May 26, 2021

Welcome New Hires

 


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

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Canton
Jaycee Cronk - Housekeeper
Cassandra Mattice - CNA
Joseph Richards - Task Aide

United Helpers Management Company
Spencer Hockey - Office Tech

May 18, 2021

Amo to Succeed Knight as United Helpers CEO

OGDENSBURG – The United Helpers Management Company Board of Directors is pleased to announce that Todd Amo will serve as the company’s fourth Chief Executive Officer (CEO). 

 "I am pleased that Todd has agreed to take on this role. He has worked closely with Steve over the years, and especially since this decision was made,” said Board President Galen Pletcher. “I am confident that United Helpers is in great hands moving forward and am thankful for the years of service Steve has provided to the company."

 

Mr. Amo was hired by United Helpers in 2002 to serve as administrator of what was then known as United Helpers Canton Nursing Home. In 2013, he became the administrator for Sparx, and in 2015, he was promoted to Executive Vice President of Operations.

Todd Amo
He will officially become CEO on May 28, following Mr. Knight's retirement.

 “I am thankful for the opportunity the board has given me. I am looking forward to working with the entire United Helpers team,” Mr. Amo said. “I am also thankful for the leadership Steve has provided the organization, as well as me, personally, for many years. We will continue moving forward with many of the initiatives he put into place.”

 

Mr. Amo holds an Associate’s degree in business from SUNY Canton and a Bachelor’s degree from Evangel University in Springfield, Missouri. He resides in Ogdensburg with his wife, Rachelle and their twin sons, Blake and Brayden, who attend college outside the area.

May 12, 2021

Welcome New Hires

 


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

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Canton
Bali MacKentley - RN
Jacob Pitman - Food Service Attendant
Cynthia Michielsen - Food Service Attendant

Pleasant Valley IRA
Emma Milligan - DSP

Spruce Street IRA
Kaley Dulmage - DSP
Zander Webb - DSP

May 7, 2021

Mill Yard Estates Offers Senior/Disabled Housing Options in Parishville

PARISHVILLE –Have you been thinking about downsizing your home, and enjoying all the benefits of maintenance-free living? Do you enjoy the outdoors?

Mill Yard Estates in Parishville currently has vacancies available and can help your dreams of living in the Adirondacks or never mowing the lawn and shoveling snow again come true.

 

The complex, which houses 20 apartments in two different buildings on the property, is equipped with a community room, raised gardening beds, and flowerbeds around the property. It is located within the Adirondack Park and in close proximity to downtown Parishville, including the post office, museum, store, and St. Regis River. 

 

Apartments are available for those 62 and older, or those who have a disability. Each apartment includes a kitchen with refrigerator and stove, living room, bathroom, and bedroom. An on-site laundry room is also available for use.

 

Mill Yard Estates is a pet-friendly complex and rent subsidies for those who quality may be available.

 

If you would like a housing application, or for further information, please call (315) 714-3129.

Knight’s Tenure at United Helpers, one of Growth, Change and a Commitment to Mission

OGDENSBURG –Over the past 33 years, United Helpers Chief Executive Officer Stephen E. Knight has witnessed unprecedented growth at an organization that has been serving the people of the North Country in some capacity since 1898. 

“The most rewarding thing about working for United Helpers was working for a mission-driven organization. I hope the ten ladies who started the Society of the United Helpers would approve and be proud of our work,” Mr. Knight said, as he sat down to discuss his career with the company, which began in August of 1988, and will end later this month.

 

“What I’ve experienced in my 30 plus years is the board has always been willing to step up and support our community,” he said, before quoting a portion of the United Helpers Mission Statement. “To serve the community and help those in need.”

 

Mr. Knight then listed many of the services United Helpers developed during his time with the company… “pre-vocational day habilitation service, transitional, clinical, and housing services for people with severe and persistent mental illness, IRAs (Individualized Residential Alternatives), management of more than 500 units of subsidized housing, outpatient rehabilitation services, a market rate retirement community, the county’s only assisted living program, two outpatient behavioral health clinics, care management and case management services, and certified home care.”

 

“It was my privilege to work for a very committed board of directors and with a group of committed, caring professionals,” he said. “Together, we created a unique continuum of post-acute care and community-based services that support more than 2,400 people in our county every day.”

 

Mr. Knight’s career with United Helpers began when he was hired as an assistant administrator for what was then known as United Helpers Care, Inc. Today that portion of the company is known as United Helpers Behavioral Health and Life Skills.

 

“I had heard about the job with United Helpers, because it was in the newspaper,” he said, noting at that time he was living and working in the Boston area. “My mother would send me job ads because she wanted me to move back home.”

 

Mr. Knight grew up in Lisbon and graduated from St. Lawrence University. He then spent “three or four” years in Massachusetts before moving back home.

 

After spending two years as assistant administrator, Mr. Knight was promoted to administrator in 1990 by then CEO John Turongian.

 

“As the company continued to grow, John made some changes to the leadership team, and I was promoted to Director of Systems Development in 1996, so then I had responsibilities company wide,” he said. In 2001 Mr. Knight was promoted to Director of Operations.

 

From the moment I first met Steve in 1990, I was impressed with his leadership skills and "can do" attitude. With each promotion, it soon became apparent that Steve was destined to take on greater responsibilities,” Mr. Turongian said. “The business of Health Care is very challenging and ever-evolving, and Steve knew where we needed to go.”  

In 2009, Mr. Turongian would retire from United Helpers and Mr. Knight became the company’s third CEO.

 

“It was an honor and privilege to work with him for nearly 20 years at United Helpers,” Mr. Turongian said. “My best wishes to him and Lianne for a happy and successful retirement.”

 

While he may be ready to retire, Mr. Knight said he will not stop advocating for the North Country and the people United Helpers serves.

 

“Over the years, we’ve continued to see an increase in the number of people relying on Medicaid or Medicare. One of my biggest worries is that during this same time we’ve also seen a waning of support at the state and federal level for these folks. It is up to us to continue advocating for those in need. They’re our friends and neighbors,” he said.

 

Mr. Knight said he’s planning on taking the summer to work on projects around his home, while also noting his oldest daughter is getting married this summer. He plans to do some traveling and participate in a lot more of the outdoor activities that he enjoys doing like biking, hiking, snow skiing and water-skiing.

 

He resides in Colton with his wife, Lianne. The couple has three adult children, Hannah, Daniel, and Sadie Rose. His last day with United Helpers will be Friday, May 28.

May 3, 2021

Welcome New Hires


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

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care in Canton
Mandy Beth Bright-Lovell - Task Aide
Selena Negron - Food Service Attendant

McIntyre Road IRA
Brendon Arsenault - DSP

Riverwood Acres IRA
Ria Amo - DSP

High Street IRA
Justine Burns - DSP
Ellie Gagner - DSP
Ashley Scott - DSP