Cambray Terrace Accepting Applications as Project Nears Completion

GOUVERNEUER – The completion of Cambray Terrace in Gouverneur will bring 71 brand new low-income housing units to a community, which according to its mayor, very much needed them.

“It’s very much needed. There’s no question about that,” Mayor Ronald McDougal, who also serves as president on the Cambray Housing Corporation Board of Directors, said. “Looking at other communities around us, it was obvious we needed public housing upgrades.”

While the Cambray Housing Corporation isn’t the sole owner of Cambray Terrace, they are together with Beacon Communities Development and several other entities partners in the $13.954 million project.

Each of the one-bedroom apartments will be made available to low-income individuals 55 and older, or people with disabilities regardless of their age, with priority given to current residents of Cambray Courts or those temporarily displaced by the construction project.

“Anyone who was a resident at Cambray Courts was given the opportunity to move into the new building,” said United Helpers Housing Assistant Carol Basford. According to Ms. Basford, roughly 45 of Cambray Court’s 63 current and temporarily displaced residents elected to accept a new apartment, leaving several vacancies in the new complex.

Anyone interested in applying for a spot at Cambray Terrace can apply in person at Cambray Courts or online at www.unitedhelpers.org.

Beacon Communities Development Director Paul Kruger said the project was funded through the sale of low-income housing tax credits provided by New York State Homes & Community Renewal, as well as soft loans from the New York State Housing Trust Fund Corporation and the Development Authority of the North Country.

Up next, he said is renovations at Cambray Courts, which remains opened with 28 units. “We’re (Beacon Communities Development) going to help the Cambray Housing Corporation with an application to secure funding for renovations to the remaining units,” he said.

Assuming work at the site is completed on schedule, Ms. Basford said tenants are slated to begin moving into their new apartments on Jan. 16.

Mr. Kruger said those apartments range in size from 620 to 630 square feet, making them slightly larger than the apartments at Cambray Courts.

Robert “Bob” Porter, of Bette & Cring, a Watertown-based construction firm, is serving as project manager. He said he’s proud of the work his firm has done on the project.

“They will go quick once people see them,” he said.

Mr. Porter also noted each of the apartments will be Energy Star Certified. “The building is pretty much air tight,” he said.

Mr. McDougal said the completion of the project will be the culmination of many years of work. “This is something the board has worked very hard on for long time,” he said, noting Judy Peck, Ron Tuttle, Dave Blevins, Scott Gillan, Ken Snyder, Dwayne Winters and Kathy Bigarel also serve on the board.

“We’re all thankful for our legislators, who wrote letters of support, and for the Cuomo administration for authorizing the work.

Cambray Terrace, 24 Mill St., sits adjacent to Cambray Courts just off of Main Street along the shores of the Oswegatchie River.

Welcome New Hires

Please welcome the following new employees to the United Helpers family.

RiverLedge

Bobbie Hitsman - RN

Maplewood

Lauren Burton - Task Aide
Haven Labar - Task Aide
Samantha Michaud - Food Service Attendant
Linda Reece - Certified Occupational Therapist

United Helpers Management Company

Michael Thomas - Maintenance II (Housing)
Scott Thomas - Maintenance II (Housing)
Gary Whitmarsh - Maintenance II (Housing)

Lisbon IRA

Jordan Russell - DSP

Flackville Road IRA

Gary Hanna - DSP

Health Home (Supportive Case Management)

Chad Kowalski - Care Manager

Canton Woman Celebrates Rehab Success

   Sue Bullock, of Canton does a range of motion exercise with Brittany
Wieszczyk, a physical therapist at Maplewood Health Care &
Rehabilitation Center in Canton. 

CANTON – Referring to herself as a “graduate,” Sue Bullock, of Canton looks back on her physical therapy experience at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center as a positive one, noting she can do things now that she couldn’t even do prior to her injury.

Ms. Bullock, who broke her shoulder in three places this past spring following a fall while going out to eat with some friends, said she didn’t even realize her shoulder was broken until the day after her fall. “I woke up in the middle of the night in so much pain, I called my daughter and had her bring me to the hospital,” she said.

X-Rays were taken and surgery was discussed, but ultimately Ms. Bullock elected to treat the injury through rest and therapy. “The doctors told me that even if I had surgery, I could still have a limited range of motion, so I opted not to do that,” she said, adding she began attending physical therapy three times per week this past May.

“The first time I came here my arm was in a sling so I couldn’t move it, but it’s not any more, and in fact, I can do things now I wasn’t able to before,” she said. “It was slow for a little while, but for the last five or six weeks of my treatment I could feel improvement every time.”

While Ms. Bullock was seeing Physical Therapist Brittany Wieszczyk three times per week, therapy wasn’t just limited to her time at Maplewood. “They gave me some great exercises that I could do at home,” she said, adding that she still continues doing the exercises at home even though her therapy concluded in October.

The need to do exercises at home is something that Ms. Wieszczyk said some people may not realize until they end up in a situation similar to Ms. Bullock’s. “Almost every patient who participates in physical therapy receives exercises customized to their diagnosis to help them succeed with rehabilitation,” she said. “I always tell my patients that a large component of how much they improve is based on what they do at home when they are not in physical therapy.”

In July Ms. Bullock’s therapy was reduced to two times per week, making the exercises at home even more important. “People only attend therapy a few times per week for an hour at most, so what they do at home is up to them,” Ms. Wieszczyk said. “Sue did an excellent job with her home exercises and we reviewed them at each session. She has made a great recovery.”

When asked to describe her therapy experience Ms. Bullock said, “It was fabulous. Everyone is so kind. After coming in just a few times, it becomes like a family,” she said. “I’ve told my doctors they should send people here.”

For further information on therapy services at our Maplewood Campus in Canton call (315) 386-4541. To reach our RiverLedge Campus in Ogdensburg, where therapy services are also offered, call (315) 393-0730. You may also visit us online at www.unitedhelpers.org or like us on Facebook.

4-Way Tie for 1st!

The Organizational Sustainability reports a 4-way tie for first place in the 2016 Organizational Electricity Reduction Contest. Tied for first are: RiverLedge Residence, High Street IRA, McIntyre IRA and Riverwood IRA all with a total of 21 points each. Currently tied for second place are: Basta's Greenhouse and the Mosaic Complex, each with 18 points. Tied for third are: Flackville IRA and Bernard Ave IRA, each with 16 points.

There are still two months left to post in the contest, so things could change between now and December 31st! For complete contest results posted to date, visit the United Helpers Intranet, click Teams & Committees and select the Sustainability Committee. Good luck to our finalists!

Maplewood Celebrates 2016's Successes

Kim McFadden and Terry Ames serve up ice cream sundaes at a recent ice cream party held to celebrate the year's accomplishments at Maplewood.

CANTON - In 2015 close to 600 days were lost to work-related injuries at Maplewood Health Care and Rehabilitation Center.

That fact was shared with people attending an ice cream party at Maplewood earlier this month by Administrator Kim McFadden. She then followed up by asking people to guess how many days have been lost to injury in the building this year.

"This year we have only lost 29 days to injury," she would then say proudly, often eliciting a surprised result from whomever she was sharing that fact with.

When asked how the building was able to reduce lost time by such a dramatic amount, Ms. McFadden said there were a number of factors involved.

"This year, we had a safety slogan and each resident's room is now equipped with slide sheets," she said. "I by no means attribute everything to that, but it certainly helped create better overall safety awareness."

Staff Development Assistant Robin Leonard said the purchase of several new shower chairs and ceiling lifts may have also helped reduce the number of injuries.

"Those purchases helped to create a safer environment for both employees and residents," Ms. Leonard said, as she joined Ms. McFadden in greeting employees at the ice cream party.

In addition to celebrating the reduction in time lost to injury, Ms. McFadden said the building was also celebrating "a great survey."

Employees attending the party were each served an ice cream sundae and presented with a Maplewood t-shirt. They were also given a glimpse at even more new safety equipment, including four shower chairs, two hoyer lifts and 17 slings which Ms. McFadden said were purchased using funds saved as a result of the reduced injury time.

Welcome New Hires

Please welcome the following new employees to the United Helpers family.

RiverLedge

Heidi-Hitchman-Hartman - LPN

Samantha Seguin - CNA

Shelby Adams - Task Aide

Maplewood

Nina Young - RN

Casey Hammil - CNA

Alyssa Anson - Food Service Attendant

Brittany Landoll - Food Service Attendant

RiverLedge

Heidi-Hitchman-Hartman - LPN

Samantha Seguin - CNA

Shelby Adams - Task Aide

Home Health Services

Kim McDonald - Personal Care Assistant

Jacklynne Durham - Home Health Aide

Jessica Moore - Home Health Aide

Basta's

Larry Hardy - Delivery Driver/Laborer

Luke Miller - Delivery Driver/Laborer

Pleasant Valley IRA

Jordan Bronson - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA
Destiny Jo Hart - DSP
Cody Wiggins - DSP

Beulah Meloche Celebrates 110th Birthday

OGDENSBURG – When Beulah Meloche was born in 1906 Teddy Roosevelt was president, the average life expectancy was only 47 years old and there were only 144 miles of road in the entire United States.

Now, 110 years later, the world is clearly a different place. Donald Trump will be the 20^th president of her lifetime, life expectancy has increased significantly, and the U.S., according to the Federal Highway Administration, now has more than 4 million miles of roadway

Ms. Meloche, who turned 110 on Wednesday, celebrated her birthday with a party that included the presentation of a proclamation declaring the day Beulah Meloche Day in Ogdensburg, a citation from the State Senate and the opening of presents. There was also a cake adorned with the words, “Happy 110^th Birthday Beulah.”

Marie Woods works as the nurse manager in the Milligan Neighborhood, where Ms. Meloche resides. “I’ve known Beulah for about six years. She’s an amazing woman and very independent,” she said. “We have staff who care for her, but a lot of times when they go in to help her she’s already taken care of herself.”

Brook Duprey has been a CNA with United Helpers for 5 years. “I knew my job would entail caring for the elderly, but I never imagined I would meet someone who is 110.” she said, echoing what Ms. Woods said about her independence.

“She dresses herself and comes out to the dining room for meals on her own,” Ms. Duprey said.

When asked how Ms. Meloche likes to spend her days, Ms. Duprey said she especially enjoys her view of the St. Lawrence River and coming to coffee hour every Wednesday.

Ms. Meloche was born in Chazy, NY and grew up in Plattsburgh. She has lived at RiverLedge since 2011 and lived in Lisbon prior to that. She never had any children of her own. In addition to Milligan Neighborhood Staff, her lone known family member is a niece who lives outside the area.

Welcome New Hires

Please welcome the following new employees to the United Helpers family.

RiverLedge

Sabrina Baker - Task Aide

Makenna Hawk - Task Aide

Dylan Hoover - Task Aide

Candy Pratt - Task Aide

Rileigh Mee - LPN

William Bongo - LPN

Emma Heydens - LPN

Maplewood

Aimee Rosato - CNA

Clarissa Gurrola Task Aide

Melissa Fink - RN

UH Home Health Services

Emily Dawley - Task Aide

United Helpers Management Company
Andrew Ashlaw - Maintenance II

Tod Flanagan - Maintenance II

Mosaic Behavioral Health Clinic

Shawn Henry - Licensed Master of Social Worker

Spruce Street IRA
Susan Joanette - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Caitlin Cameron - DSP

Lisbon IRA
Brianna Cameron - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA

Tiffany Bartlett - DSP

United Helpers Hosts Annual Employee Recognition Luncheon

OGDENSBURG - Nearly 75 employees from United Helpers were honored at the company's annual Employee Recognition Luncheon held at the Gran View in Ogdensburg.

Employees with 10, 15, 20, 25, and 30-plus years of service were all recognized, as were this year's Margaret Spies Award winners, Desiree Bartlett, Lori Chilton and Susan Thoms.

Honored for 10 years of service were, from left, Denise Cadrette, Stacy Beldock, Julia Brown, Patrick Flagg, Colleen Stark, Crystal Phelps, Debaorah Aldrich, Crystal Teneyck and Tammy Kelley. Absent from photo, Brett Amo, Linda Bevins, Patricia Key, Jason Cameron, Carrie Amo and Michael Fraser.

Honored for 15 or 20 years of service were Holly Simmons, Mary Jane Burke, Sharlene Love, Mary Ashley, Brenda Brien, Tammy Bertrand, Diana Dancause, Cinderella Middlemiss, Sara Stelzel, Lori Smithers, Tim Parsons, Lisa Wright and Jean Rowe. Absent from photo, Bonnie Chapin, Amy Morgan, Shanon Wing, Kristen Gilson, Cinnamon Alberto, Johanna Newcombe and Pandora Hutt.

Honored for 25 or 30 years of service were Randy Adams, Barry Berghaus, Linda Whitton, Victoria Kiah, Helen Paquette, Brenda Jones, Sara Ashley, Renee Nichols, Melissa Fuller, Gisele Groulx and Tammie Ethridge. 

Honored for 30 plus years of service were Terry Ames, Deborah Middlemiss, Sherry Schmidt, Sheri Sharpe, Bernie Bezio, Gloria Bezio, Cindy Lawrence, Sue English, Bob Ethridge, Deborah Polniak, Robin Hamilton, Rick Pirie, Winifred Delorenzo, Reny Bice & Joyce Gladle. Absent from photo, Cynthia Cota, Debra Farrand, Linda Wert, Larita Flanagan, Jeanne Narrow, Julia Guminiak, Venitia Wood and Terry Hooper.

Welcome New Hires

RiverLedge

Walter Bracy - Maintenance 2

Maplewood

Christie Gay - CNA
Robert Gay - CNA
Claire Jarrett - Task Aide
Erin LaRue-Rice - Task Aide
Sandra Snyder - Food Service Attendant

UH Home Health Services

Emily Dawley - Task Aide

United Helpers Management Company
Kristin Finley - Housekeeper

Spruce Street IRA

Brooke Wood - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA
Caitlyn Kilbourn - DSP

Flackville Road IRA
Brooke Foster - DSP

Irish Settlement Road IRA
Bethany Garvey - DSP

Ogdensburg Man "Amazed" With the Care He Received at United Helpers

Mike Ripa works with Donna Donnelly, PTA.

OGDENSBURG - Earlier this summer Michael Ripa, of Ogdensburg had hip replacement surgery. While he didn't really know what to expect, one of the things that surprised him most was his time spent at the RiverLedge Health Care & Rehabilitation Center.

"I was totally amazed with the care I received," he said. "I didn't really want to come here, but they have treated me tremendously and I have no complaints."

Following a one week stay at RiverLedge this past August, Mr. Ripa has been receiving outpatient therapy twice a week.

"It was tough at first, but little by little it's getting better," he said. "I've had improvements every time I come."

Bailey Stickney, a physical therapy assistant who worked with Mr. Ripa during his inpatient stay, said Mr. Ripa's attitude and willingness to work helped him progress quickly.

"Mr. Ripa had the perfect attitude to be successful with his rehabilitation at RiverLedge. He never gave up and was willing to go the distance each and every therapy session," she said. "He didn't let his previous injury hinder his success and looked at everything as a milestone, even the smallest victory."

While Mr. Ripa only stayed on campus for a week, Ms. Stickney said more often than not someone who has hip replacement surgery is going to be in inpatient therapy for roughly two weeks.

"Normally, you're looking at a 2 week stay for a total hip replacement, but he was very motivated and it allowed him to be in and out in a week," she said, adding, "That isn't very common."

Mr. Ripa said one of the things he appreciated the most was the flexibility afforded to him by the staff.

"I didn't work around them. They worked around me," he said, noting he was even able to sign out to go to lunch with a friend of grab ice cream with his wife.

"I've had therapy at other places and it's not like this.On a scale of 1 to 10 this place is a 12," he said. "If you need any kind of therapy this is the place to come. I had other options, but I'm glad I chose this one." 

Adding Spice to Life

Esther and Lisa harvesting the garden at Rensselaer Falls IRA

OGDENSBURG If you’re cooking for a lot of people, it’s not always easy to please everyone. If you ask Lisa Alberto how she manages to please her more than a dozen diners, she will tell you to keep things as fresh as possible and to use what you have to spice things up a bit.

            As a cook for United Helpers Mosaic in Rensselaer Falls, Ms. Alberto is able to get much of her inspiration from the garden that she and other staff and residents have grown and maintained.

            “We try to use as much of what we grow as possible,” Ms. Alberto said. “We’ve made homemade spaghetti sauce from our tomatoes, basil and oregano, eggplant parmigiana and stuffed peppers. With the fresh spices we’ve grown, we are really able to create some great flavor without added salt or fat.”

            This year, the garden featured zucchini, varieties of squash, peppers, eggplants, tomatoes, sunflowers, pear trees, and many different types of herbs. Plans for a larger garden next year to include beans, peas and onions are already in the works and the team is looking to transplant some of the herbs and move them inside for the winter. “We’ve had a good year and have been able to freeze some of our vegetables,” Ms. Alberto added.  

            Mosaic and the entire United Helpers organization strive to conduct business and life in a more sustainable manner. In addition to gardening efforts, many of the United Helpers sites practice composting, have photovoltaic and solar systems and active Sustainability Committees looking for new and innovative ways to reduce the carbon footprint, both at work and at home.