Internship Leads to Full-time Career With United Helpers

OGDENSBURG – Like many college students Taylor Elliott, of Gouverneur wasn’t sure what she wanted to do with her life after graduating from high school.

Taylor Elliott

“Even during my senior year in college, I had no idea what I wanted to do with my degree,” she said, adding she began her college career as a Vet Tech major before ultimately majoring in Applied Psychology.

While taking courses towards her degree in applied psychology Ms. Elliott met Jennifer Waite, who works as a licensed social worker with United Helpers’ ACT Team and Angela Doe, who serves as the behavioral health services coordinator. Both women also teach courses at SUNY Canton.

“I knew Jennifer worked with the ACT (Assertive Community Treatment) Team so I spoke with her and then asked Angela about internship opportunities. She asked if I was ready to work with the persistently mentally ill, and I replied, ‘I think so. It should be an experience.’”

That conversation took place last summer with Ms. Elliott beginning an internship with the ACT Team in August. She completed that internship in November, but even before her internship was over, Ms. Elliott had found a full-time job with United Helpers.

“I was hired before I even graduated, but I had no idea this was going to lead to a job,” Ms. Elliott said. “I was shocked when Angela and Meg asked me to come in for an interview.”

Ms. Elliott now works full-time as a Health Home Care Coordinator traveling the county and meeting with people in their homes to help coordinate things such as medical appointments, mental health appointments, education and employment opportunities and more.

“It’s been awesome. I really like the atmosphere and I really enjoy helping others,” she said. “I don’t even feel like I’m coming to work.”

Ms. Elliott said another of her classmates is also currently doing an internship with United Helpers and is actually the first intern the Care Coordination Department has ever had.

“It’s been a really great experience. During my internship I learned more than I ever thought I would and now I have a full-time career too,” she said.

United Helpers employs more than 1,000 people and is one of the largest health care and human service providers in St. Lawrence County, offering a wide variety of employment opportunities for everything from nursing and marketing to accounting and behavior health counseling.

If you think an internship or career at United Helpers may be right for you, please visit www.unitedhelpers.org or contact the United Helpers Human Resources Department at (315) 393-3074.

Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Patrick Lalonde - Task Aide
Alexis Montalvo - Task Aide

Kiana Zulauf - Task Aide
Richard Vanttorn - Food Service Attendant

Maplewood

Justin Foster - Food Service Attendant

Sara Phelps - Food Service Attendant

RiverLedge Residence

Deborah Hirsch - Home Health Aide/Task Aide

Robertson Honored With Life Improved Award

From left, Program Manager Brady Dullea, Mandi Robertson & Assistant Program Manager Maggie Pike

Robertson Honored With Life Improved Award

RENSSEALER FALLS – Although the majority of people who come in and out of an IRA each day return home at the end of their shift, for the dozen or so people with developmental disabilities who reside there, the IRA is their home.

That’s a fact’s not lost on United Helpers’ latest Life Improved Award winner, Mandi Robertson, of Waddington. Ms. Robertson works as a DSP at the Rensselaer Falls IRA.

“She is always willing and eager to decorate rooms, curl hair, paint nails, do arts and crafts and even take on tasks like making sure OT (occupational therapy) and PT (physical therapy) goals are accomplished,” said Assistant Program Manager Maggie Pike. “And that’s not all of the wonderful stuff she does to make the IRA more of a home.

Ms. Pike said though, the home’s residents though, aren’t the only people Ms. Robertson cares for.

“From Post-it notes with smiley faces drawn on them to introducing co-workers to family members like they’re her own family and delivering fresh coffee after a long day of SCIP-CPR training, she always goes the extra mile to make sure those around her are having the best day possible,” Ms. Pike said. “When asked to complete special tasks or even just sorting socks when the laundry basket is full, she will comply, and always do so with a smile.”

Ms. Robertson was selected for the honor from a field of more than 20 nominees, each of whom was nominated by their co-workers.

The United Helpers Life Improved Awards were created in 2015 as a way to recognize employees who go above and beyond and exhibit the traits behind the organization’s Life Improved mantra. Awards are distributed in the winter and summer each year.

Mosaic Art Show Includes Record 90 Entries

OGDENSBURG - This year's United Helpers Mosaic Art Show included a record number of 90 entries from across the Mosaic side of United Helpers.

Leonard Benway with his sculpture Red Rooster.

Sculptures, paintings, drawing, crafts and more were on display with light piano music courtesy of Mark Darou providing a soundtrack to the afternoon.
Claiming the show's People's Choice award was Leonard Benway and his sculpture titled, "Red Rooster."
Second Place among the voters went to a team of artists from Citizen Advocates, appropriately titled, "Teamwork." This team of artists included, Joe Fasano, Ed Durgan, James Robinson, Lumas Blando and Carson Riley.
In the painting category, Paula Roberts earned first place for "Plasmic Lava,' with Jason Chorba's "A Dab Will Do," bringing home second place honors.
Amanda Thompson's drawing of Tinkerbell won first place in the drawing category and Jeffrey Kinch's drawing titled, "RIP" earned second place.
The show also included several sculptures and upcycled art pieces with first place in this category going to Gwen Taylor's sculpture of a peacock." An upcycled piece titled, "Feel the Music" won second place.
In the crafts category first place went to Leonard Berkowitz and his piece, "Twisty Windhchime." Second place in this category went to James Angelo's "Out in Left Field."
Program Manager Lauren Peters, who helps to coordinate the show, said a fine job was done by everyone.
"We have some very talented artists with us today, and as the show continues to grow it's becoming more and more difficult for our judge to name the winners, she said.
Judging the show was retired Hammond Central School art teacher Carolyn Noble.

For an album of photos from this year's event, click here.

Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Philip Snow - Task Aide
Tabbatha Fifield - CNA
Tammy Demers - RN

Maplewood

Erin Drake - Task Aide
Ashley Lewis - Task Aide
Tiffiny Patnode - Task Aide
Chelsea Phelps - Task Aide
Teanna Vezzose - Task Aide
Bobbijo Wetherwax - Task Aide
Britney Gardner - CNA
Jordyn Simmons - Food Service Attendant
Terri Legguie-Guyette - RN
Lori McDonald - Admissions Coordinator

United Helpers Home Health Services

Patricia Bisonette - Personal Care Aide/Task Aide
Jessica Provost - Home Health Aide/Task Aide

Potsdam Day Habilitation

Kristy Baker - Day Services Coordinator

Rensseleaer Falls IRA

Devin Kelly - DSP

Health Home (Supportive Case Management)

Genevieve Freeman - Care Coordinator

Welcome New Hires

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

RiverLedge

Mercedes Bigelow - Task Aide
Anthony Hawkins - Task Aide
Patricia Courtney - RN
Staci Martin - LPN

Management

Kimberly Lipczynski - Housing Site Manager (W. Carthage & Evans Mills)

High Street IRA

Porshea Smith - DSP

Rensselaer Falls IRA

Bethany Gordon - DSP

Maplewood's Assisted Living Program Offers Peace of Mind

Mary Hawes enjoys a chat with her niece, Mary Snell, of Parishville. Ms. Snell regularly visits her aunt and says having her at Maplewood’s Assisted Living Program provides a great deal of relief for their family.

CANTON – After falling down several times while living on her own in senior housing, Mary Hawes said deep down on the inside she realized it was no longer safe for her to be living by herself.

“I lived in senior housing in Malone for 28 years, and it was like pulling teeth convincing me to move,” Ms. Hawes said. “I did all of my own cooking and it was like keeping house, but I also fell a couple times and realized it was safer for me to be in a place like this than by myself.”

The Assisted Living Program (ALP) housed at Maplewood Health Care & Rehabilitation Center in Canton offers around the clock staffing that is available to help residents, when needed.

“We have home health aides on staff 24 hours a day, who are available at the push of a button,” said ALP Manager Leslie Whitton.

Independence is also an important part of life in the ALP, with community kitchens and a fitness center available for resident use.

“We encourage independence and like our residents to stay as independent as possible, but when we’re needed, we’re there,” Ms. Whitton said.

Ms. Hawes, who has lived at the ALP for three years, said the decision to move into an Assisted Living Program is not one she regrets.

“What I tell everyone is, this is a great place to live,” she said, adding she can attend Mass, Rosary and even get her hair done without leaving the building.

Ms. Hawes’ niece, Mary Snell, who together with her sister Katherine Casey looked after their aunt said knowing their Aunt Mary is being looked after and cared for was a great relief to them.

Prior to coming to Maplewood, Mrs. Snell said her aunt spent one year at a skilled nursing facility in Malone.

“We tried very hard to get her in here,” Mrs. Snell said. “If you can’t take care of your loved ones in your home, this is the next best thing.”

Services offered at the ALP include laundry, medication management, three meals per day plus nutritious snacks, access to regularly scheduled activities, transportation service, shopping service and more.

For a nominal fee, residents may also have access to cable television, a private phone line and the internet.

The ALP is a 48-unit wing of Maplewood that is divided into four, 12-unit cottages, with each resident having their own private bedroom and bathroom. Each floor includes a bird sanctuary and an adult male cat named Oscar calls the second floor his home.

“It’s always nice to come in and take a look,” Ms. Whitton said. “The place pretty much sells itself.”

To schedule a tour, please call (315) 386-4541. For further information on Assisted Living or any of the services United Helpers offers, like us on Facebook or visit www.unitedhelpers.org.