EverGrowing Spring 2021 Issue

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WELCOME

to the second issue of our newly refreshed, rebranded and relaunched donor newsletter! As our spring days turn to summer and we gain more

hours of daylight, I hope you’ll take a few moments to read through this issue to see some of the great things we are up to.

I would like to start by thanking you for your loyal support of Evergreen Health and its affiliates during what

has been a very trying time for us all – individually and as a community. With the hopes of putting our worst days behind us, I wanted to take the time to reflect on what we were able to achieve in the darkest of times due to the generosity of our donors. Some highlights from the past year include: l

Dining Out For Life fundraiser: The pandemic required us to shift this annual fundraiser to being a virtual event, yet we still saw an incredible amount of support. Over 200 donors stepped up and offered their support of over $36,000!

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Giving Tuesday: These were unchartered waters for Evergreen Health Foundation and we had no idea what to expect. In a span of 24 hours, 82 donors participated and donated nearly $32,000! Every dollar raised went toward supporting patient services and programs and really helped to make a difference as we closed out the year 2020.

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Year-End Appeal: Our donors also responded to our Year-End Annual Appeal and contributed over $15,000 in support of Evergreen Health’s patients!

Those are just a few of the great ways that you showed your pride as a supporter of Evergreen Health

Foundation!

In this issue of EverGrowing, you will get the opportunity to meet Martin Steck, Board President for the

Evergreen Health Foundation. You’ll also learn more about the Evergreen Health GEM Society and the impact of monthly giving. Additionally, we are thrilled to share all the details about our new Spring Appeal. This replaces our Year-End Appeal fundraiser and this time we give back to you! Every donor will receive a small gift for their donation to symbolize the countless lives you have touched with your donation. Your help has set our patients on their journey of growth and health.

Thank you for being a supporter of the Evergreen Health Foundation!

Richard J. Ridenour,

Executive Director of Evergreen Health Foundation

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Martin Steck, Board President for the Evergreen Health Foundation, shares why volunteering his time to Evergreen is so important to him and how his long history with our agency inspires him to give back to the LGBTQ+ community.

Are you a patient of Evergreen? If so, why did you choose Evergreen? I am a patient of Evergreen for HIV prevention. I started going to the Pride Center for routine testing. Then in the middle of one of my tests, a staff member asked me if I’d given any consideration to using PrEP. They connected me with the proper people at Evergreen and walked me through the whole process. I was getting my primary care elsewhere at the time. But since I was coming to Evergreen every three months for my PrEP appointments, I decided to move my primary care over from another health care facility.

What do you like about being a patient at Evergreen? The staff. It doesn’t

matter how swamped, how busy they are or how difficult their last patient may have been, the Evergreen staff is just amazing every time. They are friendly. There is zero judgement. What I enjoy the most is the kind, gentle manner in which they care for people.

What progress have you seen in the LGBTQ+ community? I’ve seen

tremendous progress. We fought for 25 years for marriage equality. If I could find a husband, I could get married now! That is tremendous progress. Part of that, though, has been my own progress too. My progress is what motivates me to volunteer and serve on the board and to do the things that I do.

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What made you choose Evergreen as a place to donate your time? I started volunteering for Pride

Week after I moved to Buffalo in 2004. I then started doing some volunteer work at the Pride Center for the executive director. My friend, David, who was on the Pride Center board of directors at the time, referred me to the board as a board member candidate. Eventually I came to be involved with the foundation board.

Over this period of time, the more engaged I got, the more it has become part of my DNA to participate and contribute. The more I learn about the organization, the more I feel compelled to help it.

When you first started volunteering for Pride Week, what kind of things were you doing? I helped

set up and tear down tables in Bidwell Park. That’s where the Pride Festival was held back then. Set up was easier than tear down. Tear down was after we’d been there all day and we were very tired.

What does it mean to you to be a board member? It’s fulfilling because I feel like I’ve got a footing and

an understanding of how this works and the expectations. It’s one of my favorite things to do. There are days that I would like to be just focused on foundation board stuff. It’s a wonderful distraction from work.

I love what I do for a living, but I don’t mind being distracted from it. I feel compelled to help. There’s a need and I’m more satisfied with my volunteer work than most anything else.

Does being a board member tie into your day job in any way? The financial piece of being on the

board does tie in because I’ve spent 35 years in the financial services industry. I see where we continue to grow our foundation board, the things we’re doing and how my expertise and what I’m learning dovetails with that nicely.

You have a long history with the Pride Center and Evergreen. Do you have a favorite activity or

event that you’ve participated in? There are several events. One in particular was Cause for Celebration.

I’m at an age where I’ve seen both sides of the AIDS epidemic. I’ve seen members of our community pass away from HIV complications. I’ve seen members of our community living healthy lives with HIV. What

I feel compelled to help.

I'm more satisfied with my volunteer work than most anything else.

- Martin Steck probably impressed me the most was not the money that was raised, but the AIDS Memorial Quilts you’d see when you walked into the Cause for Celebration space. Those were a big deal. It hit home that many people passed away from this illness. We’re living through it again right now. I didn’t think I’d live long enough to see another pandemic and we’re living in a world where half a million people died in our country from COVID-19. Cause for Celebration was very sobering, but it was a time where people came together to help.

While other events Evergreen does are wonderful, I’d have to say the Pride Parade and Festival are a big

deal for me. For probably about five years, I organized a group from my office and we walked in the parade.

Those were the days when we were a MetLife firm, so we had this antique Volkswagen bus with Snoopy on it and we were throwing Snoopy dolls out to the kids and celebrating. I’m a small town kid and there were many moments in my life growing up gay that I felt like I was very, very alone. Then I go to Pride and I’m in a large group with thousands of people from the LGBTQ+ community. Suddenly I realize, ‘Wow, I’m not so alone.’ So I’d say the actual celebration of Pride is my favorite because the sheer numbers of people.

When the very first Pride was held at Canalside, I got to the gate and saw all those people celebrating our

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I'd have to say the Pride Parade and Festival are a big deal for me.

- Martin Steck diversity and I felt like we’ve kind of arrived as a group of people.

What do you like to do in your spare time? Do you have any children or pets? I have a 30-year-old

son, Preston, who lives in Texas with his wife. Other than that, I have Hugo. If you know me, you know my dog. My 10-year-old French bulldog gets a lot of attention when we walk up and down Elmwood Avenue.

As far as hobbies, I love camping at Jones Pond. I love my spare time to get away. One, because I love

the outdoors. Two, because I have a pretty comfortable campsite. My escape is to go to my home away from home and enjoy a campfire. EG

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Like so many LGBTQ+ organizations throughout the country, we are re-imagining Pride in the year 2021. These are difficult times for so many of us, but just as we have done for so many years, we will move forward, finding strength through love, inclusivity and unity. Pride as a concept – as a time to reflect and raise our voices – will always remain.

Home Sweet Pride Buffalo Pride Week wants YOU to decorate your homes and businesses in the most colorful and jubilant Pride decorations you can find to remind our beautiful community that Pride Week is here. In this “reverse parade” (instead of floats going by houses, we decorate the houses as we would floats!), we want to show everyone our support for the LGBTQ+ community during Buffalo Pride Week. The “Home Sweet Pride” event encourages our community to decorate homes, businesses, apartments and even our sidewalks in Western New York.

Share your pictures with the hashtag #buffaloprideweek and tag @buffaloprideweek.

Speaking With Pride Shout it out! We want LGBTQ+ voices to be heard during Buffalo Pride Week. Take to social media to tell us what Pride means to you in a post, tagging @buffaloprideweek and using the hashtag #buffaloprideweek. What you contribute can be as unique as you are, a relevant song, meme, quote – whatever uplifts you as a member or ally of the LGBTQ+ community.

Throughout Buffalo Pride Week, we will be sharing your posts, so keep them coming. We know that Pride has different meanings for everyone and we are so excited to see what only you can come up with, because you’re one of a kind!

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THIS

year, Evergreen Health Foundation will be launching its Spring Appeal in May. While you may be familiar with our Year-End Appeal in December, we decided to transition to a Spring Appeal

centered around the idea of hope. We are all aware that the COVID-19 pandemic is still prevalent in our lives and we are uncertain when things will get back to normal; however,we also know that spring is approaching and that means there is hope for brighter days ahead!

The support we have received from our community and donors like you have allowed us to continue our mission

and care for our patients every single day. We have made great progress throughout the last year pivoting our care in ways we never imagined possible, such as meeting patients virtually, performing COVID-19 tests and administering COVID-19 vaccines to the community. Despite a global health crisis, an overdose crisis and racial inequity, we were able to keep our doors open and play the role that our community needs. This is all thanks to your generous support!

A tax-deductible donation to our Spring Appeal will directly support the programs and services we offer to our

patients. Gifts of every size help our patients continue on their path to living a healthy life. In return for your generosity, you will receive a handmade seed paper heart in the mail shortly after donating. Seed paper is biodegradable, recycled paper embedded with non-GMO wildflower seeds that will blossom into flowers once planted. By donating to our Spring Appeal, you are providing our patients with hope and we have the opportunity to brighten your day with flowers! With all of the changes to our lives recently, it is important to remember that spring is a time for growth and flowers are still blooming, even in a global health crisis.

To show your support, please make checks payable to Evergreen Health Foundation at PO Box 1106, Buffalo, NY

14201. You can also donate online by clicking HERE and selecting “Spring Appeal” from the donation category. EG

THANK YOU FOR GIVING OUR PATIENTS HOPE!

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AT

Evergreen, we are big fans of the monthly giving model. Donors make a recurring payment every month and when reviewing their statement,

they can be reminded of the steady impact they’re making in our community. At the end of the year, what seemed like nominal donations become a grand total that so many are proud to have provided. Giving monthly is a rewarding way for individuals to give back to an organization that they love in a meaningful and convenient way.

We are thrilled to announce the development of this sustainable

new way of supporting Evergreen Health and our affiliates. Monthly giving provides a secure and hassle-free method for breaking down your donation into more manageable amounts over the course of the year. You can change or suspend your gift amount at any time. Best of all, you become part of a community of committed supporters that makes powerful, long-term impact for our patients.

Starting at $10/month ($.33/day), or a level of your choosing, your donation will make a positive impact on the lives of our patients.

We’ve illustrated the commitment levels for the Evergreen

Health Foundation GEM Society and the ways they can potentially be used to support our patient population:

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Ruby Level | Monthly Contribution of $10 ($.33/day):

Can contribute to the Patient Enrichment Fund to support patients in a variety of ways, including covering a co-pay or bus

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pass.*

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Topaz Level | Monthly Contribution of $42 ($1.40/day):

Can purchase a tank of gas for our Mobile Unit to help serve the eight counties of Western New York in reducing incidences of overdose deaths and hepatitis C and HIV infections.*

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Emerald Level | Monthly Contribution of $84 ($2.80/day):

Can provide a glucometer and test strips for two patients living with diabetes.*

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Sapphire Level | Monthly Contribution of $208 ($6.90/day):

Can provide a home blood pressure monitor for two patients with hypertension.*

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Diamond Level | Monthly Contribution of $417 ($13.90/day):

Can provide household goods and furniture to furnish an apartment for one patient.*

Please note that these are examples that show how your gift can be put to work. If you would like your donation to go to a specific area (for example syringe exchange or HIV care), we can make sure that happens! *

As a member of the Evergreen Health Foundation GEM Society, you can expect:

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An invitation to our exclusive, annual GEM Society appreciation event to meet other passionate and determined donors dedicated to fostering a healthy WNY community

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Monthly updates from Evergreen Health Foundation GEM Society that share the impact of your gift

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Monthly receipts and a comprehensive statement of your contributions for tax purposes every January

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Best of all: to make a substantial difference in the health and wellness of community members who need it most

If you would like to learn more, have questions or would like to join as a member of the Evergreen GEM

Society, please email foundation@evergreenhs.org or call 716-847-2441. You can also learn more by visiting evergreenhs.org/donate/gem-society/.

Your steady donations as a GEM Society member means that we can continue to help individuals and

families in Western New York who need it most. We can fill up the gas tank in our Mobile Unit so that people in remote areas can have access to syringes and Narcan, lessening their chances of HIV and hepatitis C infection and overdose death. It means that patients who cannot afford a co-pay can still access medical care. Giving the gift of good health to our community has a ripple effect. Once individuals can overcome these barriers, our community can truly become an inclusive and vibrant place to live. Thank you for your support.

EG

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Evergreen, we envision a future where everyone has access to affordable healthcare in an inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgment-free space. Our core values to welcome

everyone, celebrate diversity and respect everyone’s life experiences determine how we operate and succeed. Last summer, we reflected on racial inequity and the social determinant of health present in the healthcare system and ways we can use healthcare as an opportunity for equitable change. As 2021 begins, we decided to touch base with Dr. Fatai Gbadamosi, chief medical officer at Evergreen Health and see what Evergreen has integrated for racial equity.

Dr. Gbadamosi, better known around Evergreen as Doc or Dr. G, begins by explaining the three-year

racial equity action plan Evergreen has committed to so that the organization can move closer to the goal of being a more equitable workplace and providing care through a health equity lens. Although Evergreen has had an equity department long before many businesses were being held accountable, Doc believes this three-year plan will get Evergreen closer to an unbiased healthcare approach.

“Population health is something we take seriously to make sure we have a better analysis to address

quality,” says Doc. Foundational data is meant to hold the organization accountable, internally and externally and will help create a baseline from which to grow. Increased education and training and identifying areas of opportunity within the organization are also key goals.

“We need to have an understanding of social determinant of health being addressed to help healthcare

through equity,” says Doc. “Because if someone is homeless, poverty stricken or cannot afford care, we need to make all efforts to make sure that is addressed so we can get them up to par with the rest of the population.”

Population health data gives Evergreen better analysis to address quality. Additionally, healthcare must

be personalized to the patient’s specific situation and needs. Doc says, “What works for Patient A doesn’t necessarily work for Patient B. Unless you take a closer look at an individual, they may have the same problem

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but the outcome may not be the same because of their unique situation.”

Doc recalls an instance where a Black patient was not treated in an equitable manner when referred

to another organization, “A gentleman needed surgical intervention to see a specialist. He had HIV, which is a stigma in itself, plus the color of his skin. I always encourage my patients that when they go to a specialist, ‘I want you to tell them about your medical history so they can best address your care.’ He did.

Well, unfortunately, as soon as he mentioned his [HIV] diagnosis and of course the color of his skin, the plan seemed to change after that. He was told, ‘You don’t need surgery.’ Well, he came back and wasn’t so happy.

I wasn’t too happy either, of course. I reached out to the group and talked to them. It was an uncomfortable discussion. But they said, ‘Well let him come back and we’ll take care of him.’ And they did, but the problem is, do we have to do that for everybody?”

The goal of health equity is that people are all treated based on their individual needs. “They are human

beings who need to be taken care of correctly, and that’s what we do,” says Dr. G. “Medicine is meant to take care of people regardless of their background.”

“I am a very optimistic person,” continues Doc. “Trust is not something you can gain overnight, so it has

to be built over time. We have opportunities to do it now. When people see a proactive role being played at all levels, whether it is community, state or federal, that will improve trust over time.” Dr. Gbadamosi and the team at Evergreen are committed to enacting positive change so that trust can be restored in healthcare and everyone will be treated fairly and with respect.

- by Melissa Meyer

Evergreen Health’s mission is to foster healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral health services to individuals and families in Western New York – especially those who are living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system. Explore our website for more information about our programs and services.

Evergreen Health has been providing respectful, non-judgmental care to vulnerable communities in Western New York for nearly four decades.

The challenges have changed over the years but our mission and values have remained constant. Your support has been essential in making this work possible. As the world adjusts to life with COVID-19, the need for our programs and services is greater than ever. To help us continue our vital work, click the link below to visit our donation page. Thank you!

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IN HER

role as community mobilization coordinator at Community Access Services, Arica Rouse works to establish resources and educate individuals so they can live their

healthiest lives. Arica has always been motivated to find ways to help the community, from her days working in foster care and with individuals with developmental disabilities. With CAS, she found a career that is uniquely her – she is able to help people, educate them and educate herself.

Can you tell me a little bit more about the work you do? I know you’re a community mobilization

coordinator? Right. I do a lot. I help with some of the social media and event planning. I help to strengthen and create relationships with community partners. I reach out and reconnect with agencies to provide services. I also work with peer group programs, Peer-to-Peer and CLEAR, so I facilitate trainings for them. Pre-COVID, I would observe their continuing education in the community.

How to do you explain Community Access Services to people? CAS is really in the heart of the community.

14215 is one of those zip codes that is just disproportionally affected by HIV. We’re in the community, so you can come right to us. It’s convenient. Much of the staff resembles the population that we serve, so we take pride in that. We provide pantry services. You don’t find too many pantry services in the 14215. It’s convenient for them to walk here.

What drew you to this type of community work? Oh my gosh, well I have worked in human services for

years starting with working with individuals with developmental disabilities. I’ve worked in foster care. I’ve worked for the county. Really what drew me to Evergreen and CAS was the diversity. And working in sexual health is such an interesting and fulfilling role. I don’t think anyone else gets to do condom demonstrations and play with lube. This is a daily thing. I get to go on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and inform the community about what we’re doing. This kind of work is very “me.” I’m helping people, educating people and educating myself. I don’t see myself doing anything else.

What has been the reaction of the community when you talk about lube and condoms? All kinds. A lot

of young people, they might know about condoms. But you’ll find they still don’t know to check the expiration date or they all think they need magnums. So, let’s have a conversation, because you might not. And if you don’t think it makes a difference, it does. It might slide off. Then you could have an unplanned pregnancy or

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risk an STI. Breaking it down like that makes them understand.

I love the dental dam demonstrations. It’s just fun and entertaining. They’re like, “Oh my god I’ve never

even heard of this.” So, I say, “Go ahead. Taste it. See if you like it.” And they’re like, “Oh! This is good!”

With seniors, it’s refreshing to have them open up to you because there’s a stigma, and I don’t want to say

that it’s just within communities of color, I think it’s an overall stigma that seniors can’t have sex. Well, sex doesn’t stop at a certain age. You can have sex as long as you want. I educate women about lube. A lot of times we go through changes, whether it’s hormones or surgeries. Lube helps us with that! Their eyes kind of open like, “Wow! My doctor never even told me that.” I am 100% rewarded when I can tell somebody something maybe their healthcare provider never even mentioned before.

I know CAS has also been really focused on letting the community know that you can help connect

them to primary healthcare. A lot of patients need a primary care provider. Whatever they need, we can get them linked to. There have been a lot of times when I’ve called providers and they’ve sent somebody out to get the patient enrolled right on the spot.

Have patients expressed that they tried to find primary healthcare themselves and had trouble or that

they didn’t know where to begin? Either that or they’re working with somebody and that person is taking forever to do it. Sometimes, patients aren’t that great at reading. Some of the population is not that good with technology or even using the phone. It’s helpful for them to have us to advocate for them.

Can you tell me about an experience with a patient that left an impact on you? I’m looking at the poem

now. I had a CLEAR program (the CLEAR program stands for Choosing Life: Empower, Action, Results and is described as one-on-one meetings to set and accomplish life goals) participant and she was serious about these five sessions. She wrote this poem. In her early days, she had some of her work published but then she had some substance problems and got away from it. So, she wrote this poem and I’m telling you, it blew me away. I have it hanging on my desk and I look at it all the time. It’s a reminder of how this program impacted her and how it impacts others. People have told me that sometimes they pick up things from CLEAR that they didn’t get from counseling.

Why do you think that is? CLEAR is a path for your future. The whole program is only five sessions but it

I don't see myself doing anything else.

- Arica Rouse

is concentrated. We want you to visualize your ideal self, your highest, best self, so you can get to achieve your goals. Even though we only meet for those allotted times, we are thinking about years down the road. We’re looking ahead.

What did CAS do to mark Black History Month? We encouraged people to come in and get tested. We put

some beautiful baskets together. They had condoms, vibrators, candles, room spray and local business raffle donations. We were really excited about it.

What types of things do you like to do when you’re not working? Netflix and chill! And that’s because of

the pandemic, obviously. I don’t feel safe going out to eat, which I loved doing previously. And my niece, I love having her over. My sister’s work schedule has kind of changed so I’m helping her and her fiancé out. I just love her. She’s four and a Scorpio, just like me! I like a nice drive, even when you don’t even know where you’re going. Again, that’s just since the pandemic. Just driving and clearing your head.

So, last question, what Netflix series should we all be watching right now? Well, I just finished Bridgerton.

It was very good. It’s got scandal, steamy salaciousness. It starts off a little slow but by episode two, I was like, “Oh this is what’s going on?” I’m locked in.

We're proud to work alongside our affiliates to provide and ensure access to affordable healthcare to all Western New Yorkers in an environment that is inclusive, compassionate, respectful and judgment-free. Thank you, Arica, for being an indispensable team member!

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