May connections final

We hear it all the time: “I love working for Evergreen!” Maybe you’ve even said it yourself. Evergreen is a special place to work. We’re valued and cared for in ways that go above and beyond. In fact, Evergreen was named one of the top five best employers in Western New York by Business First, and they would know. A healthy work environment like ours doesn’t just happen. It takes vision, hard work, and a strong commitment to the idea that people are our most important resource. Evergreen has these things in abundance.

We also have Christine Marrano, Director of Training and Talent Management. Christine is the subject of May’s Connections Profile.

Christine grew up in West Seneca, and attended West Seneca West High School before graduating from SUNY Fredonia with a degree in Finance. She then earned a Masters in Adult Education, with a

specialization in Human Resource Management, from Buffalo State College. Christine went to work for M&T Bank in 2008. During her time at M&T she wore several hats, such as Operations Manager, Training Manager, and Brokerage Operations Specialist. Christine was also a member of the bank’s Diversity Development Program.

Here at Evergreen, Christine works with Human Resources and Center leaders to attract the highest quality employees to our ranks, and help develop their talents and skills once they’re here.

This involves creating the tools and systems necessary for assessing skills, coaching, and performance management in order to meet today’s needs and anticipate tomorrow’s.

“I want to help prepare a workforce for fast-paced growth,” says Christine. “We have to grow as fast, if not faster, than the company.”

One of Christine’s goals is to implement a training program

with multiple tracks tailored to the role a particular employee will play within the agency. She is also building a comprehensive learning system which would serve as a “one-stop-shop” for a variety of different types of trainings (i.e. web-based vs. instructor-led).

“It’s my job to help Evergreen unleash the potential of its employees, help them own their careers, and prepare them for the key transitions which will allow our agency to continue growing,” says Christine. “As our jobs get bigger, how can we help staff truly develop and grow to meet those challenges? That’s the exciting question I get to take on!”

Christine is working hard to help guide Evergreen staff through a period of explosive growth, but there are some areas that are fine just the way they are now.

“Everyone here is so nice and helpful,” she says. “I love that Evergreen is a community based organization. The client-centered approach is wonderful.”

In her spare time, Christine is an avid snowboarder, and serves on the Board of the West Seneca Central Schools Finance Academy. She has also volunteered for the Make-a-Wish Foundation since 2008.

“I’m a Wish Grantor,” says Christine. “I usually deliver two wishes per year. It’s an amazing opportunity to turn a situation that’s less than great into something special for a child.”

The process of granting a wish can be involved. First, there is a meeting with the child and their family to discuss the wish, and prepare any documentation which may be required. Then, with the help of the Make-a-Wish Foundation, Christine delivers on the wish.

“Sometimes a wish can take a while to plan out and deliver,” Christine says. “I make sure to keep it fun for the wish kid with letters, surprise visits, phone calls and small gifts. I’ve done everything from trips, to room makeovers, pool parties, shopping sprees, etc. There’s nothing better than seeing the looks on a kid’s face when they get to experience their wish!”

Connections Feel free to contact Christine if you have any questions or comments about staff development or training at the Evergreen Association.

It’s an exciting time to be part of The Evergreen Association.

Change is everywhere: new construction, expanded services, new programs, and new faces. However, growth is never easy; sometimes we have to revisit our fundamentals in order to lay the groundwork for the future. Over the next five months David Haefner, Christine Marrano, Julie Mayer, and the entire EMG staff will be involved with the research, design, review, and implementation of the new and improved EMG Policies and Procedures. Just another step towards the exciting future in store for The Evergreen Association!

Connections

Being able to come back and be a part of the growth of the agency. — Rich Fleurant A My highest moment at Evergreen was when I was able to re-link a patient back

into care who had been lost to care for almost a year! There were many barriers, but together we worked through them one by one, and now the patient is linked to care.

— Dawn Trotter A I have two: getting a client into care quickly when they tested positive, and creating a new family at work whom I love so much. — Jimi Konidis A The high point in my time at Evergreen has been seeing all the different expansions since I started here in 2008. — Mindi Mietlicki A My Evergreen highpoint was putting together Patient Appreciation Month at Evergreen Medical Group. — Ellen Kaminsky A I don’t want to sound cheesy or cliché, but truly, every time I do an intake or feel

like I made an impact or difference in the life of a client is a high point. — Nichole Frank A There isn’t just one option. It’s been an amazing place to work! — Susan Buck

When a song becomes popular and they play it 20 times a day on the radio! (Susan Buck) This was so easy.

The Kardashian craze (rolling my eyes). I just don’t get it. People put them on this pedestal, and too many people try to be like them or put way too much value in everything they do. In my eyes they are no better than you or me. If I saw them on the street I would walk right past them without a second glance. (Nichole Frank) Emojis. UGH. (Ellen Kaminsky) Perhaps I’m showing my age, but vocal fry and up-speak drive me crazy! (Susan Fiedler) Donald Trump. (Jimi Konidis) Adele/Josh Groban, Dancing with the Stars, and Adele/Josh Groban. (Rich Fleurant) Automatic transmissions on cars. (John Carocci)

The Facilities team handles most custodial tasks, but there are some areas that are up to you and your department to keep tidy. These include your desk or workstation, break areas, and refrigerators.

Did you know...

A 83 percent of American office workers eat lunch at their desks regularly A 36 percent clean their desks regularly, and 64 percent of those clean monthly or less

Oh, the crumbs! Here’s why this is especially gross: A desktops contain 100x more bacteria than a kitchen table, and 400x more than a toilet seat You’re looking really hard at your keyboard right now, aren’t you? Facilities does some cleaning of work surfaces, but you should consider getting into the habit of wiping down your own space.

You can always ask the Facilities team for approved cleaning supplies.

Breakrooms & Kitchens Cleaning dirty dishes, and throwing away rotten food from the fridge is your responsibility.

Here are some tips to keep your common ares from stinking: A keep your fridges at 40* or below, and your freezers at 0* or below A make a fridge-cleaning schedule with your team A if perishables have been in the fridge longer than a week, throw them out A don’t store food and drinks in the same fridge as medicine or medical supplies... that’s seriously gross A empty all liquids into the sink, then rinse the sink A tell Facilities when you’ve cleaned your kitchen so we can change the garbage and help with big stuff A talk about how you can keep your work spaces clean in your Department and Center meetings

There’s $500 for you in Evergreen’s Employee Referral Program. Refer a qualified friend for an open position, and if they’re hired you’ll get $100 after they complete 30 days. You’ll get another $150 after they complete 6 months, and another $250 after they complete a year at Evergreen.

Tell your friend to write your name on their application, then fill out the Employee Referral Form, and return it to HR

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico Traveling to another country is an exciting experience, for sure, but for me the most powerful thought is always how similar we are all over the world. The humanity of everyone I met in Cabo San Lucas — both inside and outside the resort — was penetrating, and every bit as beautiful as the landscapes there.

The problems people face, their joys and sorrows, the day-to-day mishaps and successes all add up to a very shared life experience, even if the culture is different from what most Americans are used to.

Simply put, and in no uncertain terms, Americans tend to want what they want, when they want it. A lesson is learned when you realize there are people in the world who aren’t in as much of a hurry as we can be. This was painfully evident at times, such as when waiting for service in the shops and cafes. The people were kind and pleasing, don’t get me wrong, but the workers didn’t feel the need to rush anything. If you wanted something, you were on their schedule.

At first I was like, “what’s going on here?” but once I let go of what I thought needed to be happening, it was all very refreshing. A reminder of how much more I need to polish myself to be the type of human being that can truly embrace others, be with others, and be happy no matter what! - Steve Sanders Note: Steve has agreed to make “Travels With Steve” a regular feature. Look for his insights and photos from all around the world in future issues of Connections.

May '16 Birthdays Jerome Robinson......................May 3 Misty Wolff................................May 9 James Konidis............................May 9 Sally Russell...............................May 9 Rosalind Townsend...................May 13 Emma Fabian............................May 13 Matthew Sydor.........................May 16 Angela Torrie.............................May 17 Michele Ogden..........................May 19 Kyle Botsford.............................May 20 Brian Kempf..............................May 23 Aeriq Turman............................May 26 Grant Rogers.............................May 27 Derik Miller...............................May 30 Helene Cacciato........................May 31 Harry Berkoh-Asamoah............May 31

Anniversaries Robert Baird................................1 year Thomas Fronczak........................2 years Jamie Keuck................................3 years Rashida Williams........................3 years Theresa Woehrel........................4 years Gloria Kornowski........................5 years Corinne Henderson....................6 years Julie Vaughan..............................6 years Cornelia Meredith......................10 years Theresa Shankland.....................10 years Laurie Matson.............................12 years Your continued dedication and hard work are noticed and appreciated - Management Team

THE NEST | CAMERON SCHRAUFSTETTER There were so many emotions running through me while I was creating this piece of artwork.

My living situation was not ideal, and this was starting to have a big impact on my health, both physical and mental. The Nest symbolizes home, wherever that may be. I wanted to stick it out with my roommates, if only because they were my best friends and had been there for me when I felt nobody else was. It took a lot to get my life back on track, to pick up the pieces that had been strewn in every direction. I was finally doing what was right for me, yet still having to deal with the problems of those closest to me. I thought I had built up this nest with my friends, a place to call home. Finally it was a place that was ours, something none of us really had. Our collective struggles and experiences brought us together, and helped us find the twigs and branches to build our nest, our home. It was the longest place any of us, I think, had stayed in a while. Over time, I began to feel the weight of our issues and problems and it felt almost too much to bear. I had to get out. I had to leave the nest. For a while, I thought there could only be one nest. Over time, I have come to realize the nest is something you build together with the people you love. The nest, like a home, is where the heart is. No matter how broken or dysfunctional your nest is, it can be built back up wherever you go, as long as you have a strong foundation and love. That love can come from a person, a place, or from somewhere deep inside yourself. A Cameron participates in the Pride Center Art Therapy Group whenever he can. His most recent work is a perfect example of how the Art Therapy process can assist with identifying and externalizing feelings, gaining perspective, and developing insight.

- Laura Pasquarella

Join Team Evergreen for the 36th annual J. P. Morgan Corporate Challenge! This year’s 3.5 mile challenge is Thursday, June 23, 2016 at Delaware Park. Participation costs $36, but you can pay later! Registration lasts until Tuesday, June 7, or until the race sells out (and the race always sells out, so don’t wait). Your entry fee of $36 gets you entered in the race, an official Corporate Challenge t-shirt, an exclusive Evergreen Corporate Challenge T-shirt, and access to food and fun after the race!

Contact Melissa Delgado in Human Resources at mdelgado@evergreenhs.org or at extension 3107 for more info!

Connections

Our Logo Gets a Refresh!

The Marketing Team is developing a comprehensive branding system for Evergreen, which will help us promote agency programs, events, and services in a clearer, more consistent manner. The first phase was a refresh of the logo. We made it bolder, simpler, and more modern. It’s also more versatile. The variations in shape and color shown here will allow the logo to work in nearly any situation, particularly online. The next phase is a set of standards on every aspect of how we present ourselves to the world, from the language we use to describe ourselves to the colors of our marketing materials and building signage. These standards will help us avoid vague or mixed messages, and give our marketing efforts added punch. Look for updates from the Marketing Team in future issues! C

M AY 2016 PUBLISHER/LAYOUT

John Carocci

COPY EDITOR

Martha Sawicki

CONTRIBUTORS

Melissa Delgado Jakob Willoughby Ray Ganoe Steve Sanders Laura Pasquarella Cameron Schraufstetter Connections is a monthly newsletter for Evergreen employees (that’s you).

Send your story ideas, photos, or just a friendly hello to John Carocci.