EverGrowing Winter 2022

Amanda Pollard ONE WOMAN’S STORY OF FINDING HERSELF see page 3

inside this issue...

Letter from the Executive Director

Why I Choose to #GiveBetter

Evergreen’s 2021 Fundraising Recap

see page 2

see page 5

see page 6

from the

Executive Director

At the beginning of each new year, it is common practice to make a resolution. Some may vow to lose weight, eat healthier, spend more time with family and friends or exercise more. I’m sure we’ve all been down that path at one time or another with varying degrees of success.

I humbly suggest an addition to those more common resolutions. My offer is to get more involved with Evergreen Health and its affiliates in 2022. Some ways to achieve this are: l

Make plans to attend our monthly Lunch & Learn Speaker Series! Learn about some of the great work being done at Evergreen, listen to inspiring patient stories and discover the difference you are making, as a donor.

l

Join Health & Wellness Coordinator Alex Marranca as he discusses programs available through THRIVE Wellness Center at Evergreen Health!

Wednesday March 2, 2022 from noon to 1 p.m.

Evergreen Commons | 67 Prospect Ave, Buffalo NY 14201 The Evergreen Health Foundation Donor Exclusive Speaker Series is a new program highlighting what’s happening in the growing Evergreen community. Each month, a team member from a different department will shed light on the projects they are focusing on and how your support makes those projects possible. Lunch will be provided.

Join our community of like-minded individuals by becoming a member of the GEM Society – our monthly giving program!

l

Help spread the word about our unique model of care that works for and welcomes everyone.

Thank you for your generosity and for being a

partner to Evergreen Health and its affiliates. Best wishes for a happy and healthy 2022!

Richard J. Ridenour Executive Director Evergreen Health Foundation

our community of donors this year! Your donations are changing lives by enabling us to reach our mission of fostering healthy communities by providing medical, supportive and behavioral services to individuals and families in Western New York. Your donations to Evergreen Health especially help those living with chronic illness or who are underserved by the healthcare system.

THANK YOU!

I

remember the day was April 11th and I was 50 years old. I had pretty

I was staring at this question for what seemed like an hour. I was suddenly

much bottomed out psychologically and emotionally. I found myself

very aware that I knew what box I needed to check, let’s put it that way. It just

in need of some emergency care. I had never been to Evergreen

came kind of screaming out of me.

before but I knew basically what they did. I was also interested in

There are a few moments in your life that are pivotal. You know when it’s

being anonymous. I was with another doctor at the time and this wasn’t

happening. It’s as if I choose this door, things are going to go one way. I knew

something I wanted to bring to them.

it was one of those moments and I knew what I had to do. I knew it in a way

I knew I needed some care and I’ll leave it at that. I called Evergreen and,

that I really had never allowed myself to acknowledge. I watched my hand

of course, the operator answered and was very sweet and very professional.

put the check mark in this box and I numbly took the form back and handed

I basically sketched out why I was calling and he said, “Let me connect you to

it to the receptionist. A few minutes later they called me back to the exam

a nurse.” This surprised me. On the other end came a lovely voice of a nurse

room. About a minute and a half into it, there’s this little knock on the door. It’s

who still works at Evergreen, Helene Cacciato. She said, “We definitely want

Helene and she steps in. Helene is like a bird. She’s petite and gentle. She’s got

you to come in. How soon can you be here?” And I said, “Well, I can be there

eyes that are full of love and compassion. I noticed she’s got this clipboard in

within an hour.” She said, “We’ll be ready for you.”

her hand. She pulled up a chair right in front of me, almost knees to knees. She

When I got there, they called me in, took a little background and asked

looks at me, smiles and in a gentle voice says, “I noticed on the intake form

me to take a seat in the waiting room and fill out an intake form. I had my little

you put down that you are transgender.” Now, mind you I have bottomed out

pen, clipboard and the intake form. I started off on the intake form, name and

and I said something intelligent, like “Uh…” Then she said, I remember it like it

address. Then I got to gender and I was confronted with something that I had

was yesterday and it always makes me cry, “We can help you.”

never seen before. And the choices on the intake form were male, female and transgender.

I had never really been confronted with this quite in that way. I was struck by it and I knew I was struck by it deeply. So, naturally, I skipped it and filled in the rest of the form. But I came back to it and I sat there in this waiting room.

Through the windows I could see it was cloudy, but then the sun came out and

That’s how I encountered Evergreen. That day I left having received the care that I needed. But more importantly, I left with a call back and with a referral to talk to one of the care coordinators. That’s where my transition began, that day at Evergreen, in that room with Helene.

Amanda Pollard is a professor of Sociology, a patient of Evergreen Health, a donor to the Evergreen Health Foundation and has recently been appointed to the Evergreen Health Foundation Board.

MOCHA Buffalo, part of the Evergreen Health’s Center for Supportive Services, provides LGBTQ+ people of color with access to: l

l

l

l

A safe space to network, socialize and access sexual healthcare Individual support and care management services HIV, STI and hepatitis C testing and education Support groups designed specifically for trans people of color l

l

Sista Sista – a monthly group that provides a safe and affirming space for trans women of color to build a sisterhood Living Authentically – a trans support group for people of color

What inspired you to give to Evergreen Health?

Years ago, I volunteered at Evergreen at a time when AIDS was ravaging the country and much misinformation and discrimination was rampant. Evergreen has since broadened its focus enormously but the core mission – to meet and care for everyone they serve, without judgment – remains.

What do you love most about the organization?

Several years ago, I toured the building and was amazed at the breadth of services offered and the inviting surroundings in which they were available. The summer before our lives changed due to COVID-19, UB hosted a conference on substance use for international Fulbright scholars and Evergreen senior staff and clients were important and impactful speakers. Again, the “meeting people where they are” came through and was inspiring.

What would you like to see improved or changed?

For more information on services, follow MOCHA Buffalo on Facebook and Instagram. MOCHA Buffalo is located at 200 S. Elmwood Ave, Buffalo, NY 14201. Stop in and see us!

I wish more people knew about Evergreen’s services. I’m happy to support the organization in whatever way I can.

The Pride Center of WNY’s Transgender Health Initiative provides free: l

Rapid HIV testing

l

Linkage to PrEP, mental health and primary & specialty medical care Name and gender marker change assistance

l

Referrals to housing, legal services, etc.

l

Risk reduction counseling

l

Monthly groups for transgender individuals, including:

l

l

l

l

TransGeneration – open to all individuals of trans experience of any age Under Construction – open to individuals questioning their gender or at any stage of coming out as transgender, nonbinary, etc.

A support group for the parents and caregivers of transgender youth with concurrent structured socialization for transgender youth

<< D O F L 2 0 2 1

H E R E A R E T H E R E S U LT S O F O U R 2 0 2 1 F U N D R A I S I N G E V E N T S

Dining Out For Life

Giving Tuesday

Total Raised in 2021

$90,148

$27,058

$373,504