniques.”

Canine Rescue (SSH), a volunteer organization

that works to rescue dogs facing euthanasia and

waiting to be placed by SSH. “When we started thinking about

Matthew and Kristi now serve as foster parents for dogs

place them in caring, permanent homes.

adopting a second dog, we decided to look into fostering

“Kristi and I adopted our dog, Sadie, from Sadie’s Safe

instead,” said Matthew. “We were familiar with the process

Harbor in 2015,” said Matthew. “She brought so much joy to

and Kristi had fostered dogs while in school. Being a foster

our lives. She was what’s called a high behavioral need case

parent means we open our home to a gentle soul in need and

because of the neglect she endured before being rescued.

help them in any way we can. Some dogs require extensive

She had little trust in people and struggled when someone

behavioral modification training. Others require intensive

approached her. Sadie’s foster mother told us stories about

medical care. We take the dogs to vet appointments,

when she was brought to New York from Ohio. There was

administer medication, bring them to adoption events at pet

only one person from the shelter that Sadie would let handle

stores and attend meet and greets with potential adopters.

her. So he made the drive to New York just for her.”

There’s also a lot of play time, belly rubs and snuggling!”

It often takes time for rescued dogs to adjust to their new,

There’s a lot of work involved, as well. “People always

“fur-ever” home, especially if they’ve been abused. “Sadie

think of a cute puppy sleeping or playing,” said Matthew. “But

wouldn’t allow some of the family members in her foster

there’s another side they don’t show in commercials. It’s the

home to pet her for several months,” said Matthew. “She was

owner clutching a bottle of cleaner and paper towels. Carpets

still learning to trust her new family and people in general.

get torn up, furniture is chewed, garbage cans get knocked

When we met Sadie we were told not to look her in the eyes,

over and many socks go missing. It takes a lot of patience

pet her or acknowledge she was there. The foster mother

to get through some of the difficult days, but it’s worth the

feared that she would be afraid of us. Within 30 seconds

work!”

Sadie put her paws up on my chest and let me pet her. She

definitely chose us to be her people!”

“Every dog has a different story when they come to our

Like Sadie, most of the dogs helped by SSH come from

house,” he said. “And it can be absolutely heartbreaking.

a high-kill shelter in Gallia, Ohio. “Whenever this shelter is

We’ve had dogs who spent the whole first day shaking in the

overrun with stray and surrendered dogs they euthanize

entryway and wouldn’t come into the house. Then there is the

them so they can take in more,” explained Matthew. “They

bittersweet goodbye. For most of our dogs goodbye means

contact SSH and other rescue organizations in New

they’re going to their forever home. We do home visits to see

Matthew admits the work can take an emotional toll.

how families and other dogs interact with our foster. If for any

us far too soon, she experienced love and lots of chew toys,

reason we think it might not be the best fit for our friend, we

which would not have happened if our rescue could not have

keep them until a more suitable application comes along.”

stepped in. And these success stories continue long after we

Other times the goodbye comes too soon. “Sometimes

foster the dogs. The adopters are able to tell the true success

our dogs’ wings are ready before our hearts. It’s beyond

stories. For example, our little girl Sadie can now warm up

our control no matter how much we try. In the past few

to new people after about 20 minutes and a few treats. After

months our rescue has lost three dogs to medical issues.”

about five treats she’ll jump into someone’s lap and demand

One of these three, Ripley, was also one of Matthew’s most

that they pet her. This is a very long way from where she

challenging cases. Ripley was a four week old rescued from a

started. And now she helps change the lives of our fosters.

fighting ring. “All eight of the dogs rescued from the ring had

She likes to pretend she doesn’t care if there’s another dog

ringworm,” said Matthew. “They were showing extremely

around but the truth is, she’s an amazing big sister. The foster

aggressive behaviors. They had limited interaction with

that spent the first day in the entryway, Rocky, would only

people during a very crucial period and we were worried

come up to new people or new parts of the house when Sadie

about how they would be as they got older. Ripley turned out

guided him and showed him that everything was okay. When

to be the most lovable foster we’ve ever had. She could never

we were fostering two puppies at the same time she was a

contain her excitement when someone came over to visit her.

great mother to them. Any time playing got too rough she

If there was a lap available she would sit in it and fall asleep all

would run between them and make sure it was fair.”

night. Her loud snoring was adorable. If I laid down she would

fall asleep with her head across my neck until I was ready to

are always welcome!” said Matthew. “People always say ‘I

get up. When we first brought her home she was afraid of the

couldn’t do it because I would keep them all’. I said the same

grass, which I never knew was possible. She’d always been

thing. But when you see the impact you have on these dogs,

on concrete or gravel until we brought her home. When I took

you want to help more. It’s a great feeling to play matchmaker

Ripley outside she would perch herself on my shoes, look up

and bring joy to another family. We’re on our eighth foster

at me and whine until I picked her up and brought her inside.

and would love to make it to 50!” If becoming a foster parent

It was painful to think about someone trying to use such a

isn’t in the cards, Matthew says donations (cash, toys, food,

delicate girl for fighting. I was so thankful that we could save

leashes, collars and baskets for fundraisers) are appreciated.

her. But she also saved us. Having her made us realize how

lucky we are. She had been mistreated and written off by

breeds are the best. You get dogs that are full of character and

many but she still gave everything she had to make us happy.

look different from every other dog. Buying from breeders

Every story is a success. Even Ripley’s story. Though she left

can perpetuate the cycle of shelter dogs.”

Would you like to get involved? “More foster parents

Finally, “adopt, don’t shop!” advised Matthew. “Rescue

Connections

Photos (all photos courtesy of Matthew Sydor) Previous Page: Cody. Left: Maverick.

Top: Cody. Bottom: Ripley and Maverick.

Birthdays Brian Orlikowski.............. December 1 Jessica Raiber................... December 1 Jacob Perrello................... December 1 Adam Costanza................. December 1 Kristin Rickert.................. December 3 Anna Ihle......................... December 3 Julie Mayer....................... December 5 Steven Rein...................... December 5 Shirley Bruno................... December 6 Terresa Aughtry................ December 7 Susan Hanners................. December 7 Theo Herman................... December 8 Tyrell King....................... December 10 Kadie Desbordes............... December 12 Christina Carter................ December 12 Rose Serrano.................... December 13 Carly Casali...................... December 14 Gary Nigro....................... December 15 Matthew Crehan Higgins... December 15 Thomas O’Kell.................. December 15 Brittani McKay................. December 16 Shaquita Wilson............... December 16 Michael Canty.................. December 16 Andrew Kiener................. December 16 James Gerwitz.................. December 17 Melissa Delgado............... December 17 Carmela Green................. December 20 Ryan Trubits..................... December 20 Anthony Roth................... December 20 Jennifer Graham............... December 21 Jillian Fanning.................. December 22 Sergio Ponce.................... December 22 Toni Hernandez................ December 23

Christina Turner............... December 24 Laura Pasquarella............. December 25 Steven Sanders................. December 26 Anabel Rivera................... December 27 Justin Azzarella................ December 27 Courtney Bradley.............. December 28 Xavier Washington........... December 28 Alex Marranca.................. December 30 Nancy Colon..................... December 31

Anniversaries

Once again this year the participants of the Trans Wellness Conference were offered the opportunity to participate in an Art Therapy open studio. A variety of materials are made available to encourage the expression of thoughts and feelings. For some participants this is a way to de-stress, and others use it as a means to further explore issues raised during the conference. Everyone seemed to enjoy the opportunity to be creative. Connections

Maria LoTempio........................15 years Johanna Aponte.........................13 years Helene Cacciato........................13 years Rosalind Townsend....................12 years Laura Pasquarella......................10 years Nicole Coonly............................7 years Angela Torrie............................6 years Debora Johnson.........................3 years Odalis Norales...........................3 years Ventenese Hollins......................2 years Cathleen Niedermayer...............2 years Rosemary Roche........................2 years Andrew DiRienzo......................2 years David Setlock............................2 years Glendalisse Vargas.....................2 years Lisandra Rivera.........................2 years Andrea Ace...............................1 year Jacquelynn Huntz......................1 year Brodie Skowronski.....................1 year Samanth Starke.........................1 year Andrew Verity...........................1 year

Congratulations Everyone!

Left to Right: Anthony Roth, Security Guard; Anabel Rivera, Phone Operator Generalist; Felissha Humphries, Phone Operator Generalist; Alyssa Sherman, Clinical System Specialist; Amanda LaFleur, Client Services Manager; Christina Carter, Care Coordinator; Hannah Burrows, Licensed Practical Nurse; Gary Nigro, Exchange Worker

I’m very proud of having dared to skydive again this year! The last time I’d done so was in Egypt in 1991, right before I got out of the Army (did I just date myself?). I leapt out of the plane 10,500 feet over Niagara County, laughed uncontrollably the whole way down, and walked on air for hours. I’m going again soon and would love to form a group. Anyone dare to join me? — Richard Baer

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Something I did this year

that I’m proud of is that I went on an eight day cruise with my family and explored some islands. This was something I didn’t think I could accomplish since I’m afraid of water, boats and airplanes. It was such an amazing experience. — Magali Maldonado

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I traveled to Ireland. — Andon Ticco

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I wrote

the introduction to a chapter about diversity in a book of photographs of Allentown. I got to autograph copies of the book at the launch party. It’s not as glamorous as it sounds... my hand was sore for days.

— John Carocci

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This year I’m proud that I started my own business and am chasing my dreams

with it. I’m starting a gourmet and medicinal mushroom farm in Buffalo (called Monster Mushrooms!) and hoping to cultivate gourmet mushrooms, medicinals and interest in home agriculture in my community. — Lindsay Zasada

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I completed my master’s degree! — Jess Lehsten

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month the Information Technology Department would like to raise awareness regarding our phone system. As you may already know, Evergreen utilizes a Cisco phone solution; the Cisco 7841 IP phone to be exact. In this article, I’ll show you some shortcuts, tips and tricks for using this specific device.

The Cisco 7841 IP phone is an awesome device. It’s a four line phone, but at Evergreen we reserve two of the lines for quick responses such as Code Blue/Mr. Weber and the Evergreen guard’s desk. This leaves two lines available to make and receive calls. When placing a call outside of the agency please remember to dial nine and then the seven digit number you’re attempting to reach. If the number is outside of Buffalo remember to dial the full ten digit phone number. Here are some of my favorite shortcuts: • to transfer a call to someone’s voicemail, simply place the call on hold, dial the * then the staff member’s extension.

• to voice dial someone, dial # then speak their first and last name. After you’ve done that please confirm with the system that the person you’re dialing is in fact the person you’re attempting to call.

You can find more information regarding our phone system on the Intranet. Click on the phone section in the quick links for details regarding call handling, hunt group extensions here at Evergreen and much more. If you have any issues with your phone or the phone system please notify myself or a member of my team. We’re more than happy to help anyone experiencing issues with the phone system.

Connections

High-Five Recipients from October 20 to November 19 >>

High-Five. Noun. A gesture of greeting, good-fellowship or triumph in which a person slaps the upraised palm of the hand against that of another. At Evergreen, we love to give high-fives! Here’s a list of everyone who was lucky enough to get their upraised palm slapped this past month. Well, really they just got a virtual high-five. But, that’s still pretty cool. We’ll be featuring our high-five recipients each month so be sure to slap someone’s hand, virtually, who deserves it!

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A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A A

Alex Marranca Amanda Thornton Amy Usiak Andrew DiRienzo Andrew Verity Anna Ihle Anthony Roth Beverly Jones Billy Sandora-Nastyn Brittany Hesson Charles Smith Christine Marrano Cristina Salcedo-Postell David Setlock Emily Oaks Hannah Burrows Helene Cacciato Jillian Dagastino Jocelyn Leising John Carocci Joseph Pignatora Joseph Sessa Justin Azzarella Katie Mego Kimberly Herrington Leonora Umuhoza Linda Colburn LJ Atwal Melissa Delgado Mike Blasdell Misty Wolff Rachel Voelkle-Kuhlmann Rashaun Nelson Rebekah Russell Rob Baird Samantha Gaerte Tayrin Tapia

Meet my daughter Trinity Iris! Trinity was born with Amniotic Band Syndrome (ABS), which caused her to be born with just a thumb on her left hand. ABS occurs when the inner membrane (amnion) ruptures without injury to the outer membrane (chorion). This exposes the baby to fibrous sticky tissue (bands) from the ruptured amnion, which can float in the waters of the uterus. These fibrous tissues can entangle the baby, reducing blood supply and causing congenital abnormalities. In some cases a complete amputation of a digit(s) or limb may occur before birth, or the digit(s) or limb may be necrotic (dead) and require surgical amputation following birth. According to our specialists, Trinity’s incident happened at 12-13 weeks in utero. Trinity has a full functioning thumb, part of the bones where her pinky finger would be located and all the bones in her wrist. No other bones exist past the point of her wrist.

No surgery or medication was needed as Trinity’s left hand was fully healed while continuing to grow in the womb, and she has already begun to learn how to use that hand. She attends occupational therapy every other week and is making phenomenal progress. When she is a young adult, she may decide that a prosthetic would help her and then we will explore those options. As of right now she is a baby and she is doing amazing. As you can see she’s a very happy girl. She isn’t hindered in any way and she has been the best thing that has ever happened to us. We love her to pieces! Trinity loves music and watching the Voice on television. She’s a social butterfly who loves talking to people in her language. Trinity is also a member of the Lucky Fin Project, a non-profit organization that raises awareness and celebrates children and individuals born with many types of limb differences. Nemo is their mascot and orange is the color of their support ribbon. We appreciate all of the support of our family and friends!

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