February Connections

Making Tie-Dye at the Wellness Center

<< the Alianza Latina Outreach Team hits the streets in January.

Alianza Latina’s Outreach Team is...

TAKIN’ IT TO THE STREETS

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o rest for the weary, even on a cold, snowy afternoon. The Alianza Latina Outreach Team, led by Program Coordinator Felicia Cruz, was out on January 12 doing what it does best: street outreach. Accompanying Felicia were Peer Coordinator Jessica Lehsten and Alianza Peers Millie and Olga.

This dedicated team conducts outreach on Buffalo’s Lower West Side on a weekly basis, bringing much needed HIV/AIDS education and free condoms to those in need in the community. Street outreach is one of the goals required under the NYSDOH AIDS Institute grants that fund the agency. “We are here to provide a service to the community with HIV/AIDS education, prevention counseling, outreach, and promoting programs that benefit the community,” Felicia said. Felicia has been an outreach worker for the past seven years, beginning at Project Reach.

“Street outreach means becoming part of that community and meeting people where they’re at,” Felicia explained. “Enhanced outreach is identifying the need of that person, building a relationship, and linking them to services.” Felicia has trained the Peers on outreach, who already have communication skills, street smarts, and the passion to make a difference.

Back at the Victorian, Peers prepare condom packets with information about the services offered

by Alianza. Felicia and the team go out at least three times a week, meeting people on the street as well as visiting community centers and making “condom drops” to vendors on a regular basis. Their target ar-

eas are the West and East sides of Buffalo—areas that will best benefit from street outreach. Felicia sees a lot of new faces, but many of the same ones as well, facing the same issues. Vendors also look forward to seeing her every week. Felicia has built a rapport in these communities, and they have come to depend on the condom drops and the Outreach Team’s friendly faces. Felicia states, “Being a constant fixture in the neighborhood leads people to trust you, and that’s how I have built relationships.”

When asked to cite the positive and negative aspects of outreach, she said, “A positive aspect is reaching out to members of the community that may not have access to services if it weren’t for outreach.

One negative aspect is the safety issue; we’re going into neighborhoods that have high crime, drug use, poverty, etc, but these are the people we need to reach because they need services too. Another aspect is the weather—especially on a day like today.

It can play a big part on outreach not getting done; however people are looking for us and we’ve got to get the job done. I can say that we have made a difference in the community with our presence. Outreach has always been a part of me as has been talking to people, getting to know them, and helping to make a difference.”

Just like the Doobie Brothers song “Takin’ It to the Streets”, you can bet this team of dedicated outreach workers does the best they can every week to make a difference in the community in which they serve, live, work, and play. - Story by Margie Soto

Respect in the Workplace Submitted by Liya Moolchan Studies and polls indicate that Americans view incivility as a serious problem that is getting worse. One study found that 60% of employees believe co-workers’ disrespect and negative behaviors can have a detrimental effect on productivity and job satisfaction. Civility has just about everything to do with creating workplaces in which people can do their best work and business can thrive. Here are a few ideas for how you can help to create a more civil and respectful working environment: Always respect the value of everyone’s time by showing up for meetings prepared and on time.

Manners matter. Greet everyone with a ‘hello’ and a smile, and be sure to say “please”, “thank you” and “I’m sorry”.

Before acting, consider the impact of your words and actions on others.

Rely on facts, rather than assumptions or second hand information.

Don’t take items from another person’s desk, fail to return loaned items or read another person’s mail.

Don’t use behavior or language associated with racial, sexual, age-related, or other differences that can offend.

Remember, your daily actions signal to others the level of personal respect that you hold for them. What you do and say matters!

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Birthdays Felicia Cruz — 02/02 Jamie Borow — 02/13 Margie Soto — 02/08 Damian Martinez — 02/09 Tom Needham — 02/14 Stephanie Vroman — 02/14 Frank Goldberg — 02/16 Ann Licata — 02/19 Karen McLaurin — 02/22 Sheila Marcheson — 02/22 Victoria De Leon — 02/26

Anniversaries Julie Vaughan — 1 year Lymarilys Rodriguez — 1 year Jacob Perrello — 1 year Yakira Moreno — 1 year James Hill — 1 year Kimberly Harding — 1 year D’Addario, Nicole — 1 year Jamie Borow — 1 year Carrie Sentz — 2 years Joshua McClain — 2 years Crystal White — 3 years Jerome Robinson — 3 years John Carocci — 17 years Your Continued Dedication and Hard Work Are Noticed and Appreciated!

– The Management Team

F E B R U A RY B O O K : L O The February Book Club meeting will take place on Wednesday, February 16 from 12:00 noon until 1:00 p.m. in the Foundation Board Room. We will be discussing Lowboy by John Wray (available at the Buffalo Public Library). Lunch will be ordered from Merge (menu available at www.mergebuffalo.com).

RSVP by Monday, February 12 to Margaret Hodson (x363) or Jim Mohr (x306).

Amazon.com Review: I'm not the first and certainly won't be the last reader to herald Lowboy for the subtle homage it pays to one of the best-known heroes in 20th century fiction, or to envy and delight in its masterful vision of New York City as seen from its darkest, most primal places.

What's most seductive for me about John Wray's third novel — and arguably the one that puts him squarely on the map alongside contemporary luminaries like Joseph O'Neill, Jonathan Lethem, and Junot Diaz — is how skillfully it explores the mind's mysterious terrain. This isn't exactly uncharted land: John Wray's Will Heller — a.k.a. Lowboy — is a paranoid schizophrenic off his meds and on the lam, certain of both his own dysfunction and of the world's imminent collapse by way of global warming, but Wray handles that

W B O Y B Y J O H N W R AY subtext delicately and is careful to make Will's mission to "cool down" and save the world feel single-minded without being moralistic. Wray invokes all the classic elements of a mystery in the telling, and that's what makes this novel such a searing read. As Will rides the subway in pursuit of a final solution to the crisis at hand, we meet (among others) Will's mother Violet, an Austrian by birth with an inscrutable intensity that gives the story a decidedly noir feel; Ali Lateef, the unflappable detective investigating Will's disappearance whose touch of brilliance always seems in danger of being snuffed out; and Emily Wallace, the young woman at the heart of Will's tragic odyssey. The novel moves seamlessly between Will's fits and starts below ground and Violet and Ali's equally staccato investigation of each other above. This kind of pacing is the stuff we crave (and we think you will, too) â&#x20AC;&#x201D; the kind that draws you in so unawares that before you know it, it's past midnight and you're down to the last page. â&#x20AC;&#x201D; Anne Bartholomew Save the Date for the March Book Club Wednesday, March 16 Restaurant TBA Book: The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis

TIE DYE WC ~ at the ~

Julie Vaughan shows off one of the tie-dyed creations made by clients at the Wellness Center

A wonderful time was had by all at the January Wine on Wednesdays event at the Protocol in Williamsville. For more information on this fun event - including future venues and menus - contact Kim Harding or visit us online at www. wineonwednesdays.com.

Dining Out for Life has become one of the agency’s biggest annual fundraisers, and it’s easy to see why. After all, who doesn’t enjoy a delicious meal with friends or family at one of Western New York’s finest restaurants? Here’s how it works: on Tuesday, April 26, participating restaurants will donate a minimum of 25% (and in some cases up to 100%) of every food bill to AIDS Community Services.

That’s it. No catch, no small print, and best of all, no dirty dishes to wash. And with nearly 100 restaurants participating, there’s something for every taste and budget, from pizza in a casual setting to an elegant gourmet dinner. “Gee John,” I hear you saying, “that sounds awesome! What can I do?” Funny you should ask. The beauty of Dining Out for Life is how easy it is to pitch in. Here are three simple but effective ways you can help make Dining Out for Life 2011 our biggest and best ever: Be a Dining Out for Life Ambassador You’ll be assigned a restaurant where you’ll greet patrons, explain how they’re helping fight AIDS just by eating dinner, and answer any questions they may have about the event or AIDS Community Services. You’ll also give them a donation envelope in case they’d like to make an additional donation. Being an Ambassador is a huge help, as nearly 40% of the event’s income comes from donation envelopes! Dine Out for Life Invite your family, friends or Facebook crew out for dinner at one of the participating restaurants. Visit an old favorite or be adventurous and try something new! One warning: nearly all of our participating restaurants will be very crowded on the 26th, so make reservations even if you normally wouldn’t.

Help Us Spread the Word Even if you can’t be an Ambassador or attend the event, help us spread the word to your family, friends, professional contacts, etc. It really makes a difference! — John Carocci

Department of Social Services

Framing Hope Warehouse

by Gary Williams Do you have projects around the house that need to be completed, but you can’t afford to purchase the materials at full price? Projects that require plumbing supplies, light fixtures, doors, countertops, windows, bathroom vanities, sinks, fixtures, etc.? There is a new resource open to non-profits, and essentially to you, that is making materials such as these available at drastically reduced prices.

What It Is? Framing Hope Warehouse, a program run by WNY AmeriCorps, offers deep-discounted items by leveraging donations from local and national retailers through Gifts in Kind International. The warehouse also relies heavily on a partnership with the Home Depot Foundation, which sends truckloads of new products from its stores across the county. Products include overstock or discounted items, as well as special-order items that were never picked up by customers.

How It Works WNY AmeriCorps allows non-profits to pass this program along to their employees with one stipulation—that purchases be paid for via the nonprofit’s company check or credit card. Ron Silverio has agreed to open this up to employees.

Open Houses for Evergreen Association employees are held on the first and third Wednesday of the month between 12:00 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Identify yourself as an ACS employee upon arrival at the warehouse. You will be allowed to leave with your purchases, and I will pay for all your purchases at the end of the day. You reimburse the agency by the next day (check is preferred).

A current inventory and price list can be seen at http://www.wnyamericorps. org/files/webform/warehouse/warehouseinventory.pdf. The Warehouse is located at 635 South Park Avenue, Buffalo. Please contact Gary at extension 329 if you have any questions.

WORKSHOP

by Kate Gallavin The Western New York Coalition for the Homeless is pleased to announce the 2011 Department of Social Services Workshop. The workshop will feature speakers from Medicaid, Food Stamps, Temporary Assistance, Emergency Services, MAAT Unit (Multi-Abuse Assessment Team), Employment, Daycare and more. Participants will have the opportunity to hear updates on each department and a presentation, as well as ask questions. To register, contact Connie Mosher at conniesrudd@ yahoo.com. If you have specific questions, e-mail Connie or call her at 812-8310. Once you send in your request for registration, Connie will send you the total cost for the workshop.

When: Tuesday, February 15, 8:30 a.m. - 3:45 a.m.

Where: Adam's Mark Hotel, 120 Church Street Cost: $20 (Coalition members) $25 (public) Cost includes lunch but does not include parking. Please submit payment by February 11.

Make checks out to Western New York Coalition for the Homeless. Send checks to Catholic Charities, 128 Wilson Street, Buffalo, NY 14212 (Attn: Bill Larsen). Please don’t mail cash. If you plan on paying at the door, notify Connie upon registration.

If payment is not received prior to the day of the workshop, you will be expected to pay at the door.

You will receive a confirmation e-mail prior to the workshop once your payment has been received.

CONNECTIONS CONTRIBUTORS EDITOR KIM LUANGPAKDY PUBLISHER/LAYOUT JOHN CAROCCI CONTRIBUTORS KATE GALLIVAN, JUSTIN HAAG, JIM MOHR, LIYA MOOLCHAN, MARGIE SOTO, GARY WILLIAMS

1

I always flip through magazines backwards out of habit because I’m left-handed.

2

I think Dunkin Donuts coffee is superior to Starbucks, Tim Hortons, AND Spot.

3

My favorite Office character would be Dwight or Creed. Least favorite: Meredith

4

I used to work with autistic preschool and elementary-aged children.

5

In high school, my hair was bleached blonde at one point, as well as blue, purple, green, and black.

6

I will choose vanilla over chocolate almost exclusively, regardless the treat in question.

7

I love summer, specifically cliff/ bridge jumping.

by Jim Mohr

8

I’ve driven over 10,000 miles in three weeks across the continental US and back

9

My weirdest tattoo story is having a small portion of my nipple accidentally tattoo’d. My artist and I still joke about it.

Thanks to everyone that helped with the prescription pill bottle collection project for Doctors Without Borders!

The response has been terrific! The project is coming to and end; the last day to drop off your bottle will be February 15.

THIS MONTH

Justin Haag!

10 I play in a band; we probably won’t be ready to play out until mid-spring, check with me for updates : )