July revised

Southern Tier Services held an Open House to show off their new home to the community.

Clients and supporters toured the facility, and learned about the various services Evergreen provides to the Southern Tier. Visitors were wowed by the beautiful offices, but, even more importantly, by the friendly, professional staff who served as Evergreen’s ambassadors for the day. Congratulations to everyone involved!

Birthdays Susan Niedermayer ............................. July 7 Raymond Ganoe ................................. July 14 Gary Williams ...................................... July 15 Ian Schunk ........................................... July 16 Laurie Abbatessa ................................. July 17 Shawn Moultrie .................................. July 17 Keisha Leavy ........................................ July 19 Gloria Kornowski ................................. July 19 Rebekah Alm ....................................... July 22 Andrew Ma le .................................... July 24 Shannon Curry .................................... July 25 Cheryl Brune .................................... July 26 Thomas Green..................................... July 27 Cecil Su on ......................................... July 29 Maureen Penzo ............................... July 29 Kathryn Kra ....................................... July 31 Monique Stays .................................... July 31

Anniversaries

A birthdays, anniversaries, etc A

Becky Siuta............................................1 year Renee Hartson ......................................1 year Marlyn Moore ......................................1 year Steven Rein ...........................................1 year Cameron Schraufste er .......................1 year James Konidis .......................................1 year Bianca Morris........................................1 year Stephani Miranda .................................2 years Alex Ando ..............................................2 years Constance Butler ..................................2 years Chris na Turner ....................................3 years Barbara Poff ..........................................3 years Patrick Hildenbrandt ............................4 years Tara Monaco .........................................5 years Jason Rein .............................................5 years Dale Kingston ........................................9 years Norma Bocanegra ................................10 years

Remembering the little things make those we come into contact with feel special and cared for. This is Customer Service at its best. It’s a lost art in this busy world!

Your ConƟnued DedicaƟon and Hard Work Are NoƟced and Appreciated - Management Team

Make a mental note of the little details that are important to people— coworkers and clients alike. Pay attention during conversations to: A their family members: kids, parents, siblings A A important dates, events A

V

| Preventing Violence in the Workplace

iolence has been a serious problem in the American workplace for many years, and that’s not likely to change soon. We’ve all seen news reports of horrifying massacres by disgruntled employees. Recent years have seen steady increases in workplace incidents, including intimidation, sexual assault, and domestic violence on company premises.

You are responsible for taking steps to prevent violence, not only for your own protection and that of your co-workers, but for the legal protection of the Association in the event of an incident. Employers can be (and are) sued for inadequately investigating an applicant’s background before hiring, for not providing proper supervision, or not firing an employee despite reason to suspect they might commit violent acts. In many states, property owners are required to protect people who enter their premises from situations known to be dangerous, so an employer may be liable in cases of violent acts on property they own or lease.

It’s easy to identify the more blatant forms of violence that can occur in the workplace, such as physical or verbal assaults, robberies, thefts, hostage-taking, hijackings, rapes, and other sexual crimes. However, violence often occurs

in subtler forms, such as threats, intimidation, harassment, inappropriate aggression, bullying, teasing, and inducing fear. These kinds of violence must also be identified and kept in check, because they create a hostile atmosphere that can lead to more extreme behaviors down the road.

After a violent incident has occurred, it often seems to have been predictable—if only someone had been paying attention to the warning signs, and acted on what they saw. Be alert for the following behaviors that might indicate potential problems: substance abuse, absenteeism, depression, indirect threats, outbursts, repeated conflicts with others, dramatic changes in behavior including withdrawal, talk of weapons, endorsement of the use of violence to solve a problem, or identification with someone who has been violent.

Learn and practice techniques to resolve workplace disputes in a positive way, such as looking at all sides, being clear about what you want, arranging a time/place to discuss the issue, and using a neutral third party to mediate. Work conflicts are inevitable, but you can take steps to manage your own anger. Take a deep breath, remove yourself from stressful situations, plan “stress breaks”, and listen “actively” by hearing, clarifying and reflecting their words back to

them, to make them feel genuinely understood.

It’s critical that you speak up and report any concerns, and all reported incidents of workplace violence must be properly investigated. Don’t hesitate to report an incident to a higher level of management, Human Resources, or our company hotline at 541-0663 if action is not taken.

Do your part to create a safe, respectful, caring environment. Report incidents of violence, intimidation, threats, verbal abuse, harassment, profanity, and disruptive behavior in the workplace. Promote good communication and interactions. Support co-workers who need help with stressful personal issues. Create an atmosphere of mutual respect, teamwork and tolerance. While no one can guarantee that his or her workplace will be free of all violence, taking steps to prevent or resolve potential problems before it is too late will dramatically decrease the risk of harm and liability.

C Connections is sharing this article as part of our Corporate Compliance program. Be on the lookout for Evergreen-specific workplace safety information in coming issues. Evergreen staff should feel safe and comfortable at work. If you have any questions or concerns about workplace safety, talk with your supervisor.

Last month, Connections featured a story about Saw Min, a

have some access to translation services, however, many

Care Coordinator who breaks through language barriers for

of his clients live alone or don’t know any English-speaking

Evergreen’s Burmese clients. This month, we’ll learn about

people. Without Fallah and Evergreen, these people would

Fallah Kassar, and how he ensures that his unique client-

be cut off from the healthcare system—suffering through

base overcome their obstacles to healthcare and support

treatable illness and pain because they can’t communicate

services.  Fallah Kassar is a Care Coordinator who works with

their needs with providers. Speaking Arabic with his clients,

Evergreen clients who primarily speak Arabic. Without Fallah’s

and acting as a translator, Fallah is a link between his

help, his clients can’t go to medical appointments, or access

clients and the care that they need. Fallah reports that his

the social services that they need. Some of Fallah’s clients

clients say that Evergreen gives them hope in their lives. C

Connections J U LY 2015 PUBLISHER/LAYOUT John Carocci

COPY EDITOR Martha Sawicki

CONTRIBUTORS Tasheri Artis Ellen Kaminsky Jimi Konidis Martha Sawicki Kate Gallivan Gary Williams Laura Pasquarella Connections is a monthly newsletter for the employees of the Evergreen Association (that’s you). Send suggestions, photos, story ideas, or a friendly hello to John Carocci. We’ll keep you connected to the Evergreen family!

Connections

My acceptance letter to my first choice college. - Jimi Konidis C My second holographic Charizard Pokemon card when I was a kid (might’ve unethically traded for it with my younger cousin). - Sean Tulumello C My college acceptance letter. - Kimberly Brown C Most important letter? Received from my dad at age 22, when I was living 2000 miles away in Denver, telling me that I could always come home to Buffalo, and his pride in me would never change, regardless of my choices! - Ellen Kaminsky C The most important card I ever received was my kids father’s day card. - Marlyn Moore C The best cards are always the just because ones, especially handmade. - Susan Buck C I always like handwritten letters. My mother used to send them to me periodically when I was in school. - Matthew Sydor C Soon after the first play I wrote was produced I got a letter written on paper similar to my grandmother used with handwriting that reminded me of hers from a man who said his mother worked in my familly’s restaurant as a kid and telling me he loved the show. I always felt like it meant maybe she had too. - Matthew Crehan Higgins C My acceptance letter to college. It started me on a path where every experience impacted which way I turned and

landed me here at Evergreen 11 years after that letter arrived! - Christopher Reybrouck C The first birthday card my son made for me years ago (it’s still on the refrigerator). - Andre Stokes C I received the most important letter from my niece, when she was 5 years old. It said “I want to be just like you when I grow up.” Thankfully, she grew to be so much stronger than I am. She’s awesome. - Ezekiel Goodwin C One of the most important letters/cards I’ve ever received was my letter saying I was accepted to go to college at 35 years old. It started serious changes in my life for the better.

I’ve learned/tried so many more new things since then. Every year I add more and more “firsts”, and I plan to continue adding new education and adventures! - Heather Maloney C I’m very sentimental and keep every card and every letter, they’re all important! - Michele Ogden C The most important card I’ve received was from my Mothers Primary Care Physician when she passed away. It was a heartfelt note that accurately described her as a person and helped me to validate my work here at the agency. It was actually written by Lynn Grucza (Thank you). It still hangs in my office today as a reminder of the reasons why I chose this line of work. - Melissa Lacount

Art Therapy can be a dynamic process, and it doesn’t get much more dynamic than Art Therapy with Life Changes. I have the pleasure of mee ng with this lively group of young men monthly. Through the crea ve process we explore a wide range of topics, such as self image/self esteem, personal feelings and accomplishments, and conflict/resolu on. Sessions begin by using the crea ve process to explore a topic, followed by a group discussion of the artwork and the topic. Members have the opportunity to express ideas and feelings, o en for the first me, that they may have diďŹƒculty pu ng into words. This becomes a way to iden fy with and support each other. Recently, we explored ways we nuture ourselves in body, mind and spirit. This par cipant portrays bible study, self reflec on, exercise and social support as behaviors he employs to care for himself. - Laura Pasquarella

$500 IS A LOT OF EXTRA MONEY. WITH $500, YOU COULD BUY $.........25 Fisher-Price® Snug-a-Monkey ...........Sleepytime Plush Toys at Target $.........41.6 bottles of Debbie Gibson’s ...........Electric Youth perfume on e-Bay $.........500 bags of pretzels at Dollar Tree ...........It’s easier than ever to earn ...........$500 from Evergreen’s ...........Employee Referral Program!

Here’s How: 1 ..........Refer a qualified friend 2 .........Rack up your rewards! ...........$100 after referee is ...........employed for 30 days ...........$150 after referee is ...........employed for six months ...........$250 after referee is ...........employed for one year

Don’t Forget! $.........Tell your friend to write ...........your name on their application $.........Fill out the Employee Referral ...........Form, and return it to HR $.........Enjoy 32 large cheese & pepperoni ...........pizzas from Dominos on Evergreen!

Root beer float. - Sal Sciandra  Lemon ice from Hannahs Frosted Treats on Colvin in North Buffalo. - Jimi Konidis  I have an ice cream problem so it’s usually in full swing around this time.

- Sean Tulumello  Freezie-pops! I’m pretty sure from 8-12 years old, my summer diet consisted of only freezie-pops. My mom always had to remind me that they are not a substantial meal, but rather a treat that should be consumed in limited amounts. - Abby Szal  Salted caramel frozen yogurt. - Kimberly Brown  Sorry about how cliché this is, but, hey, I love it. Warm evenings with the windows open, listening to summer rain storms. - Ellen Kaminsky  A LARGE turtle blizzard with extra turtle and oreos… extra oreos. - Cord Stone  An ice-cold Heineken beer. - Marlyn Moore  Nice fresh fruit salad while sitting in the backyard with a fire, watching the sunset over the lake. - Susan Buck  Cookie dough ice cream. - Matthew Sydor  My mom’s deviled eggs at a cookout. - John Carocci  The Dairy Queen Blizzard of every month, and kayaking. Also, trying to keep up with Chris Miller on our bike ride from Boston to NYC. - Matthew Crehan Higgins  Limber, a Spanish frozen treat, they come in tropical flavors. - Elisa Luciano  Pina Colada. - Cecil Sutton  Ice Cream from The Custard Corner on Niagara Street. YUM! - Christopher Reybrouck  Cake batter ice cream from Coldstone. - Andre Stokes  My favorite summertime treat is iced coffee. I’ve tried to stay away from Starbucks, but they have new frozen drinks made by Satan’s own sugary hands. I might need a support group. - Ezekiel Goodwin  I just started kayaking last summer... warm-weather, good exercise, and a fun family activity! I have 4 kids ages 8,12, 16, and 18 and we all LOVE to kayak! - Heather Maloney  I have 2 ice cream makers and I LOVE making ice cream in the summer. I also look forward to gazpacho and ceviche. I make a delicious strawberry gazpacho with crispy rosemary! This summer I’m going to try to make lobster and scallop ceviche for my friends! - Michele Ogden  Strawberry shortcake. - Melissa Lacount

Clockwise from left: Abby at an Atlanta game with fiance Andrew and cousin D.J. Cecil rides the London Eye in... wait for it... London!

Elisa strikes a pose in Puerto Rico.

Christina on the pier in Santa Monica.

Oops, one more: The spot in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic where Andy Kiener got engaged!