Main Story - 11/22/2011

UNITY HOUSE HIRES NEW QUALITY ASSURANCE DIRECTOR
Amber Amidon is selected from within agency

Auburn, New York – Liz Werner, executive director of Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc., has announced the promotion of Amber Amidon as director of quality assurance. Amidon oversees Unity House’s quality assurance program and Medicaid service coordination. She began her new duties on January 2.

“Amber has been with Unity House for 15 years and has worked in a variety of capacities here, including five years in quality assurance,” said Werner. “She is clearly committed to the agency’s mission, and has a good sense of the principles of continuous quality improvement. Her professional style and years of experience at Unity House will lend well to her newest role in QA.”

Amber Amidon served as the director of support services at Unity House for the last eight years. In that position, she was responsible for Medicaid service coordination and all agency- and state-required staff trainings. She originally joined Unity House as a Medicaid specialist in 1996, then quickly moved up to positions as a residence manager, day habilitation supervisor, and QA specialist.

“Part of what I love most about Unity House is that we are ethical and always try to do right by our consumers,” said Amidon. “I trust in what we do, and I love being part of this agency. As QA director, I can use my skills to help provide quality services to the people we serve.”

Amidon graduated cum laude from Hartwick College. She earned a B.A. in management with a minor in religion and a departmental distinction in management. She is active in her church as a co-teacher of Sunday school, and plays shortstop for the Farmington-Phelps softball league. Amber and her family live in Waterloo.

As director of quality assurance at Unity House, Amidon will be responsible for directing all quality assurance functions in accordance with agency policies and practices, and governmental regulations and administrative rulings. She will act as an independent observer of consumers’ treatment and/or program services for the purpose of providing recommendations for improvement of such services or for resolution of consumer problems. Amidon will create, implement, and monitor formal systems within the agency that ensure all programs maintain the highest quality consistent with Unity House’s mission.

For more information, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313.

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11/22/2011

UNITY HOUSE WINS HEALTHY WORKPLACE AWARD
Agency recognized for wellness initiatives, education, advocacy

Auburn, New York – Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. is a winner of the first-ever Healthy Workplace Awards, sponsored by United HealthCare in collaboration with the Central New York Business Journal and Biz Events. Winners were announced at a luncheon and recognition program in late September in Syracuse; more than 200 people were in attendance.

Unity House was one of three finalists in the Over 250 Employees, Non-Profit category. The agency was selected for its innovative, agency-wide initiatives and health-conscious programs, including a new fitness room, wellness e-newsletter, healthy cookbook, and biometric testing and risk assessment for all employees that can result in lower health insurance premiums. More than two-thirds of the agency’s 300 staff members participated.

“Our Wellness Committee has worked so hard over the past two years, and it is exciting and gratifying for them and the agency to be recognized in this way,” said Executive Director Liz Werner upon returning from the award luncheon. “Unity House is all about care giving. Yet sometimes, the caregivers forget to care for themselves. We want to encourage staff wellness and healthy choices, at work and at home.”

The Wellness Committee is part of Unity House’s three-year strategic plan, and receives full support and resources from the agency’s administration and board of directors. The committee, co-chaired by Director of Human Resources Sara Glauberman and HR Specialist Jessica Janssen, offers employees information, education, opportunity, and access to programs that support health and wellness.

This fall, the committee is offering a hydration challenge (drink at least 40 oz. of water per day for three weeks), will sponsor the second annual “I’m Dreaming of a Lighter Christmas” contest to keep weight under control over the holidays, and is looking into a 6-8 week fitness boot camp and participation in Wegmans’ “Eat Well, Live Well” program.

For more information about wellness initiatives at Unity House, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313.

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7/26/2011

UNITY HOUSE WELCOMES NEW FINANCE DIRECTOR
Christine Farrell-LaPage is promoted from within agency

Christine Farrell-LaPage, MBA

Auburn, New York – Elizabeth Werner, executive director of Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc., has announced the promotion of Christine Farrell-LaPage as director of finance. Farrell-LaPage of Syracuse has more than 20 years of experience as a controller in two publicly-held corporations and several years of public accounting experience. She began her duties on July 5.

“We are very excited to have Christine’s fresh perspective in this role,” said Werner. “She brings a for-profit mentality that is necessary for non-profits in these difficult economic times. Her previous experience will lend itself well to the fiscal components of our organization as we seek to do more with less.”

Christine Farrell-LaPage was most recently Finance Manager at Unity House for 2 ½ years. Prior to coming to Unity House in 2008, Farrell-LaPage was market controller for ten years at Citadel Broadcasting Company in Syracuse, overseeing annual revenues of $10 million. She previously served as controller at Northeast Environmental Services, Inc. in Canastota, NY.

Farrell-LaPage replaces Maxwell Haines, who served as Unity House’s finance director for 17 years.

“I am excited for the opportunity and look forward to assisting the agency with its development and growth through strategic and efficient financial tools,” said Farrell-LaPage.

Farrell-LaPage earned a B.A. in economics from Elmira College, and an M.B.A. from LeMoyne College in Syracuse. She has taught management decision-making courses for Bryant & Stratton.

She enjoys skiing, camping, golfing, traveling, music, home improvement projects and spending time with her family and husband, Pete.

As director of finance at Unity House, Farrell-LaPage will be responsible for the development, oversight and management of the agency’s general ledger in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles. She will manage the preparation of all agency budgets and required fiscal reports to governmental agencies and Unity House administration; ensure proper cash flow management; maintain adequate and accurate internal controls; and provide oversight and guidance with the agency’s annual independent audit. She supervises four employees.

For more information, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x313.

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5/16/2011

UNITY HOUSE WELCOMES NEW HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR
Sara Glauberman is promoted from within agency

Sara Glauberman, MS, PHR

Auburn, New York – Paul M. Joslyn, deputy executive director of Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc., has announced the promotion of Sara D. Glauberman as director of human resources. Glauberman will lead Unity House’s personnel and staffing resources program, ensuring compliance with labor law and regulations, and agency policy and procedure. She began her duties on April 4.

“We are delighted to promote Sara to the position of director of human resources at Unity House,” said Joslyn. “She brings with her a tremendous amount of knowledge and energy which will greatly benefit the agency in the years to come.”

Sara Glauberman was most recently human resources manager at Unity House for six years. In that position, she was responsible for managing payroll, benefits, online HR systems, and hiring processes and procedures while supervising three employees. She originally joined Unity House as mental health relief staff in 1993, working her way up through residence counselor to human resources specialist in 2002.

Sara replaces Cathy Becker, who served as human resources director from 1997 until her retirement on April 1, 2011.

“I am very excited to work with the current HR team to improve upon already-excellent processes and procedures,” said Glauberman. “So far, it has been wonderful. There are some rather large shoes to fill upon Cathy’s retirement, but I’m up to the task and ready to push forward.”

Glauberman earned a B.A. in public justice with a minor in forensic science from SUNY-Oswego, and an M.S. in organizational management with a concentration in human resources from Capella University in Minneapolis. She has been certified since 2000 as a Professional in Human Resources (PHR).

Sara is actively involved in the Auburn community, serving on the advisory council of the Cayuga County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Cayuga program, and as co-chair of Unity House’s Wellness Committee. She is a former board president of the Child Care Council of the Finger Lakes, and is a member of the Leadership Cayuga Class of 2003. She and her husband Larry own and operate LIG Sound, providing high quality mobile sound and lights to regional bands and musicians.

As director of human resources at Unity House, Glauberman will be responsible for implementing and overseeing all of the agency’s human resource functions to include talent management programs with emphasis on staff training, development, and performance management processes and systems, benefits administration and wellness initiatives, and compliance with all regulatory and labor law requirements.

For more information, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x313.

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4/12/2011

PUBLIC INVITED TO UNITY HOUSE ANNUAL DINNER
Fred Atkins Community Service Awardee to be honored

Auburn, New York – Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. cordially invites the public to its annual dinner. The special event will be held on Monday, April 25 at The Point by Springside on Sand Beach Road, Auburn. The evening will begin with cash bar at 5:30 pm, dinner at 6:15, and program at 7:00 pm. Cost is $35 per person, which includes dinner and a donation to the Fred Atkins Community Service Fund. Attendees are asked to RSVP by April 18 by calling 315-253-6227 or emailing annualdinner@unityhouse.com.

At the dinner, Mr. Alan Drennen of Auburn will be presented with the inaugural Fred Atkins Community Service Award in recognition of his volunteer activities in Cayuga County. Mr. Drennen will receive a cash award of $500 – $250 to keep and $250 to be given to a Cayuga County charitable organization of his choice; he has chosen the Calvary Food Pantry.

Unity House introduced the new community-wide fund and award this year in memory of beloved Cayuga County volunteer and 30-year Unity House board member Frederick Atkins. The Atkins Award recognizes an outstanding individual who volunteers in Cayuga County and who exemplifies Fred’s high moral standards and philanthropic spirit. Mr. Drennen knew Mr. Atkins personally: both were members of First Presbyterian Church of Auburn and volunteered together for the Boy Scouts and Calvary Food Pantry.

This year’s annual dinner is generously sponsored by Key Bank. Keynote speaker will be Virginia “Jinny” Ellis, community volunteer extraordinaire and president of the CNY Developmental Disabilities Services Organization (DDSO) Board of Visitors. She will speak on “The Power of One.” Donations to the Fred Atkins Community Service Fund are happily accepted at any time.

For more information about Unity House’s annual dinner or the Fred Atkins Community Service Fund and Award, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313 or Email and visit http://www.unityhouse.com/fredatkinsaward.html.

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3/24/2011

UNITY HOUSE ANNOUNCES VOLUNTEER AWARDEE
Al Drennen selected for inaugural Fred Atkins Community Service Award

Auburn, New York – The Fred Atkins Community Service Award selection committee is pleased to announce that Mr. Alan Drennen of Auburn has been chosen as its inaugural awardee. Mr. Drennen, an outstanding volunteer at several Cayuga County organizations, including the Calvary Food Pantry and First Presbyterian Church, will be honored at Unity House’s annual dinner on April 25, where he will receive a $500 cash prize.

Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. introduced the new community-wide fund and award this year in memory of beloved Cayuga County volunteer and 30-year Unity House board member Frederick Atkins. The Atkins Award recognizes an outstanding individual who volunteers in Cayuga County and who exemplifies Fred’s high moral standards and philanthropic spirit. Mr. Drennen knew Mr. Atkins personally: both were members of First Presbyterian Church of Auburn and volunteered together for the Boy Scouts and Calvary Food Pantry.

“We nominated Al Drennen not only because of his lifelong volunteer work on behalf of the church and the community, but also because Fred Atkins would have been so pleased to have Al as the first recipient of this award in Fred’s honor,” said The Reverend Eileen Winter of First Presbyterian Church. “Both men are known for pitching in, going the extra mile, and for sharing their talents and time. I’ll never forget seeing the two of them at the Calvary Food Pantry helping to unload a delivery truck. Fred was over 90 and Al, the ‘youngster,’ was about 87 at the time!”

Alan Drennen is a life-long Auburnian. Growing up, Al roller skated to school, and was a member of the YMCA in the 1930s when it was located on Genesee Street. He rode his bike from his Easterly Avenue home and used the pool even in the winter, with no heat and no lifeguard. However, there were hot showers, something Al didn’t have at home during the Depression. Al participated in the swim program and earned the Y-letter award.

After graduating from Auburn Center High, Al became an apprentice carpenter, then joined the Navy Seabees as a carpenter’s mate during World War II. He served in the South Pacific from 1942 – 1946, helping to build roads and landing strips out of coral. After the war, he eventually returned to Auburn and married Pat Strong Drennen. Together they raised her son Bob Strong and six of their own children. Al worked as a self-employed carpenter until retirement.

Today, at age 90, Al helps unload trucks at the Calvary Food Pantry when food is delivered. He picks up donations from churches, delivers them to the pantry, and is often on hand to help greet pantry customers. He has served as a Deacon, Elder and Trustee at First Presbyterian Church; led Boy Scout Troop 1 for many years; and has made numerous repairs and improvements for the church free of charge for years, including building a box with which to collect food for the hungry.

Because of his volunteer activity and his excellent reputation as a carpenter and businessman, Al is well known in the community. In 2008, along with four others, he was honored by the Cayuga County Office for the Aging and the Cayuga County Legislature as “Senior Citizen of the Year” for outstanding volunteer contributions to the community.

Al continues to roller skate weekly for the social and health benefits. In 1994, he placed second in the Roller Skating Nationals in Milford, Massachusetts.

Mr. Drennen will be honored at Unity House’s annual dinner, to be held on Monday, April 25 at The Point by Springside. The public is invited to attend; the dinner will begin at 5:30 pm. Cost of $35 includes dinner and a donation to the Atkins Fund. RSVP by April 18 to 315-253-6227. Additional donations to help build the fund may be made at any time.

For more information about the Fred Atkins Community Service Fund and Award or Unity House’s annual dinner, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313 or Email and visit www.unityhouse.com/fredatkinsaward.

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3/10/2011

FUNDRAISER FOR UNITY HOUSE ON APRIL 9
Doug’s Fish Fry To-Go will benefit non-profit with 10% of sales

Auburn, New York – Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. has partnered with Doug’s Fish Fry of Cortland and Skaneateles for a fundraiser in Lansing. On Saturday, April 9 from 11:00 am – 6:00 pm, Doug’s concession trailer will be parked in front of Unity House’s location in Lansing Village Place, 15 Catherwood Road (behind the McDonald’s on Triphammer Road and in front of the Pyramid Mall). The most popular menu items will be cooked to order and offered to go.

Afterwards, Unity House will receive a donation check for 10% of Doug’s Fish Fry sales from the day. Enjoy the same great seafood you love in Cortland and Skaneateles, but without the drive! Eat well and support Unity House – the more seafood our friends purchase, the larger the donation made by Doug’s.

Unity House provides housing, rehabilitative, and employment services for nearly 700 adults with disabilities in six CNY counties.

For more information about the fundraiser and Unity House, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313 or Email.

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2/14/2011

UNITY HOUSE ANNOUNCES NEW VOLUNTEER AWARD
Nominations are now being sought for outstanding community service

Auburn, New York – Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. is proud to announce a new community-wide fund and award in memory of beloved Cayuga County volunteer Frederick Atkins. The Fred Atkins Community Service Award recognizes an outstanding individual who volunteers in Cayuga County and who exemplifies Fred’s high moral standards and philanthropic spirit. Nominations are now being sought for the inaugural award. Forms may be found at www.unityhouse.com/fredatkinsaward.html and are due by March 4. The award carries with it a $500 cash prize. Donations to help build the fund may be made at any time.

The Fred Atkins Community Service Fund and Award has been established in honor and memory of Frederick J. Atkins, a beloved Cayuga County volunteer and 30-year Unity House board member. Fred passed away in 2009 at the age of 95, but not before he touched the lives and hearts of many in our community. Fred was an exemplary community servant who gave selflessly of his time and considerable accounting expertise. Upon his retirement from the Columbian Rope Company in 1978, he chose to share his considerable accounting expertise by volunteering for a number of Cayuga County organizations, among them Unity House, the Red Cross, Meals on Wheels, the D.E. French Foundation, and the Faatz-Crofut Home for the Elderly. He was known for his attention to detail and punctuality, as well as his jovial yet no-nonsense style. Fred’s children believe that volunteering after retirement contributed to their father’s longevity.

The award recipient will be honored at Unity House’s annual board dinner, to be held on Monday, April 25 at The Point by Springside. The awardee and a guest will attend the dinner as guests of Unity House; the public is welcome as well. The recipient will be presented with a cash award of $500 - $250 as a reward to the winner, and $250 to be given to a Cayuga County charitable/non-profit organization of the winner’s choice. The 2011 annual dinner is sponsored by Key Bank.

For more information about the Fred Atkins Community Service Fund and Award, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313 or visit www.unityhouse.com/fredatkinsaward.html.

11/22/2010

UNITY HOUSE RECEIVES GRANT FROM KEYBANK FOUNDATION
Monies provide new job training technology

Auburn, New York – Unity House of Cayuga County, Inc. has been awarded a $4,100 workforce development grant from the KeyBank Foundation. The funds will enhance Unity House’s supported employment training program for adults with disabilities.

The Unity Employment Services (UES) program serves approximately 90 adults with disabilities living in Cayuga County. These grant funds will enable the agency to create a state-of-the-art training lab for these individuals, ultimately improving job placements in the region and thereby reducing the unemployment rate in central New York. The monies will specifically be used to purchase technology equipment for an IT and job skills training room at the site on Corporate Drive in Auburn.

“Technology skills are increasingly the competitive edge that can help land an interview – area employers are more cognizant of training costs and are becoming more selective in this job market,” said Sue Morley, director of mental health residential services and Unity Employment Services. “This grant will support individuals with disabilities in obtaining jobs and reducing the unemployment rate, which is good for the entire region.”

The training room gives consumers the ability to conduct online research to help identify their personal career goals, navigate the job search process, and develop resumes and cover letters. UES staff supports them throughout the hire process and provides a continuum of intensive and extended service for long-term success, economic self-sufficiency, and quality of life.

“KeyBank believes in giving back to its communities by assisting those agencies and organizations who make a difference in the lives of many,” said Jeffrey Eades, vice president and senior relationship manager at Key. “Unity House of Cayuga County has been a great community partner and Key is proud to assist in sponsoring their job development and training program.”

KeyBank Foundation, through its civic programs, corporate contributions, and volunteerism, supports organizations that foster economic self-sufficiency, principally where KeyBank operates. As a corporate neighbor, the nonprofit charitable foundation advances economic self-sufficiency through its funding priorities, which help communities and individuals prosper: financial education, workforce development, and diversity. The KeyBank Foundation made total contributions of $18.1 million in 2007.

For more information about this grant, please contact Director of Marketing and Development Kelly Buck at 315.253.6227 x 313.

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