United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg Working to Relocate Residents, Staff; Still Hiring Across Organization

OGDENSBURG - United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg has been working with residents, resident representatives and staff on the pending closure of the facility.   

Progress has been made with the placement of residents and staff as we work our way through the closure process. The current resident census is 89. No residents are being relocated outside of the North Country, and the facility is actively securing alternate placement and care according to their individualized preferences.

United Helpers has offered work for all direct care staff affected by the closure at other locations throughout the United Helpers organization. The Human Resources department is assisting staff with a training and a transition plan as the census declines in the Ogdensburg skilled nursing facility.

In addition to retaining our valuable staff, there are other opportunities for direct care and increased pay incentives. United Helpers has work available throughout St. Lawrence County allowing employment close to home in a team-oriented environment. Opportunities are still available in the areas of home health, skilled nursing, assisted living, housing and the developmental and intellectually disabled population. 

 Inquiries by residents or their representatives should be made to Stacey Cannizzo, VP Clinical and Quality Services/Compliance Officer at slcannizzo@unitedhelpers.org, (315) 393-0730 or (315) 393-3072 ext. 313.

Inquiries related to employment opportunities should be made to Human Resources at:  tlgotham@unitedhelpers.org. You may also contact Tapanga Gotham for more information at (315) 393-3072 ext. 4270 or call/text (315) 276-6413.

Welcome New Hires

  

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

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care 

in Canton

Jerret Piercey - IT Technician

Courtney Merritt - Housekeeper

Rae Bowen - Task Aide

Zachary Regan - Food Service Attendant

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Centennial Manor IRA

Rylie Showers - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Flackville Road IRA

Harley Douglas - DSP

Courtney Duvall - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Health Home Care Coordination

William Whinnery - Care Manager

United Helpers Hosting Defensive Driving Class Next Month

OGDENSBURG – United Helpers will be hosting a New York DMV approved National Safety Council Defensive Driving Course from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, July 31 in the Staff Development Training Room at the Behavioral Health/Life Skills (formerly Mosaic) Complex, 100 Ford St. in Ogdensburg. 

The class serves as a refresher course for drivers of all ages and includes safe driving tips and an overview of today’s vehicle and traffic laws. 

Successful completion of the class makes attendees eligible for a mandatory insurance premium reduction of up to 10% for three years on the base rate for their automobile or motorcycle insurance premiums, provided you are listed as the principal operator. Participants may also be eligible to have up to a four points removed reduction with the NYS DMV. The class may be taken once every 18 months for point reduction. 

The cost of the class is $35, payable in cash, check or money order made out to United Helpers Care, Inc. United Helpers employees may attend the class free of charge. 

Please bring your driver’s license with you to class. It is a requirement that you have it with you for documentation purposes. 

Advanced registration is required. To register please contact Mark Darou at (315) 394-6702 ext. 303 or madarou@unitedhelpers.org.

45th Annual Helen S. Randles Scholarships Presented

The winners of this year’s Helen S. Randles Scholarships came from Ogdensburg Free Academy, Lisbon Central School, and Madrid-Waddington Central School. Three $750 scholarships are presented by the Society of the United Helpers each year from funds generated by an endowment created by the late Ms. Randles. Seated, from left, Emma Plumley of Waddington, Riley Baxter of Lisbon, and Mackenzie Spicer of Ogdensburg; second row, from left, Scholarship Committee members Dr. Edward Gordon, Molly Pressey, Yvonne Lewandowski, and Committee Chair Patti Wood.

OGDENSBURG – Three high school seniors from a large field of applicants were honored with Helen S. Randles Scholarships.

The $750 scholarships are presented by the Society of the United Helpers from funds generated by an endowment created by the late Ms. Randles, who established the scholarship 45 years ago.

This year’s winners included students from Waddington, Lisbon, and Ogdensburg.

Mackenzie Spicer of Ogdensburg, will be attending SUNY Potsdam, where she is planning to major in psychology. Ms. Spicer hopes to one day become a Mental Health Counselor. She is the daughter of Chris Spicer and Lindsay Irvine.

Riley Baxter of Lisbon, will be attending SUNY Canton and entering the school’s nursing program. She is hoping to become a Registered Nurse. Ms. Baxter is the daughter of Amy Baxter.

Emma Plumley of Waddington, will be attending St. Lawrence University and majoring in psychology with a minor in exercise science. She is planning to become an Occupational Therapist. Ms. Plumley is the daughter of Nicole Thompson and Robin Plumley.

Society of United Helpers Board Member Patti Wood chaired this year’s scholarship committee and praised the recipients at the presentation. 

“When we award these scholarships, it really is hard to decide who wins,” she said. “We don’t just look at your grade point averages. We look at your whole body of work, as well as everything you do in the community.”

Ms. Wood also offered the recipients a piece of advice, sharing with them some “things you will never learn in a book.”

“Caring, compassion, and kindness are the three most important traits any person can have,” she said. “If you exhibit each of these traits, you will go very far in life.”

She also advised them to look people in the eye when talking to them.

“That will tell you more than anything,” she said.

The Helen S. Randles Scholarship is awarded each year to three students from St. Lawrence County, who are furthering their education and planning to enter the health care field. Ms. Randles’s hope in creating the scholarship endowment was that the recipients would one day return to become United Helpers employees.

CEO Todd Amo and Vice President of Human Resources Michelle Matthews joined this year's winners for a photo.

Welcome New Hires

  

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

United Helpers Rehabilitation & Senior Care 

in Ogdensburg

Zackary Dutton - Maintenance I

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Kenrew IRA

Joshua Forsythe - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Centennial Manor IRA

Makayla Towne - MDSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Behavioral Health Clinic in Ogdensburg

Kurtis Ellison - Lead Social Worker

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

High Street IRA

Ethan Gonzalez - Residence Supervisor

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Spruce Street IRA

Emma Plumley - DSP

JennaMarie Lajoy - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Kati McDonald - Housekeeper

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Lisbon IRA

Emma Gravlin - DSP

United Helpers Behavioral Health & Life Skills

Health Home/Care Coordination

Quincie Parker - Care Manager

Gordons Pay Tribute to Past CEOs Knight & Turongian

CANTON - Through their many years of dedication and service to United Helpers, CEOs Stephen Knight and John Turongian have made a lasting impact on the organization. Now, that impact will forever be recognized through the naming of the therapy suite at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton.

Dr. Edward and Barbara “Bobby” Gordon established the tribute with the creation of a Charitable Gift Annuity (CGA) through the Northern New York Community Foundation (NNYCF), their second major gift benefitting United Helpers, following their first major gift in 2019 to create the Fannie Frank Distinguished CNA Award.

While the naming of the United Helpers therapy suite in Canton was announced at Mr. Knight’s retirement party, Dr. Gordon said this was something in the works before he had heard of Mr. Knight’s retirement plans.

“Both Steve and John are tremendous leaders,” he said. “Bobby and I wanted to do something meaningful to thank them for all they’ve done for United Helpers and the North Country as a whole. We felt like this lasting tribute was a good way to remember them and benefit an organization that I know means just as much to them as it does to us.”

United Helpers collaborates with the Northern New York Community Foundation as nonprofit partners. The Community Foundation assists United Helpers as a responsible steward of a number of donor-restricted and organizational funds. Both organizations worked with the Gordons to identify a charitable giving vehicle that would be meaningful, honor Mr. Knight and Mr. Turongian, and support United Helpers in perpetuity. The charitable gift annuity established by the Gordons allowed them to accomplish all three goals.

See caption below

Both the Community Foundation and United Helpers said they were touched by the Gordon’s gift. 

“The Gordons' devotion to the mission of United Helpers has been inspiring and a guiding hand to the organization. This gift and their generosity over many years is a reflection of that commitment. It is a wonderful example of bringing dedicated donors, an essential area nonprofit, and the Foundation together to create a gift that will endure,” said Community Foundation Assistant Director Max DelSignore.

United Helpers Vice President of Development Christa Carroll agreed, “United Helpers will forever be grateful to the Gordons for this thoughtful gift, as well as to Steve and John for their many years of leadership. This naming will serve as a lasting tribute for four very special people who have left an indelible mark on United Helpers.”

Dr. Gordon, who currently serves on the Management Company Board of Directors, has been a volunteer with United Helpers for 30-plus years. Mrs. Gordon is currently on the Society Board, and has been a volunteer for more than five years.

Rehabilitation services offered at the John M. Turongian & Stephen E. Knight Therapy Suite include physical therapy, occupational therapy, and speech therapy for both long-term and short-term therapy patients residing at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton. For additional information on these services, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org.

If you would like to make a gift to United Helpers, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org/giving, call 315-714-3123, or email giving@unitedhelpers.org.

Photo caption: 

Outgoing United Helpers CEO Stephen E. Knight was recently celebrated at a surprise retirement party, where it was announced that the therapy suite at Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Canton was being named in honor of him and his predecessor, John Turongian. Mr. Turongian, who now lives outside the area, was unable to attend, but Mr. Knight was joined at the event by several family members. From left, United Helpers Society Board member Barbara Gordon, Phyllis Wood, Brad Knight, Dr. Edward Gordon, Ed Knight, Hannah Knight, Lianne Knight, Stephen Knight, Dani Kahn, Daniel Knight, Penny LeBeau, and Brent Knight. The naming of the therapy suite was made possible by a planned gift from Dr. and Mrs. Gordon.

Milltown Meadows Offers Small Town Living Close to the City

EVANS MILLS – Have you been thinking about downsizing your home, and enjoying all the benefits of maintenance-free living? Do you wish you could live closer to Watertown?

Milltown Meadows in Evans Mills

Milltown Meadows in Evans Mills currently has vacancies available and can help make your trips to Watertown for shopping or dining a lot shorter. 

 

The complex houses 24 apartments on two floors, just minutes away from Watertown’s restaurants, shopping, and activities. The building is equipped with a community room, a gazebo, raised gardening beds, and flowerbeds around the property.

 

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. Free trash removal is also included.

 

Milltown Meadows 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.

United Way Grant Helps Fund CNA Classes

OGDENSBURG – A grant from the United Way of Northern New York will help dozens of new hires and already employed Task Aides become Certified Nursing Aides (CNAs) through training provided at United Helpers Rehabilitation and Senior Care in either Canton or Ogdensburg. 

New CNA Dawn Baber assists Mary Brayton.

The $7,000 grant was awarded to United Helpers to help with the costs of materials and supplies for six on-site CNA training courses, covering up to 96 students.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic forced the cancellation of January’s CNA training course; however, two classes were held in March, with seven students from Canton and four students from Ogdensburg earning their CNA certification.

A second round of classes is ongoing, and additional classes are planned throughout the year. 

Anna Stout & Alyvia Stott work together to roll a mannequin.

Rehabilitation and Senior Care Canton Vice President of Operations Timothy Parsons wrote the grant on behalf of the two facilities, while serving in the same capacity for Rehabilitation and Senior Care in Ogdensburg.

Becoming a CNA requires training, classroom learning, and certification. The Certified Nurse Aide is a paraprofessional member of the health care team who works under direct supervision of a licensed nurse.

A typical day for a Certified Nurse Aide may include answering patient call bells, delivering messages, serving meals, making beds, assisting residents with meals, and dressing and bathing. Aides may provide skin care, take temperatures, pulse, and respiration, and assist residents with walking or getting in and out of bed. Certified Nurse Aides observe patients' mental, physical, and emotional conditions and report changes to the nursing and medical staff. 

Candace Ouellette studies for her CNA exam.

If you are interested in becoming a CNA in either Canton or Ogdensburg, please visit, www.unitedhelpers.org/apply to submit an application for the next on-site class.

To learn more about the United Way of Northern New York, please visit www.unitedway-nny.org.