Welcome New Hires

 

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Sennior Care

Tiffany Perry - Food Service Attendant

Linda Bevins - CNA

Brittney Carnicelli - LPN

Mellissa Kent - LPN

Tanya Bolia - Admissions Coordinator

United Helpers Management Company

Jeremy Hall - Maintenance II (Housing)

Melilnda Snyder - Maintenance II (Housing)

Thomas Bassett - Maintenance II (Housing)

Darrel Cole - Maintenance II (Housing)

Richard Davis - Maintenance II (Housing)

Mindy Ross - Housing Assistant

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Traci Showers - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Centennial Manor IRA

Kaitlin McCarthy - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Pleasant Valley IRA

Michelle Peacock - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Flackville Road IRA

April Streeter - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Sommer Yates - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Scozzafava Right at Home at United Helpers ISL

CANTON – The decision to move out of one’s family home and into an apartment is never an easy one to make, but for most people the time comes when it’s a decision that has to be made.

Marilyn Scozzafava, of Gouverneur, made that decision earlier this year when she moved into United Helpers Independent Senior Living (ISL) in Canton. She said she has no regrets. Her daughter, Dierdre “Dede” Scozzafava said the same thing.

“I am very pleased,” Mrs. Scozzafava said, as she sat in a recliner in the living room of her new home. After only spending a few weeks at the ISL, Mrs. Scozzafava said she realized she was right where she needed to be following a visit back to her home in Gouverneur, where she had lived for the past 50 years. 

Marilyn Scozzafava and her daughter, Diedre "Dede."

“It was difficult to watch people doing things there differently than how I would have done them,” she said. “Then when Dede brought me back here, it felt like I was returning home.”

Ms. Scozzafava said knowing that her mother was happy provided a great deal of relief, both for her and her siblings.

“When she walked in that night and said she felt like she was at home, I was relieved,” Ms. Scozzafava recalled. “As children you’re happy when you’re parents are happy.”

Mrs. Scozzafava said the decision to move to the ISL came as she realized that she could no longer do many of the things she used to enjoy.

“My husband had passed away and I had developed arthritis. And here I was living in a three story home,” she said. “I love gardening and I love flowers, but I realized, I just couldn’t do it anymore. I said, ‘The time has come for me to give up this home I love.’”

One of the first things she noticed upon moving into her new home was several raised garden beds around the property, including one that she can see from the windows in her living room.

“I saw those flower beds and said, ‘that’s going to be my first project,’” she said.

As for the other perks of residing at United Helpers Independent Senior Living, Mrs. Scozzafava said she’s really enjoying the restaurant-style dining.

“The food here is excellent,” she said. “I never really ate soup before, but now I won’t go a day without it.”

Mrs. Scozzafava also said she has enjoyed the monthly wine and cheese tasting event.

“I won’t be missing too many of those,” she said with a laugh.

She said she is looking forward to participating in more of the building’s activities once she “gets settled in.”

Events held on a regular basis include games, craft projects, outings, and even on-site musical events.

“Everyone I’ve met so far has been really nice,” she said. “I’m looking forward to getting settled in, participating in more of what the building has to offer, and meeting some more great people.”

United Helpers Independent Senior Living is located at 30 Sullivan Drive in Canton, offering a variety of one-bedroom and two-bedroom apartment styles, with some units currently available.

A virtual tour of the building is available on the Independent Senior Living section of the United Helpers website. Visit, www.unitedhelpers.org or call (315) 379-1428 to learn more.

United Helpers Receives Grant to Train More than 70 CNAs for Careers with UH

CANTON – Thanks to funding from the Workforce Development Board’s Rural Healthcare Grant program, dozens of students will be able to enroll in United Helpers’ Certified Nursing Assistant training program tuition-free. 

The grant, which totals $144,000, will cover the $2,000 tuition cost for up to 72 students who enroll in the program through 2023. The classes are offered on a regular basis at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, with a new class starting soon. 

CNA students can be hired as United Helpers employees before their training begins. Students often work as Task Aides while enrolled in the CNA class, meaning they are earning income while working to earn their CNA Certification. 

The benefit of this tuition-free training on site at United Helpers is that CNA students learn and train right in the facility where they will be working—becoming comfortable finding locations and services within the building, familiar with the residents and their families, and thoroughly ready to “hit the ground running” upon earning their CNA Certification. 

Once certified, they always have the benefit of being able to circle back to their CNA instructor, who is a fellow UH employee, with any questions. 

United Helpers CNAs start out earning $15 per hour. 

“It’s no secret that making time for career training isn’t an easy thing to do, and sometimes due to financial constraints, it’s not even possible,” said United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons. “This program, though, allows students to further their education and earn income to support their families at the same time.” 

United Helpers Vice President of Human Resources, Michelle Matthews, who herself began her career as a CNA, said that becoming a CNA can be a lifelong career or the first stepping stone in a career with nearly endless possibilities.

“I was still in high school when I became a CNA,” she said. “Now more than 25 years later, I am still working for United Helpers. Although no longer providing patient care, I would not be where I am professionally today if it weren’t for those years of working as a CNA.” 

Students interested in enrolling in this tuition-free course, may fill out an application online at www.unitedhelpers.org/employment or contact human resources at (315) 276-6413 for further information. 

To qualify for this train-on-the-job opportunity, aspiring CNAs must: 

• be at least 18

• have a minimum of 6 months of full-time work experience 

• be vaccinated against COVID-19 and show proof, or have a legitimate medical exemption with appropriate documentation 

• be unemployed or underemployed in a low-wage or part-time job 

“We are grateful to the Workforce Development Board for this grant, which will not only help to better the lives of those who take the class, but also the people in our care,” said United Helpers Vice President of Development Christa Carroll. “By greatly reducing training costs for our new CNAs, we are able to provide this opportunity to dozens of people from around St. Lawrence County who will see their lives enhanced because of it.”

United Helpers to Develop 27 Acres along Waterfront in Ogdensburg

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers has owned what used to be the city’s Pythian beach for nearly 40 years and is excited to announce it will be giving access to that property back to the community. 

Clearing of the parcel began in October and will continue throughout the next several months.

The 27-acre property includes 1,600 feet of water frontage along the St. Lawrence River.

Although it is too early to provide specific details, the property will become a mixed use development which officials say will fully take advantage of the beautiful St. Lawrence River and grant access to everyone, from the people United Helpers serves and employs, to boaters and community members alike. 

A request has been filed with the city of Ogdensburg to extend water and sewer service to the property, which sits just outside the city limits.

United Helpers CEO Todd Amo said the development will tie into the soon to be renovated Adult Home, which closed in 2018. Plans for that building include the creation of several one and two bedroom market-rate apartments, which will be available to people of all ages. Both long-term and short-term leases will be available.

The views from these new apartments will be second to none.

To inquire on the availability of these units, please contact the United Helpers Management Company at (315) 393-3074, ext. 4254.

United Helpers Promotes from Within to Reconfigure Corporate Compliance Dept.

OGDENSBURG – For dozens of United Helpers employees a job as a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) or Direct Support Professional (DSP) has led to a career with several promotions along the way, that in some instances, lead to management-level positions.

The newly restructured Corporate Compliance Office at United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills is a perfect example. Both newly appointed Corporate Compliance Officer Jason Matthie and newly appointed Corporate Compliance Assistant Stephanie Lancto began their careers as Direct Support Professionals more than 10 years ago.

“When I started as a DSP, I had never really lived in one place for more than two years at a time,” Mr. Matthie said. “I had some friends who worked for United Helpers and I had just moved back to the area. I thought it would be a good job at the time, but I really had no concept of a career.”

Stephanie Lancto & Jason Matthie

That was back in 2003. Roughly one year later, Mr. Matthie would receive his first promotion becoming a Staff Development Specialist. In 2008 he became Quality Assurance Assistant and in 2014 he was promoted again, this time becoming Quality Assurance Coordinator. He held that position until his most recent promotion this fall.

Ms. Lancto began her career with United Helpers shortly after graduating from high school in 2010.

“I was fresh out of high school and just looking for a way to make some money,” she said. “I knew someone who was working at the Spruce Street IRA and applied to be a DSP there.”

She was initially hired in a per-diem role, but quickly earned a full-time position. In 2016 Ms. Lancto was promoted to Housing Assistant, a position with the United Helpers Management Company. She then returned to Behavioral Health and Life Skills in 2020 when she became an office technician for the Quality Assurance and Staff Development Departments, holding that position until her most recent promotion.

“When I started with United Helpers as an 18-year-old kid, I never envisioned I would still be working here as an adult woman who is now raising a family,” she said.

While some people do enjoy lengthy careers as a CNA or DSP, which is perfectly fine, Mr. Matthie said there is room for growth within the organization for people who are looking to advance their careers without having to move to another employer and “start over.”

Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Matthews, who began her own career as a CNA more than 25 years ago said, “The great thing about United Helpers is there are so many opportunities available. Whether you want to go from being a CNA to an RN or LPN or you want to change careers entirely, you can do that and still stay within the United Helpers family.”

She then cited several examples, including two IT professionals, one who began as a CNA, and the other who began in Food Services, the Director of Nursing at Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton, who began as a CNA, and a countless number of Program Leaders and Assistant Program Leaders who began their careers as DSPs.

If you’re interested in advancing your career, Mr. Matthie said the first step is finding the confidence in yourself to take the necessary steps needed to pursue the promotion.

“I was one of the shyest kids in my school, but as I gained experience and confidence in myself, I found that if I applied myself, I could do almost anything,” he said. “A lot of people get intimidated when they see new positions posted, but if they apply the experience and knowledge they gained from whatever job they’re holding now, and possibly other positions they’ve held in the past, they’ll often find they’re capable of far greater things than they give themselves credit for.”

Other internal promotions made as part of the department’s restructuring include Shauna Sears moving from Quality Assurance Assistant to Quality Assurance Coordinator, Will Robinson moving from PEACE Specialist to Quality Assurance Specialist and Nicole Bell moving from DSP to Quality Assurance Technician.

United Helpers currently has a variety of openings for direct care, nursing, maintenance, and office positions, with jobs available across the county. To view a complete listing of available positions, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/employment.

 

Welcome New Hires

  

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Sennior Care

Alicia Ballard - Receptionist

Kimberly Mattice - Task Aide

Bryanna Kerr - Housekeeper

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

McIntyre Road IRA

Robert Gagnon - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Centennial Manor IRA

Joshua Legault - Residence Supervisor

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Behavioral Health Clinics (Canton & Ogdensburg)

Amanda Morley - LPN

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Brandie Matott - DSP

Bryan Mills - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Spruce Street IRA

Joshua Walrath - DSP

United Helpers Hosting Interviews Through Zoom, Call to Schedule Your Interview Today.

OGDENSBURG – In addition to hosting in-person open interviews twice a month, United Helpers will now be hosting interviews via Zoom for anyone interested in working for the organization. 

“Open interviews are an important part of our recruiting process, but we recognize that not everyone can attend an interview during these times,” said United Helpers Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Matthews. “Zoom meetings are something that many of us have become familiar with over the past couple of years, and the best part about conducting a job interview over Zoom, is we can schedule it at your convenience.”

 

If you are interested in scheduling a Zoom interview for any position within the United Helpers organization, call or text (315) 276-6413. You may schedule an interview prior to completing an employment application.

 

In-person open interviews continue to be held on the first and last Wednesday of each month, with interviews coming up on Oct. 27 from 1 to 3 p.m. and Nov. 3 from 9 to 11 a.m. These interviews are held at 100 Ford Street in Ogdensburg.

 

United Helpers currently has a variety of openings for direct care, nursing, maintenance, and office positions, with jobs available across the county. To view a complete listing, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/employment.

Welcome New Hires

 

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Sennior Care

Megan Bell - LPN

Daniel Doman - Task Aide

United Helpers Management Company

Walton Sugrue - Maintenance II (Housing)

Sparx

Joyce Simmons - Housekeeper

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

McIntyre Road IRA

Leonard Legault III - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Harlee Mashaw - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Marinah Simons - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Jacques Sovie - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

Antasia Walrather - Direct Support Professional (DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Lisbon IRA

Kevin Kinnear - Cook/Housekeeper

Welcome New Hires

 

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

United Helpers Rehabilitation and Sennior Care

Yashveen Rai - CNA

United Helpers Management Company

Todd Hanson - Housing Assistant

Sarah Simmons - Office Tech

United Helpers Independent Senior Living

Kelsey Streeter = Hospitality Coordinator

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Andrea LaFlair - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Katelin Gravelin - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Lisbon IRA

Matthew Riley - Direct Support Professional (DSP)

United Helpers Hosting Open Interviews First, Last Wednesday Each Month

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills is hosting open interviews on the first and last Wednesday of each month for those interested in working as Direct Support Professionals (DSPs).

 

Bi-monthly open interviews will begin on Wednesday, September 29 from 1-3 p.m. The following week on Wednesday, October 6 open interviews will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Open interviews will always be from 1 to 3 p.m. on the final Wednesday and from 9 to 11 a.m. on the first Wednesday of each month. 

Interviews will take place at the Behavioral Health and Life Skills complex, 100 Ford Street in Ogdensburg.

Earlier this summer staff and residents from the Centennial IRA in Ogdensburg attended a Luke Bryan concert in Syracuse.  

The primary role of a DSP is to promote skills development and act as a role model to those with developmental disabilities residing in one of United Helpers 11 Individualized Residential Alternatives (IRAs). DSPs also inspire involvement and participation in recreational, community and/or social activities.

“Direct support professionals are the backbone of our IRAs,” said United Helpers Director of Residential Services Colleen S. Aldridge. “A good DSP serves as a friend and mentor, as well as a caregiver to the people residing in the house where they work.”

A typical day for a DSP may include assistance with personal care, interactions and daily activities such as travel to medical appointments, attendance at religious services, concerts, sporting, or other community events.

The starting salary for DSPs is $15 per hour, however, for those working evening and midnight shifts, a shift differential is available, bringing the wage up to $16 and $16.50 per hour.

 

While vacancies exist across the county, the greatest area of need is currently in the Rensselaer Falls and Potsdam areas.

 

United Helpers operates IRAs in Ogdensburg, Heuvelton, Lisbon, Morristown, Rensselaer Falls, Potsdam, and Norwood.

Earlier this summer staff and residents from the Centennial IRA in Ogdensburg attended a Luke Bryan concert in Syracuse. From left, clearly enjoying the show, Crystal Osborne and Direct Support Professional Tapanga Gotham, who also works in the United Helpers Human Resources Department. Other outings enjoyed by DSPs include fishing trips, movies, fairs, parades, amusement parks, and more.