STAP Fall Newsletter

positive focusServing Broome, Chemung, Chenango, Cortland, Delaware, Otsego, Tioga & Tompkins Counties

Fall 2012 www.stapinc.org

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Paul Rushanski President Jamie Cornell Vice President Michael Grasso Treasurer Ralph Klotzbaugh Secretary Jerry Halbert Member-at-Large Joyce Allen Larry Bailey Anthony Fiala, Jr. Angelo Fiori Kristen Harding Nancy McGowan Pamela Mischen Jason Pickart Chris Waters Melissa Klinko

ADMINISTRATION

John Barry Executive Director Michelle McElroy Director of Programs Mary Kaminsky Director of Development Julie Kerr Director of Finance Joseph Caminiti Director of Information Systems Jackie Centerwall Director of Operations Candace Phelan Volunteer Coordinator Cynthia Rotella Events Coordinator Anne Baron Fiscal Assistant Ginny Miller Program Assistant Glenda Oliver Receptionist Katrina Roehrig Human Resources Administrator Jeffrey Pryor Prison Reentry Coordinator

CLIENT SERVICES

Stacy Nickerson Client Services | Medical Advocacy Coordinator Jean Wilson Assistant Director of Client Services Andrea Pinney Housing Coordinator Michael Leahey Housing Specialist Jennifer McKenzie Housing Specialist Autumn Cook Medical Advocate Kristina Hagen Client Services Data Specialist Gry Bente-Johansen Case Manager Chemung Elke Meyer Case Manager Chemung Michele Rosplock Case Manager Tech Chemung Alisa Reynolds Case Manager Broome Lisa Moore Case Manager Broome Elizabeth McDonald Case Manager Broome Cassandra Aikman Case Manager Tompkins Beth Pittman Case Manager Tech Timothy Giordani Case Manager Tech Eric Krohn Nutrition Educator

PREVENTION SERVICES

Cathy Sostre Assistant Director of Prevention Services Joe Barnett Assistant Director of Prevention Services Terri Shields Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Hanna Weiss Substance Use Outreach Coordinator Paige Walker LGBT Program Coordinator Jeff Dunlap LGBT Youth Educator Kernalia Andrews Women’s Outreach Coordinator Claudia Miller Women’s Services Educator Simone Cornelius Women’s Services Data Assistant Lillian Fan Harm Reduction Coordinator Thomas Womelsdorf Harm Reduction Specialist Katie Johnson Harm Reduction Specialist Jesse Natishak Harm Reduction Technician Laura Katz Harm Reduction Technician Bryan Cook Criminal Justice Prevention Specialist Stephen Gleason Mpowerment Specialist Noah Cooper Mpowerment Specialist Eric Kovatchitch Testing & Referral Specialist

A LETTER FROM

the executive director

Trying to defy both my age and any sort of common sense, I

strained something I needed to ride by pushing around

wheelbarrows of rocks and building rock walls. This put a

serious crimp in my training and sidelined me for this year.

Aging is required. Becoming smarter, not so much.

I am healing and will ride next year. The good news is that this

afforded me the opportunity to work as a volunteer on this

year’s ride. I am not going to lie to you, it was serious work and

I loved it. I drove bikes from Stewart Park to Seneca Falls,

chased down lost riders, helped keep the condiment table

clean at dinner and squeezed in a few Executive Director duties

here and there. The amazing thing was as I viewed the ride

through this volunteer lens, I realized anew how many people

volunteer to make the ride as great an experience as it is for

the riders and how hard they work. As I rode up and down the

lake I saw my fellow volunteers everywhere, at the pit stops, on

motorcycles, giving massages, directing riders on the route,

performing (The Burns Sisters were awesome) and repairing

flats.

I found out later when I shared my enhanced appreciation for

our ride day volunteers with our incredible volunteer

coordinator, Candace Phelan, that over 300 people gave their

time to make the event successful. Given that about 380 riders

were on the road, that means there is at least one volunteer for

every two riders. No wonder I always feel so spoiled and catered

to when riding. Without taking anything away from the staff

and the Ride Committee who organize the AIDS Ride for Life,

this level of community support assures that every rider feels

like a king of the road for at least one day.

I also had the chance throughout the day to speak with

volunteers about their experience. Every single one of them

told me what a great time they were having and that they would

be back next year. We believe in having fun here at STAP while

doing good work.

Please join us next September 7th for the ride. Whether as a

rider or volunteer, we would love to see you there. And if you

want to volunteer sooner feel free to call Candace. She will find

something fun for you to do, I promise.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. We truly could not do

it without you.

—John Barry, Exective Director

SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM

122 Baldwin Street

Johnson City, New York 13790

I WAS NOT ABLE TO RIDE IN THE AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE THIS YEAR

SOUTHERN TIER AIDS PROGRAM

Hotline (800) 333-0892

Phone (607) 798-1706

2 | positive focus www.stapinc.org | 3

2012 AIDS ride for life

We are now on the other side of the 2012 AIDS Ride For Life.

It’s almost surreal. Yet the excitement is still in the air in the

aftermath at the Ithaca office as we store gear, take inventory

and count the thousands of dollars in donations that resulted

from the Ride. We cannot seem to stop talking about the nearly

400 registered Riders, the $235,000 and counting raised, the

300+ volunteers who marshaled, decorated, fed and cheered

our Riders as they crossed the finished line at Cass Park. How

do you begin to thank the nearly 800 people who participated

in large and small and very great ways to make this year such

a success?

Thank you so very much to our wonderful, dedicated Hero

Riders, who went the distance. YOU made this all happen.

Thank you to our many Hero Sponsors who didn’t bat an eye

when they wrote a check to help pay Ride expenses.

Thank you to our wonderful, cheerful hard working volunteers

who were located all around Cayuga Lake.

Thank you to our Hero Founders, Jerry Dietz & Russ Traunstein,

who had the foresight to see the need 14 years ago.

Thank you to our fabulous ARFL dedicated committee Heroes—

Adam Brumberg, Patty Clark, Autumn Cook, Emily Cowen

and Randi Quackenbush for their unwavering enthusiasm and

commitment.

And thank you to the ARFL staff Heroes—Lindsey Hadlock,

Ride Assistant and Ginny Miller, dedicated STAP Program

Assistant and Pit Stop Coordinator for their absolute,

unwavering focus and dedication to the mission of the

Ride.

It certainly takes a village.

— Cindy Rotella, Very Proud Ride Coordinator


recent events

“NEVER DOUBT THAT A SMALL GROUP OF COMMITTED CITIZENS CAN CHANGE THE WORLD”

—MARGARET MEAD

235,000DOLLARS RAISED (AND COUNTING!)

800WONDERFULLY AWESOME PARTICIPANTS

400ASTOUNDINGLY BRAVE REGISTERED RIDERS

300PLUS AMAZINGLY DEDICATED VOLUNTEERS

thankyou

After three years of rain, we decided to move the Doggone Fun

on the Run to the Dog Days of Summer. This year’s event took

place on July 21st. It was a beautiful sunny day and hundreds of

supporters came out to partake in the fun. We added some new

features this year: a misting station to keep everyone cool and

ice cream from Jones Humdinger.

Of course, back by popular demand, was Musical Mats, Doggie

DaVinci’s, Myrph’s Dog Training, Officer Pam Kilpatrick with

the NYS DEC, Outback Steakhouse, Frito-Lay and Starbucks.

Both Remlik’s Grille & Oyster Bar and Amici’s Pub & Pizzeria

provided treats for our canine friends. Thanks to the support of

our community we raised a record-breaking $18,000!

One hundred percent of the funds raised goes to support the

PAWS (Pets are Wonderful Support) Program at STAP. The PAWS

program offers HIV+ people practical support in an effort to

keep the love and companionship of their pets.

PRESENTING SPONSOR | PETCO FOUNDATION

EXCELLUS BCBS

UHS

VISIONS

AMICI’S PUB & PIZZERIA

PRICE CHOPPER

OUTBACK STEAKHOUSE

STARBUCKS

FRITO-LAY

NYS DEC

MYRPH’S DOG TRAINING

THE MAGIC PAINTBRUSH PROJECT

REMLIK’S GRILLE & OYSTER BAR

WBNG TV

Q106.7

S.P.E.A.K. ANIMAL HOSPITAL (SPECIAL THANKS TO DR. MINDY)

PASTOR JOYCE ALLEN

JONES HUMDINGER

sponsorsTHE 10TH ANNUAL

doggone fun runLastly, some advice from our furry friends:

Follow your instincts. Avoid biting when a growl will do. Enjoy

the simple pleasures of a walk. Be loyal, faithful and quick to

forgive. Sometimes it is best to just sit close and listen. Keep

digging until you find what you want. Accept all of life’s treats

with gratitude. Life is short, pet often. Ran and play daily. And

love unconditionally.

ON THE


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On August 26th, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, located at 126½ Henry

Street, held a benefit for the AIDS Ride for Life, Binghamton’s

First, dare I say not last, Tea Dance.

Tea Dances began at the legendary waterfront landmark,

The Boatslip Resort in Provincetown, MA. Back in the 60s,

the Boatslip was owned by a British gentleman, named Peter

Ryder. He wanted to create a daily party and decided that

since everyone else was open at night, and since there was

really no competition in the afternoons, and he already had a

good following at the pool and beach bars, that he would start a

dance party, at British tea time, and call it Tea Dance. The idea

caught on, and now tea dances are held nationwide, mainly in

beach resort towns.

Special thanks to Amici owner Dan DiRienzo with manager

Shane Rosenthal & staff, Michael Libous and Tony Fiala, who

worked tirelessly to create Binghamton’s biggest outdoor dance

party. There was a wide variety of dance music from today’s

hits, to the solid gold songs from the 70’s and 80’s, a signature

drink, photo booth and plenty of good friends.

Good times, good friends, great food and breaking out the

dance moves resulted in $2,200 to support the AIDS Ride for

Life. Thank you, Amici Pub & Pizzeria, we truly appreciate your

support!

Only with the generous sponsorship of Remlik’s Grille &

Oyster Bar, STAP was able to bring Miss Richfield 1981 back to

Binghamton on September 23rd to perform her latest show,

“2012: We’ll All be Dead by Christmas.” Miss Richfield 1981

(played by Russ King) created her show based on the apocalypse

predicted by the Mayan calendar, which states life will cease on

December 21st.

The show began with the fabulous singer and celebrity illusionist,

Lee Byar. Lee delighted the crowd with his performance of Judy

Garland’s rendition of “Smile”. Then Miss Richfield 1981 began

her one hour show dressed as a cactus. The audience was in

stiches from beginning to end.

You never knew who she would pick out of the audience to

interview or assist her, which left everyone squirming in

their seats. She had the audience singing along to their own

predicted demise and left us informed on what to wear and

how to prepare for The Rapture. Her show was followed by a

fabulous after-party at Remlik’s.

We are delighted to tell you that Remlik’s has generously, once

again, offered to sponsor Miss Richfield 1981 so she will be back

in 2013. We can’t wait!

2012 tea dance Miss richfield 1981


Hello to all of our friends, supporters, and community members!

As you may remember, it is nearly that time of year for the

annual Client Holiday Dinner. This event is held every Fall just

before Thanksgiving, and involves clients from our entire eight

county service region.

This event takes weeks of planning and preparation, as it is

done by STAP staff members for STAP clients. As part of this

endeavor, agency employees and volunteers donate items and

their time to make and serve a “traditional” holiday meal. This

meal is an opportunity for clients to bring their families and

come together as a large group. Many clients only see each

other at this annual event, and are able to reconnect with one

another and share their stories from over the past year.

In addition, many clients receive door prizes and food

baskets, which they can take home and use to remember this

heartwarming event or prepare their own holiday dinners.

Holiday dinner


giving

We took on the challenge to raise money and supplies for the

month of September from our church, First Congregational

Church, corner of Front and Main streets in Binghamton, the

one where the bell is. Now we would like to challenge all of

you to come check us out.

We raised $275 for Robbie’s Pantry, along with supplies from

the congregation. We are a United Church of Christ church,

LGBT affirming, we have open doors, open minds, and no

matter who you are or where you are on life’s journey, you’re

welcome here. Worship services begin at 10 am. We also offer

a lot of other activities, such as every Monday from 6 to 8 pm,

Heart Centered Living meets. Explore, Share & Experience

different avenues of spiritual expression. Discover ways to heal

yourself, help the planet & expand our vision of community

together. www.heart-centered-living.org or stopping in for food

at our CHOW pantry. It is our goal to be a place the community

can call home.

Visit us online at www.uccbinghamton.org

A MESSAGE FROM

FIrst Congregational church

HOW TO GIVE

If you would be interested in making a

donation of door prizes (new or used in good

working order), financial support, o

r non-

perishable holiday foods, please contact Mary

Kaminsky at:

[email protected]

(607) 798-1706 ext. 229


thanks

remembering kellieWe told her about our PAWS program and ever since, PETCO

has been, by far, the program’s greatest asset. With Kellie’s

initiative and the support of all the PETCO staff, PETCO went

from being a goodie-bag sponsor to the presenting sponsor of

the Doggone Fun on the Run. Kellie taught us our two favorite

lines— “Manager’s Choice” and “Come to the back room!”

We remember the day Kellie called and asked us to stop in,

stating that she had some items that were Manager’s Choice.

When we went over we saw the most adorable costumes you

had ever seen—fabulously detailed but they sold for about

twenty to thirty dollars each. We gave her a look that said

“cute,” but we can’t afford these and she said, “Never mind,

they are Manager’s Choice.” We filled two carts full! Our

hearts pounded a bit when the register tape began to roll

onto the floor. Then the grand total was just $19.10! Due to

this donation, the raffle table raised enough money to keep

two clients on the PAWS program for an entire year—a number

that has increased each year thanks to PETCO.

Another time she called stating she had some items for us.

“Come to the back room.” It was like Christmas! Dog food, cat

food, toys, all sorts of items for our clients to have for their

pets and all for free.

PETCO and the PETCO Foundation have been instrumental in

expanding our PAWS program. Kellie was a huge supporter of

STAP and she became a very dear friend to us all. We were

heartbroken to hear of her passing. She was a true animal

lover and her generosity made a wonderful difference in the

lives of our clients and their pets. She will remain in our

hearts forever.

This past June, STAP lost one of our strongest supporters, Kellie

Corcoran Barbour. We first met Kellie when PETCO came to

Johnson City. The PETCO store in Elmira had been a goodie-bag

sponsor for the Doggone Fun on the Run and we were delighted

to hear they were coming to Johnson City. As soon as they were

open, we made our way over to the store and met the manager,

Kellie Corcoran.

HOW TO VOLUNTEER

If you would like to volunteer, help with our

pantry, or help at an event, please contact

Candace Phelan, Volunteer Coordinator, at:

[email protected]

(607) 798-1706 ext. 225

our VOLUNTEERs“Volunteers don’t just do the work—they make it work.” —Carol

Pettit

No truer words have been spoken. We at Southern Tier AIDS

Progra, Inc. have proof of that statement. If you participated

in our recent AIDS RIDE FOR LIFE, you would have witnessed

a wonderful, well organized and seamless day. It was due to

the magnificent people who volunteered at the committee

meetings, the days leading up to the event, the day of the

event, at the pit stops, at the parks, cheering, giving massages,

checking on the wonderful riders, etc.

On the Day of Caring, the United Way sent terrific volunteers

that painted the interior of our Johnson City office. Every day,

wonderful people make our days easier in our offices by putting

together packets of information and safety packets, answering

our telephones, as well as help get the word out about what

we do at STAP.

Thank you all so much for making our work lighter and getting

the job done.

Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc. is happy to announce that

we received a $750 grant for Robbie’s Pantry from the Ithaca

Rotary Club. With this money, we will be able to help those

living with HIV/AIDS receive toiletries that they might otherwise

go without. Thank you, Ithaca Rotary!

Southern Tier AIDS Program, Inc.122 Baldwin StreetJohnson City, NY 13790

NON-PROFIT ORG.

U.S. POSTAGE

PAIDAlbany, NY

PERMIT # 164

ZIP CODE 12205

Fall 2012

friends who care

STAP is serving more men, women, and children than ever in our nearly 30 years of providing services. Say “I care” by sending your gift today. Your generosity makes a difference!

Yes! I can help the Southern Tier AIDS Program continue to provide services for people living with HIV/AIDS and provide prevention services to help reduce the rate of HIV infection in the Southern Tier. Enclosed is my tax-deductible donation of:

❑ $25 ❑ $50 ❑ $100 ❑ $250 ❑ Other: $_________

Checks should be made payable to:STAP, 122 Baldwin St., Johnson City, NY 13790

Please charge my donation to my: ❑ Visa ❑ Mastercard

Name:___________________________________

Address:________________________ _________

______________________ __________________

CC#: _____________________ _____________

Exp. Date: _____________________ _________

Signature:_____________________ _________

STAP Fall Newsletter

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