IF
you're talking with Ivette Chavez Gonzalez and think to yourself, "I've seen that face before" it's because you probably have. Ivette, a peer outreach worker in the Harm Reduction Center, spends her work days talking about harm reduction and the services Evergreen Health
provides to people who use drugs. Sometimes that's in the Syringe Exchange or the new drop-in services, and other times it's out in the community. She has also been featured in agency marketing campaigns, on bus shelters and even a billboard. For many people, Ivette is their introduction to Evergreen and the principles of harm reduction, and she works hard to make sure that first impression counts. "I walk the community and talk to people about the services we provide," said Ivette. "I attend events with other agencies and advocacy organizations, like VOCAL-NY." When she's not out in the field (or on a billboard) Ivette works in the Syringe Exchange providing clean, safe supplies and information to people who use drugs. It's not just a chore to Ivette. She clearly cares deeply about the people who come to the Exchange. "I provide clean supplies in a non-judgmental, non-stigmatizing way," she said. "That invites people instead of making them feel uncomfortable." Building trust and comfort among a population group that is so often marginalized can be difficult. Ivette said it's frustrating when she's not able to serve her community the way she would like. "Sometimes there are barriers that I have to climb to get people what they need," she said. "The system is not set up to help my people all the time." She also said she would like to see more wound care services and education, and greater support for people who are using drugs.
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Ivette talks about "my people" and "my community" because she's a peer, connecting to people because she's been in their shoes. Ivette had been a patient at Columbus Hospital and started coming to Evergreen for HIV care. She soon began using the Syringe Exchange Program and was subsequently linked to other agency services. "My friend Liza was working here at the time," said Ivette. "I told her that I wanted to do what she does. Liza gave my name to the team members at the Syringe Exchange Program and I started doing peer work." She is very proud of the work she does for the community, and takes a great deal of satisfaction from it. "I love talking to and helping my community." Ivette grew up on the west side of Buffalo. "I'm very involved in the NA (Narcotics Anonymous) community. I attend meetings and support others in recovery. I enjoy going to see concerts and, most importantly, I love shopping for sneakers." With her busy schedule, we're not surprised she needs good sneakers.
Vue Rooftop Lounge | Curtiss Hotel
Parade photos by Leslie Fineberg
If you have any questions about COVID-19, please send an email to COVID19questions@evergreenhs.org. Mark your calendar! The submission
For questions about Evergreen’s COVID-19 vaccination program, you can email COVID19vaccinequestions @evergreenhs.org. Or, visit ADP or evergreenhs.org for more information.
deadline for the August 2022 issue of Connections is Friday, July 22. Be sure to get your content in before the deadline to guarantee placement. Kids, pets, vacations, recipes -we want to share it all with Team Evergreen! Email EvergreenConnections via Outlook.
Jovino Morales..............................................July 1 Mary McCann................................................July 1 Jesse Gasbarro.............................................July 1 Brittany Loops...............................................July 1 Nakia Fears....................................................July 3 Crystal Pereira-Finley...................................July 4 Meghan Canfield...........................................July 4 Jeffrey Heras.................................................July 8 Sean Patrick Dempsey-Gregory.................July 10 Katherine Mego.............................................July 11 Kaitlyn Hamm................................................July 12 Joelle Toal......................................................July 12 Mel LeMay......................................................July 13 Christina Sheppard.......................................July 13 Ray Ganoe ......................................................July 14 Ian Schunk......................................................July 16 Kristin Rivera..................................................July 16 Isabella Acosta..............................................July 17 Laurie Abbatessa..........................................July 17 Thomas Foels................................................July 18 Dennis Blakely II.............................................July 18 Keisha Leavy..................................................July 19 Heather Wilson..............................................July 21 Rebekah Bongiorno......................................July 22 Aanya Wood...................................................July 24 Cassie Farmer...............................................July 25 Heather Fangsrud.........................................July 25 Israt Arjuman.................................................July 26 Chris DeVoe....................................................July 27 Linda Colburn.................................................July 27 Cecil Sutton....................................................July 29 Kelley Young...................................................July 30 Shaina Beck...................................................July 30 Nicole Callahan..............................................July 31
ANNUAL TRAININGS COMING SOON It’s almost annual training time again! Annual trainings are required for all staff to complete and contain company trainings, policies and acknowledgements. There will be plenty more communications to come so keep an eye out for further emails. In the meantime, feel free to check out all the new and updated courses in Evergreen University. Reach out to Jocelyn Leising with any questions.
Erikka Hill .................................................... 1 Year Jack Burd.................................................... 1 Year Yhandisha Lobley-Thrist.......................... 1 Year Elizabeth Gattman.................................... 1 Year Latina Abram............................................. 1 Year Celena Rothrock........................................ 1 Year Roberto Torres........................................... 1 Year Chelsea Coyne........................................... 1 Year Dylan Schlosser......................................... 1 Year Benjamin Goldenberg............................... 1 Year Em Bystrak................................................. 1 Year Michael Haase Jr....................................... 1 Year Emily Tyler.................................................. 1 Year Andy Anderson.......................................... 2 Years Zachary Rombough.................................. 2 Years Melanie Deyoe........................................... 3 Years Nakeie Carpenter...................................... 3 Years Stephanie Simmons................................. 3 Years Jeffrey Heras............................................. 3 Years Tiffani Williams.......................................... 4 Years Alyssa Shon............................................... 4 Years Suzanne Lambie........................................ 4 Years Tamarie Novo............................................. 4 Years Amanda Thornton..................................... 5 Years Melissa Gulino........................................... 6 Years Brittany Price............................................. 6 Years James Gerwitz.......................................... 6 Years Nakia Fears................................................ 6 Years Brianna Cabrera........................................ 6 Years Annette Pabon........................................... 6 Years Emma Fabian............................................. 7 Years Harry Berkoh-Asamoah........................... 7 Years Melissa Delgado........................................ 7 Years Marlyn Moore............................................. 8 Years Bianca Morris............................................. 8 Years Renee Hartson........................................... 8 Years Becky Siuta................................................ 8 Years Steven Rein................................................ 8 Years Stephani Miranda...................................... 9 Years Christina Parker......................................... 10 Years Patrick Hildenbrandt................................. 11 Years Tara Monaco.............................................. 12 Years Dale Kingston............................................. 16 Years Normal Bocanegra................................... 17 Years
Interested in providing feedback on Evergreen’s Employee Pay and Performance Initiative? Sign up for one of the following focus groups by clicking the link below:
Open to All Staff Wednesday, July 6 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Commons) Wednesday, July 6 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Commons) Tuesday, July 12 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Zoom) Tuesday, July 12 from 1 – 2 p.m. (Zoom) Thursday, July 14 from 12 – 1 p.m. (Hertel) Thursday, July 14 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Bailey) Tuesday, July 19 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Mathews) Tuesday, July 19 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Zoom) Thursday, July 21 from TBD (Prather) Thursday, July 21 from TBD (Prather)
Open to Managers Only Tuesday, July 26 from 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. (Mathews) Tuesday, July 26 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Commons) Thursday, July 28 from 9:30 – 10:30 a.m. (Zoom) Thursday, July 28 from 3:30 – 4:30 p.m. (Zoom)
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editor Marketing Team
Contributors Jocelyn Leising Megan Fagyas Marcia Derby Ian Eastman Leslie Fineberg Nancy J. Parisi Emily McGorry Connections is the monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and its affilliates, the Pride Center of Western New York and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.
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Left: Jocelyn Leising holds her Buffalo Business First 30 Under 30 award. Right: Matt Iwanski-Jackson, Jocelyn, Gaelin Carrig and Christine Marrano at the ceremony.
Top, l-r: Hepatitis C Awareness Day in Jamestown; patients meet in the new Harm Reduction Center's drop-in services; the Southern Tier crew at the Huddle. Bottom, l-r: the Marketing and Communications Team at Seneca One Tower; the Southern Tier office has a nest full of new neighbors. Thank you Marcia Derby for the "family portraits".
Top, l-r: Kelly Craig speaks at a press conference announcing a $26,000 grant from the City of Buffalo to the Pride Center, Vogue Buffalo and GLYS; Southern Tier staff took a bus to the Huddle. Bottom, l-r: Posing with the driver on arrival; a volunteer crew from Trusted Choice Home Care helped organize Tshirts for the Pride celebration.