COMMUNITY
Access Services offers a variety of nutrition and food-related services to the community. The on-site food pantry offers a three-
day supply of food for qualifying residents of the 14215 zip code. The Nutrition Outreach and Education Program (NOEP) provides information on the New York State Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food-related benefits, as well as one-on-one help with the application process. Robin Matos is the NOEP coordinator at CAS. She conducts eligibility prescreenings and helps potential participants apply for SNAP. Robin also follows up with patients, and tracks specific data to identify and address food insecurities for individuals and families. "My focus is to increase participation in SNAP, School Breakfast Programs and the Summer Food Service Program," Robin said. "My responsibilities include, but are not limited to, providing up-to-date and accurate information about SNAP for low-income individuals and families, whether it's over the phone or in-person." Robin also works hard to build alliances with other organizations in the community who serve people that may need SNAP assistance. "I attend events throughout the year," she said. "I schedule days to table at their location(s) and provide SNAP information and assistance for those that need it. I promote our program by conducting outreach and distributing information all over Erie County. My goal is to reach as many individuals as possible who may not know that there is help or who may be having problems with the application process." SNAP issues electronic benefit cards that can be used like cash to purchase food, and helps low-income working people, senior citizens, people with disabilities and others feed their families. Eligibility and benefit levels are based on household size, income, and other factors. Robin notes that the need is severe. "In the City of Buffalo, 34 percent of individuals and families are receiving SNAP." Robin says she finds satisfaction in her work when she sees the positive impact of her efforts on the people she works with. "It’s rewarding to know that my contributions make a difference. SNAP recipients often face a range of challenges. Many have unstable income, which makes it difficult to budget for food consistently. There’s also a social stigma associated with receiving government assistance, which may deter some eligible individuals from applying for SNAP benefits. There are so many other obstacles to good nutrition these families
face on a regular basis. The challenges highlight the importance of addressing not only the provision of food assistance but also the broader issue of income inequality, employment opportunities, and access to affordable, nutritious food." What does the future hold? "The future of SNAP is influenced by policy decisions," Robin explained. "Changes in government leadership can lead to shifts in program funding, eligibility, and benefits, all of which can then impact the program's effectiveness. My hope is to see NOEP expand as we continue to focus on the reduction in food insecurity and hunger rates among low-income households. As well as focusing on providing support to vulnerable groups, such as children, seniors, and disabled individuals, is essential for the program’s future success. Continued inflation creates significant challenges for individuals and families, making it increasingly difficult to afford essential healthy food options and negatively impacting their well-being and nutritional choices." Despite the challenges of her work, Robin says that Evergreen's culture of diversity and inclusion appeals to her. "Evergreen offers a variety of services that fit the needs of many who may not be able to get help elsewhere. The fact that we see everyone walking through the door as a human being and not just a chart number is admirable." Robin grew up in Massachusetts. "I lived there most of my life and moved to Niagara Falls 15 years ago. I graduated from Niagara County Community College in 2016 with my Associates Degree in Human Services, then moved on to Purdue University to obtain my Bachelors Degree in Human Services graduating in 2018." Upon graduation Robin began working as a NOEP coordinator in Niagara County. "I did that until COVID hit. I took a break from NOEP and worked another job, but it wasn’t for me. NOEP was calling my name. Fast forward and here I am now once again working with NOEP." When Robin isn't at work, she's a very involved mom. "I have three boys ages 10, 15, 19, and we are always doing something. Whether it’s instrument practice or simply watching a movie, these kids always keep me on my toes. I’m a coffee fanatic so much so that I have a side hustle as an independent barista which I have been doing for the last almost four years.
Dining Out For Life is always one of Evergreen's most popular events, and the 2023 edition was no exception. Staff participated in a variety of ways, from filling tables to serving as volunteer ambassadors to simply enjoying a delicious meal out.
Publisher/Layout John Carocci
Copy Editors Jean Conway Kristy Mangel
Contributors Jean Conway Megan Fagyas Eric Poniatowski
Connections is the official 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.
Mark your calendar! The submission deadline for the December 2023 issue of Connections is Wednesday, November 15. 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.
Zachary Marchese............................November 1 Indie Golson.......................................November 2 Joseph Sessa....................................November 3 Lavine Hatten.....................................November 3 Jason Henderson..............................November 3 Marlyn Moore.....................................November 5 Cathleen Niedermayer.....................November 7 Amber Borkowski..............................November 7 Susan Fiedler.....................................November 8 Pedro Torres.......................................November 9 Renee VanAernam............................November 10 Angela Palmer...................................November 10 Kendra Galligan.................................November 10 Kevin Bidtah.......................................November 10 Annie Lee Mahony.............................November 10 Marcia Derby......................................November 12 Shauntal Fulgham.............................November 12 Sadiyah Jackson...............................November 12 Brittney Warham...............................November 13 Celena Rothrock................................November 14 Sharee Harris.....................................November 15 Alexandrea Sailing............................November 17 Shari DeMarco...................................November 18 Linda Berkoh-Asamoah...................November 20 Emmanuel Hudson...........................November 20 Samantha Gray..................................November 20 Jessica Baker.....................................November 21 Nicholas Maggi..................................November 22 Robert Moore.....................................November 22 Elisa Luciano......................................November 23 Michaela Brown.................................November 25 Pasley Price........................................November 26 Munya Kee..........................................November 26 Katherine Kawa.................................November 26 Tangela Watson-Bogan...................November 26 Laraine Wende...................................November 26 Maria Cruz..........................................November 26 Alexandria Aiello................................November 27 Steven Bennett..................................November 27 Meghan Kinnaird...............................November 27 Amanda Honan.................................November 27 Raina Rodriguez................................November 28 Margo Burgio.....................................November 30 James Davis.......................................November 30 Ashley Lacognato.............................November 30
Antione Holmes..............................................1 Year Samuel Posey.................................................1 Year
The second round of ANNUAL
Miguel Cocerez...............................................1 Year
TRAININGS are in your Evergreen
Benjamin Gerald.............................................1 Year
University profile and are due Friday, December 29. Please reach out to Eric Poniatowski with any questions.
Alexius Richardson........................................1 Year Lindsay Robson..............................................1 Year Eric Marburger................................................1 Year Jake Ralabate.................................................1 Year James Shoptaugh.........................................1 Year Jenny Domke..................................................2 Years Ryan Hughes...................................................2 Years Angela Tetkowski...........................................2 Years Honey Luvvs...................................................2 Years Dakota Huston................................................2 Years Krystal Kwasniewski.....................................2 Years Troy Crawford.................................................2 Years Kaylin Gowan..................................................2 Years Jessica Ziemba Malave................................3 Years Shaquana Zeigler-Davis................................3 Years Sharon Yager..................................................4 Years Mia Romeo......................................................4 Years Deiona Baldwin...............................................4 Years Isaac Resto Reyes..........................................4 Years Kimberly Martin..............................................4 Years Nicole Callahan..............................................5 Years Christina Sheppard........................................6 Years Roosevelt Terry..............................................6 Years Anabel Rivera..................................................6 Years Mustafa Abucar..............................................6 Years Susan Hanners...............................................6 Years John Argo........................................................7 Years Joseph Sessa.................................................7 Years Stephanie Vroman-Goodrich.......................9 Years Dawn Trotter...................................................9 Years Samantha Gaerte...........................................10 Years Marielena Quiros............................................10 Years Courtney Rhines.............................................17 Years Cortney Anderson..........................................17 Years Bridget McClain..............................................21 Years Carolee Corbitt...............................................25 Years
The Pride Center welcomed its supporters to an open house. Visitors toured the Pride Center and learned about the various programs and services directly from staff. Congratulations to everyone involved in making the open house a success!
Participants in the THRIVE Wellness art therapy group once again decorated pumpkins for Halloween, putting the group's creativity on display!
Kim Brown submitted these photos and details of a community event: "This past Saturday, myself and the individuals in the attached photos participated in WUFO POWER 96.5 radio station’s Health, Wealth, & Education Expo at Aqua Banquet Facility. This event provided an opportunity for patient/client recruitment, creating awareness specific to chronic illnesses that impact communities of color, the importance of addressing your sexual health and community engagement specific to the CAS Ken Bailey Project. During the event, myself and Dr. Gbadamosi had the opportunity to speak to health equity and the CAS Ken Bailey Project, while Laurie Abbatessa and Teresa Lee conducted a panel discussion on importance of addressing your sexual health. Ellan Ford and Davon Brown provided education on risk reduction and rapid HIV testing during the event." Note: watch for more details on the CAS Ken-Bailey project in future issues of Connections. And thank you Kim for the great photos!