Pathways Spring 2012

SPRING 2012

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pathways VOLUME 16 ISSUE 1

Published by Evergreen Health Services of WNY, Inc.

from the editor

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PRESIDENT & CEO/Ronald T. Silverio EDITOR/ART DIRECTOR/John Carocci COPY EDITOR/Kate Gallivan CONTRIBUTING WRITERS John Carocci, Maisha Drayton, Kate Gallivan Kimberly Harding, Andrew Kiener, Ron Silverio CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS John Carocci ____________________________________________________

EDITORIAL & ADVERTISING/716-847-0315 FACSIMILE/716-847-0418 E-MAIL/publications@evergreenhs.org ON THE WEB/www.evergreenhs.org _________________________________________________ Copyright 2012 by Pathways, all rights reserved. Published by Evergreen Health Services, 206 South Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo, New York 14201. Pathways circulation is 5,000. Pathways is received by request by donors and supporters. Distribution is by mailing list and placement. Views expressed herein are not necessarily the views of the publisher. Publication of any person or organization in articles, advertising or listings in Pathways is not to be construed as any indication of the sexual orientation or HIV status of such person or members of such organizations. Pathways cannot acknowledge or return unsolicited manuscripts unless they are accompanied by a self-addressed stamped envelope. Pathways’ mailing list is never shared. Pathways urges readers to consult their medical practitioners about any therapies or treatment strategies in this publication. To be put on the Pathways mailing list call 847-0340 or email jcarocci@ evergreenhs.org.

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inside this issue From the Editor / 1 Evergreen Health Services Takes Root / 2 A Place at the Table / 4 The CGI Program Makes a Difference / 8 AIDS Walk 2012 Preview / 9 AIDS Walk Registration Form / 10 Spotlight on Christopher Reybrouck / 12 Miss Piggy on the Evergreen Scene / 14 Time to Grow / 16 Dining Out for Life Preview / 18 Mending of the Hearts: Sally's Story / 20

ON THE COVER

AIDS Community Services is now Evergreen Health Services!

more than words HAVE

“these six little words have always kept us focused on our mission” it your way. It's the real thing. Just do it. Companies have used slogans like these to sell their products for almost as long as they’ve had products to sell, and a perfect slogan is the Holy Grail for advertising agencies and marketing departments all over the world. But perfection doesn’t come easily. An effective slogan must be simple, memorable and relevant to the target audience. It must accurately represent the product being sold in order to be effective over the long term. It has to be more than words (and, as with many things in life, having a bit of luck doesn’t hurt). We’ve always been very proud of our slogan: “help for today, hope for tomorrow.” Make no mistake, these are powerful words. Throughout our nearly 30 year history, as we’ve continually grown and adapted to the ever-changing challenges of the AIDS pandemic, these six little words have kept us focused on our mission. Now our agency stands poised to evolve yet again, changing from AIDS Community Services to Evergreen Health Services (see full story on page 2) and expanding our focus beyond HIV and AIDS. It's clear that today’s Evergreen Health Services is a vastly different organization than the Buffalo AIDS Task Force of 1983, but we still provide help for today and hope for tomorrow. As long as there's a need for our services, we always will.

Now for some housekeeping. You might have received a postcard a while back announcing that Pathways was switching to an online-only publication format. At the time, it seemed like a great way to embrace new communication technology (and save some money), but we quickly learned that online-only communication wasn't enough to keep our clients, volunteers and supporters informed about everything going on at Evergreen Health Services. So from now on, Pathways will publish twice a year - Spring and Fall - and those print issues will be supplemented by online updates throughout year. If you'd like to be notified via e-mail when online updates are published (or if you'd like to be added to our print mailing list), e-mail me at jcarocci@evergreenhs.org. You can also join our Facebook group (Pathways Magazine) or check out our agency website at evergreenhs.org for links to online issues and other agency news.

by Kate Gallivan, Kimberly Harding and Andrew Kiener

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We've known for many years that our work involves much more than HIV or AIDS...

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IDS Community Services of Western New York is now Evergreen Health Services! In the ever changing worlds of health care and human services, AIDS Community Services again finds itself on the crest of a new wave of innovation that has resulted in the decision to change our name. Those who have been in our circle of friends since our early days know that this is our fourth name change. Founded as the Buffalo AIDS Task Force in 1983, this pioneering volunteer army soon changed its name to Western New York AIDS Program to reflect its role as the regional AIDS service provider. In 1990 we adopted our new name, AIDS Community Services of Western New York, Inc., and our logo, the evergreen tree.

Our name change to AIDS Community Services (ACS) was part of a new strategic plan with the goal of solidifying our role as the lead AIDS service organization in the region. Back then, effective treatments were on the horizon but we were still losing many of our family, friends and colleagues because of AIDS. ACS grew and diversified its prevention and support services and by the mid-1990’s opened a satellite office in Jamestown. In 1995 — just as combination therapies or “cocktails” became available — the agency added a new primary care facility, Evergreen Health Services. Our world was forever changed as people with HIV survived and thrived. Our caseloads increased and we saw more and more people for whom HIV was just one of many challenges they faced.

At the same time, because there were more people living with HIV, there was more HIV in the community. As is still true today, many people didn’t know they were HIV positive and thus, HIV continued to spread in spite of cutting edge, targeted prevention campaigns. In 2003, rapid HIV testing became available. The two week wait for results narrowed to 20 minutes and we immediately changed our approach to prevention educa-

tion by conducting rapid tests with 200 people each month. Not far from us in downtown Buffalo, Project Reach was effectively serving more than 5,000 people in its syringe exchange program (in 2007, Project Reach joined ACS). These programs provided opportunities to offer personalized risk reduction education to those at highest risk for HIV. By offering these services we met literally thousands of new people challenged by other chronic diseases, as well as discrimination, addiction and poverty.

Nearing its third decade of service, AIDS Community Services has grown to more than 100 staff and is now part of a family of agencies that includes Alianza Latina and The Pride Center of Western New York under the umbrella organization, the Evergreen Association. Working side by side, these agencies comprise one of the most comprehensive service organizations in the nation that includes housing, nutrition care, a Wellness Center, and a pharmacy.

Each of these milestones in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and in our history has led to our decision to change the name of AIDS Community Services to Evergreen Health Services.

It is no coincidence that our name change is happening against the backdrop of New York State and the country’s health care reform movement to streamline care for people with chronic medical conditions. While the need for affordable health care has grown, the funding for HIV/AIDS– specific care has diminished. Fortunately, we have developed a management model that allows us to effectively treat people with chronic medical conditions as well as serve those affected by HIV/AIDS. Our name change to Evergreen Health Services reflects the expansion of our mission to offer care to even more people in our community while continuing our specialty in HIV/AIDS care.

We've known for many years that our work involves much more than HIV or AIDS. As HIV and other sexually-related infections have responded successfully to effective treatments, Evergreen

Health Services has developed a wide range of lifeenhancing programs to support people in leading healthy, secure and satisfying lives as members of our Western New York community. This year our prevention and harm reduction programs are expanding to include screening for sexually transmitted infections and Hepatitis C. For the people who currently access our medical services, syringe exchange program, pharmacy, Wellness Center and food pantry services, our name change reflects our commitment to serving anyone in our community regardless of their HIV status.

In 1990 the decision to use the evergreen tree as our logo was inspired by the words of author Gilbert Maxwell who wrote, “There are trees that seem to die at the end of winter; then there are the evergreens.” The image and symbolism of the evergreen – strong and hearty in the face of adversity – continues to reflect our vision today: to remain resilient amidst the challenges of a constantly changing health and human services environment.

Although these are challenging times, ACS – now Evergreen Health Services – is poised to join the other leading organizations in the nation to take the next steps toward quality, accessible and affordable health care for all.

What’s In a Name?

Some of the most well-known companies in existence today were originated under very different names. Did you know that Google was originally called Backrub, Pepsi was Brad’s Drink and Blue Ribbon Sports became Nike? These brands successfully changed their names for a variety of reasons. To this end, AIDS Community Services has chosen to adopt a new name that will better reflect the broader scope of services we have available to our consumers. Our agency is proud to announce that we are operating under the name Evergreen Health Services. Our medical practice is now known as the Evergreen Medical Group, while our new pharmacy will continue to operate as the P Pharmacy at Evergreen.

The Nutrition Services Program Profile by John Carocci

by offering different approaches to getting and eating healthier food, the program supports people in reaching the ultimate goal of monitoring their own nutrition related needs... n January, Evergreen Health Services opened our teaching/demonstration kitchen – the newest component of the agency's comprehensive Nutrition Services Program. A generous grant from the MAC AIDS Fund allowed us to construct a fully equipped, spacious kitchen to be used for interactive cooking classes with staff nutritionist, Sarah Mutch. A registered dietitian, Sarah is committed to providing learning opportunities for people living with HIV on topics such as food safety, shopping on a budget, menu planning, cooking basics, and tips for healthy eating when you’re not feeling well.

Workshops combine lectures with hands-on demonstrations, and participants are then given the ingredients, tools and information needed to prepare the recipes at home.

Evergreen Health Services has long recognized the importance of proper nutrition in the lives of people living with HIV. Dietary deficiencies can weaken the immune system, skin and lungs — the body’s first lines of defense against infection. A healthy, balanced diet makes it easier

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for people with HIV to fight infections, stay healthy longer, and can even mitigate the impact of side effects from certain medications.

Many people living with HIV face multiple barriers in getting their nutritional needs met. For example, some medications require a rigid meal schedule or restricted diet. They can also reduce appetite, change the taste of foods (making them less appealing) or even inhibit the body’s ability to absorb certain nutrients. Physical symptoms such as nausea, diarrhea, vomiting, or mouth sores can make eating difficult. Emotional factors such as isolation and depression can reduce a person's motivation to regularly prepare and eat healthy meals. On top of all these obstacles, some people simply cannot afford to purchase the fresh foods necessary to prepare healthy meals.

The Nutrition Services Program's new cooking classes round out the multi-faceted approach to nutrition education and support that includes a daily lunch program, home delivered meals or groceries, supermarket vouchers, and a food pantry supplied by the Food Bank of Western New

York. Once a month a refrigerated truck from the Food Bank called Food Express distributes meat, milk, cheese, yogurt, bread, and produce to the public in the parking lot of the Evergreen Center.

Last summer clients in our Wellness Center worked side by side with agency staff to tend a Community Vegetable Garden which yielded ingredients for soups, sides and salsas. The new demonstration kitchen will provide the perfect setting for learning to prepare healthy and delicious dishes from this year’s garden bounty.

More than 120 people living with HIV participate in the Nutrition Services Program at Evergreen Health Services. Each is assessed by our Registered Dietitian Sarah Mutch, who determines nutrition-related needs and works with the client to develop a plan. By offering different approaches to getting and eating healthier food, the program supports people in reaching the ultimate goal of monitoring their own nutrition related needs. Staff and volunteers keep close track of each person’s progress and work with them individually to make sure they’re getting the most

(continued from previous page) from the program.

One of our great success stories is Marvin (not his real name), a long-time client who has successfully moved through the various nutrition service levels as his overall health and self-sufficiency improved. At one point Marvin's health was so poor, he was unable to prepare his own meals or leave home to shop for his own food. He began to receive home delivered meals through Meals on Wheels. Marvin’s lab results improved; he gained weight and his overall health stabilized.

He began to attend nutrition workshops at the Evergreen Center and worked hard to meet all of the program requirements. Marvin is now successfully monitoring his own nutritional needs and his overall health and self-esteem have improved greatly.

Clients also benefit from the individual attention the program provides. Sarah tells of a client who was scheduled to undergo LAP band surgery. She weighed 425 pounds, and was suffering from a variety of chronic health conditions including diabetes and high blood pressure. Sarah worked one on one with her for a year before the surgery, teaching her the importance of proper nutrition and helping her change her eating habits. She has already lost over 100 pounds, and is continuing to lose weight at a sensible rate. She attends nutrition workshops and even helps other clients who are struggling to reach their own weight loss goals. Best of all, her chronic health conditions are in much better control, and she's living a much healthier life than before.

The success of our Nutrition Services Program has not gone unnoticed. Staff from our program have been invited to speak at the U.S. Conference on AIDS, an international conference for service providers, doctors, nurses, dietitians and HIV+ individuals. At the conference our staff proudly noted that while Evergreen Health Services’ nutrition program may not rank among the largest, our multi-faceted program is the most comprehensive of any AIDS service provider in the country. Our emphasis on self-sufficiency sets us apart by giving clients the tools, knowledge and skills they need to be independent and healthy.

As Evergreen Health Services moves beyond HIV and begins to serve people with a variety of other chronic health conditions, the goal of our Nutrition Services Program will remain the same: to support people in being as healthy as possible, P for as long as possible.

Photos: Previous Page: planting the Community Vegetable Garden This Page, Top: the Community Vegetable Garden This Page, Middle: reaping the Garden's bounty This Page, Bottom: the new Demonstration Kitchen

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ne step at a time." That's what I tell myself when I'm faced with a challenge.

"Don't think about the size of the task or how long it will take to complete. Just take it one step at a time."

Now, a single step might not seem like a lot.

We take thousands of them every day without even realizing. But put those steps together, and combine them with the steps of hundreds of other Western New Yorkers, and suddenly you have a community-wide event that raises awareness and much needed financial support for the fight against HIV and AIDS. Suddenly you have AIDS Walk.

AIDS Walk has been bringing the Western

New York community together to support those living with HIV/AIDS, and to honor those we've lost, for close to two decades. The 2012 Walk will feature many of the elements that have made past Walks so special: a pleasant route through one of Buffalo's most historic and scenic neighborhoods, the moving flower toss that kicks off the Walk, and a full array of great prizes and incentives for top fundraisers. There will be some surprises, as well, so you'll definitely want to be Lakeside at Delaware Park on May 19. Getting started is easy. You can register online to walk as an individual or as part of an existing team. You can even get a few friends and family members together and start your own team!

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The online tools make it easy to spread the word and collect pledges, putting you on the path to some great prizes. (Note: see page 12 for helpful fundraising tips from Christopher Reybrouck, last year's top fundraiser and this year's AIDS Walk Chair!) Or use the paper registration form on the next page to collect pledges - just be sure to bring everything with you on the 19th to be eligible for prizes. So let's recap: AIDS Walk 2012, May 19, 2012, Lakeside at Delaware Park. Registration begins at 9:00 a.m., the Walk kicks off at 10:00 a.m., and there will be a free picnic lunch after the Walk.

Take that first step... register for AIDS Walk 2012, P and we'll see you Lakeside on May 19!

TO REGISTER VISIT WWW.AIDSWALKBUFFALO.KINTERA.ORG OR USE THE REGISTRATION FORM ON THE NEXT PAGE

Walk With Us on May 19! pathways

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You can make a difference by joining hundreds of other Western New Yorkers taking part in the annual AIDS Walk on May 19, 2012. The funds you raise will help support critical programs and services our clients depend on, including medical care, home delivered meals, counseling and so much more. Every step taken, every dollar raised helps fight AIDS and raises community awareness of this deadly disease. Raise money by asking friends, relatives, classmates, co-workers and neighbors to sponsor you. Use this registration form to chart the donations you collect. You can walk solo or even organize a team!

The Walk website has tools to help you manage your team and collect pledges online... it’s fun and easy! Visit www.aidswalkbuffalo.kintera.org to get started.

On the day of the Walk plan on arriving at Lakeside at Delaware Park at 9:00 a.m. Bring this completed form and your pledges with you. Once you have turned in your pledges, relax and get ready for the Walk, which kicks off promptly at 10:00 a.m. The Walk route will take you through some of Buffalo’s most beautiful neighborhoods, and after the Walk there will be a free picnic-style party as our way of thanking you for your efforts. In addition, great prizes will be awarded to the top teams and individuals who raise the most money. The Walk is a rain or shine event. We welcome your questions, comments and concerns! Please visit the Walk website at www.aidswalkbuffalo.kintera.org for more information, or call us at 716-847-0340.

May 19, 2012 at Hoyt Lake in Delaware Park Registration at 9:00 a.m., Walk Step-Off at 10:00 a.m.

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was standing in the lobby of the Statler Towers on a gray November afternoon, alone where only moments before a small army of AIDS Community Services staff and volunteers had been hard at work setting up for the final Cause for Celebration. It wouldn't be long before throngs of party-goers arrived to enjoy the evening, but for now everything was calm and quiet and still. It didn't last, of course.

Signs of life began to reappear and the spell was broken. Trucks arrived loaded with dessert deliveries: exquisite pastries, tarts, pies, and luscious cakes. Thousands of twinkling lights were turned on, candles were lit, the band warmed up, and the building itself seemed to hold its breath as we prepared to open the doors and welcome guests to Cause for Celebration one last time.

That grey November afternoon was almost five years ago, but the memory is as clear and sharp as if it happened yesterday. I felt like I was witnessing the end of an era, and in a way, I was.

Cause for Celebration was one of Buffalo's most popular winter social events for close to two decades, and standing there in the Statler lobby waiting for guests to arrive my mood was definitely bittersweet. There were a lot of great memories crammed into those Cause for Celebration years, memories of friends old and new, of dancing, laughing, of pieces of dessert snatched on the sly, and who could forget the year the coat racks collapsed like a row of giant

fur-covered dominos? I knew I was going to miss Cause for Celebration.

Well, it turns out I wasn't the only one.

Agency fundraising staff quickly grew used to hearing "so when is Cause for Celebration coming back?" from people in the community, and now, after a five year hiatus, we've decided it's time to bring Cause back to Buffalo!

The legend returns in grand style (of course), bringing the glitz and glamour of old Las Vegas to the Connecticut Street Armory on November 19, 2011 from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. We'll have all the things that made Cause for Celebration so special for so long: music, dancing, tables covered with desserts prepared by the area's finest bakeries and restaurants, live entertainment, casino style gaming, a silent art auction and cash bar. There will also be a few surprises that you'll just have to see to believe, including the first ever Vegas Wedding Chapel performing real, honest to gosh weddings (if you've already tied the knot, you can renew your vows)! We'll take care of the details for the ceremony. Invite your friends and family to share your special event, and we'll provide the built-in reception that will knock their socks off!

Simply ask them to make their wedding gift in your honor to AIDS Community Services.

There's a saying "the more things change the more they stay the same." The details may change from year to year, but Cause for

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Celebration will always be about people from all over Western New York coming together to celebrate how far we've come in the fight against AIDS, to remember those we've lost, to cherish those who are still with us, and to renew our commitment to ending this deadly pandemic once and for all. Cause for Celebration 2011 will be a trip down memory lane for some, and an exciting new experience for others. But whether you’re a friend old or new, you won’t want to miss this very special evening... the beginning of a whole new era of Cause for Celebration in Buffalo. I’ll meet you by the desserts!

P Note: we spend a lot of time talking up all the fun, glamorous aspects of Cause for Celebration, but it plays a very serious role for our agency as well, raising much-needed funds (more than $1 million since 1989) to help support the programs and services our clients and their families depend on every day. As the needs of the communities we serve grow, and resources remain steady or even shrink, events like Cause for Celebration become even more important in our fight against HIV and AIDS in Western New York. We hope you and your friends will join us on November 19 at the Connecticut Street Armory from 8:00 p.m. until midnight. If you'd like to participate in the Vegas Wedding Chapel please contact our office at 716-847-0340 for details or to register.

— Story by John Carocci

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Talking the Talk and Walking the Walk

Saturday, May 19, 2012 Lakeside at Delaware Park Registration Begins at 9 a.m.

Walk Steps Off at 10 a.m.

The Evergreen Association presented its 2012 Volunteer Services Award to Christopher Reybrouck, who, over the course of a few short years, has become one of the agency's most dedicated and dependable volunteers. After moving to Buffalo in May of 2008, Christopher didn't waste any time getting involved, walking in his first AIDS Walk just days after unloading the moving van.

Christopher has walked in every AIDS Walk since, and in 2011 he was the top individual fundraiser.

He is also making his mark behind the scenes, serving on the Cause for Celebration 2011 Planning Committee, and he is Chair of the AIDS Walk 2012 Committee. Whew!

Of course, making a difference in the community is nothing new to Christopher. As a student at SUNY Fredonia, he was active in S.T.E.P.S. (Students Teaching Equals Positive Sexuality), a group of peer educators who taught others in the community (on and off campus) about issues such as HIV/AIDS, STDs, homophobia, relationships and more. Christopher was elected President of the organization, and in a preview of things to come he helped plan Chautauqua County's first ever AIDS Walk in 2007, a 3.1 mile walk through downtown Fredonia.

"That was such a special day," Christopher recalls. It was a real milestone for the community.

Despite the cold, blowing snow we had 280 walkers, and we raised over $7,000."

Christopher was also active in F.L.Y.E.R. (Finger Lakes Youth Encouraging Responsibility), a group that trained high school students throughout the Finger Lakes area to collaborate with health instructors and help to teach their fellow students about HIV/AIDS and safe sex.

We're incredibly grateful that Christopher has brought his experience and focused his efforts on making AIDS Walk 2012 the biggest and best yet.

Pathways asked him to share some of his proven fundraising tips with readers, and he told us that the personal connection is key, both before and after the Walk.

"One of the biggest things is to follow-up with your donors," Christopher said. "The technology makes it easy; people visit your fundraising page, leave a donation, and get an automated reply. Two years ago, I wrote thank-you notes after the Walk to all of my donors to let them know how the day went. It was great to share the success and thank them for making a difference. I even included a picture of me on the Walk!"

Christopher says that a bit of organization goes a long way. "I save the names and addresses of my donors, and I e-mail, mail, or call each previous donor and ask if they would be willing to raise their

donation by just $5."

Genuine commitment to the cause pays off, as well. "Personal contact, along with a meaningful, heartfelt message, will lead to success in your fundraising efforts."

So what does Christopher get out of the experience?

"We forget to be thankful for the community we live in sometimes," he says. "We need to come together to support each other. For me, the number of HIV/AIDS positive people in Western New York is staggering, and it will continue to grow unless we as a community support such amazing organizations as Evergreen Health Services to raise awareness to those who are blindsided by this disease, and offer treatment to those affected so that they can educate others. This organization is truly special and I wish more people knew the amount of outreach and prevention that occurs and how much the continuation of these programs and services depend on fundraising dollars."

So on those rare occasions when Christopher isn't being Evergreen Health Services' Number One Cheerleader or writing thank you notes to AIDS Walk donors, what does he like to do?

"After I moved to Buffalo, I earned my master's degree in Student Affairs Administration from the University at Buffalo and since graduation have worked at Campus Labs, a company that works with over 700 colleges and universities around the United States and Canada to focus and collaborate on assessment and students' co-curricular experiences using our technology platforms. It's a very rewarding job and I love what I do. I'm also on the Board of Directors and the treasurer for the Buffalo Gay Men's Chorus. I've been a singing member with the chorus for two years and love every minute of it. I'm proud member of the Unitarian Universalist Church of Buffalo as well. In my spare time, I love to spend time with my family and friends, my wonderful partner and our dog. I consider myself a WNY Foodie and love to experience all of the wonderful eateries and culinary treasures of Buffalo as well as to cook at home."

Whew again! So is there anything else you want to say, Christopher?

"I believe we have the most caring, accepting, and gracious community. We truly are a city of good neighbors, and that is apparent every year during our AIDS Walk, as hundreds come out to support such an important cause. We are givers; givers of time, talent, resources (both monetary and not), and love. The people I have met, the volunteer experiences I have had, and the life that I live here in Buffalo has truly made me a better person and for that, I will continue to give back as much as I can to this beautiful city. I hope to walk for many years to come, and the Buffalo AIDS Walk will be the annual walk in which I use all my fundraising P tricks and effort, every year."

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MISS PIGGY on the evergreen scene

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We're not sure if she's a Pathways reader, but lately Miss Piggy has been showing up at Evergreen Health Services events on a regular basis. Naturally, having a Hollywood legend in attendance can create a commotion, but Miss Piggy has been unfailingly gracious, posing for photographs with a seemingly endless stream of fans. Here are some shots of Miss Piggy and her new friends taken at the return of Cause for Celebration at the Connecticut Street Armory, and Alianza Latina's Celebrate You event marking National Women and Girls HIV Awareness Day. Despite her high profile, Miss Piggy is a very private person, and she declined to comment on where she'll show up next... it could be the table next to yours at Dining Out for Life! (Editor's Note: if you do see her at Dining Out for Life, whisper when you order the pork) Photos by John Carocci

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Another Renovation in the Works The Evergreen Association is once again expanding its footprint in Buffalo’s West Village, with the purchase of the former Prospect Avenue Baptist Church. The church's beautiful main space (left) will provide much-needed meeting and conference space for up to 450 people, and its parking lot will nearly double the agency’s parking capacity, allowing us to end expensive contracts with area parking services. The Pride Center will be working with a variety of community partners to study converting the oldest section of the church complex, built in the 1850s, into safe, affordable housing for LGBT youth. The project may sound ambitious, but this isn't the Association's first time at the renovation rodeo — our award-winning renovation of the Victorian at 200 South Elmwood Avenue not only rescued the abandoned property from the wrecker’s ball, but transformed the former private residence into one of downtown’s most attractive office spaces. Watch for updates on the progress of this exciting project in future issues of Pathways!

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Photo: Mythos on Elmwood Avenue

One of Evergreen Health Services' most popular – and successful – fundraisers marks its tenth anniversary as Dining Out for Life returns to Buffalo on April 24. If you want to be a part of this great event, all you have to do is go out to lunch or dinner at a participating restaurant on Tuesday, April 24, 2012, and they will donate a minimum of 25% of your food bill to Evergreen Health Services. That's it. No small print, no registration fees, no pledges to collect, no dishes to wash. Just eat. One of the reasons Dining Out for Life is so popular is that everyone wins. Diners enjoy a delicious meal, and restaurants get to show

off their menu to new customers who just might become regulars. Evergreen Health Services clients and their families win too, as funds raised on April 24 will support the vast array of programs and services they depend on every day. Dining Out for Life is actually an international organization, and the event is held in 50+ cities around the world each year, but all money raised in Western New York stays right here in our community. Buffalo is a food town, so it's no surprise that our community has really embraced the event.

This year's chairs are Tom and Donna Lombardo, who are working hard to make sure Buffalo's Dining

Out for Life continues to grow. With participating restaurants in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties, there will be choices for nearly any location, palate or budget. For an up to date list of participating restaurants, visit diningoutforlife.com.

Please note: participating restaurants will often be much busier than normal, so reservations are highly recommended. Call today to reserve your place at the table, and join Evergreen Health Services – and our generous restaurant community – in the fight against HIV and AIDS here in Western New York. Oh, and be sure to save room for dessert!

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Non-Profit Org. SPRING 2012

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