October Birthdays Norma Bocanegra – 10/1

Ma hew Pasquarella – 10/1Cortney Anderson – 10/4

Lizzie Vazquez – 10/5Sally Heron – 10/8Seth Girod – 10/9Lisa Schult – 10/9

Courtney Rhines – 10/11Sally Burns – 10/14

Talor Struckmann – 10/15Nicole Coonly – 10/21

Cornelia Meredith – 10/21Lisa Zuppa – 10/21

Krista Fenske – 10/22Aaron Garmon – 10/26Wanda Jimenez – 10/31

October AnniversariesAva Encarnacion – 2 years

Carly Kane – 2 yearsSheila Marcheson- 4 years

Sally Burns – 6 years

Your Con nued Dedica on and HardWork Are No ced and Appreciated!

– The Management Team

CONNECTIONS CONTRIBUTORS

PUBLISHER/LAYOUT JOHN CAROCCIEDITOR KIMBERLY HARDING

CONTRIBUTORS SHEILA MARCHESONDAMIAN MARTINEZ, JOHNNY MORA

ON THE COVER: GUARANTY BUILDINGPHOTOGRAPH BY JOHN CAROCCI

Before the Gay & Bisexual Men’s Discussion Group came to an end back in March, a few of the guys men oned an old book club that existed for queer men and how they wished it was s ll around. When I brought up the idea of star ng a new gay men’s book club, there was a lot of energy and excitement from everyone in the group and from the community in general but, from experience, I have learned that energy and excitement doesn’t always mean great a endance. Needless to say, I was worried that I’d be the only one in the club, but I went ahead with star ng the group and I’m so glad I did. The book club started in May and I decided that it would only run through the summer. I fi gured it would sound more appealing if it was a “limited me only” deal. I have had an average of eleven members at each of the book discussions which were held at cafes in Buff alo, Amherst and Tonawanda. Since our fi rst mee ng, we have read: The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller – I absolutely LOVED this book! I was worried that I wouldn’t fi nd a love story between two men

believable if it was wri en by a heterosexual woman. Well, Madeline Miller made me eat it! I highly recommend this book. The Lover’s Dic onary by David Levithan – This was the shortest, most awesome book EVER! The author took words from his “word of the day” pad from his desk and decided that he would defi ne the words by applying them to his rela onship. It was brilliant and I am mad I didn’t think to do it fi rst! The Stranger’s Child by Alan Hollinghurst – DO NOT READ THIS BOOK! Currently, we are reading our fi nal book of the season, The Perks of Being a Wallfl ower by Stephen Chbosky and, so far, I think it’s an awesome book – very “Catcher in the Rye –ish”. The Gay Men’s Summer Book Club will have its last group discussion on September 20th and then, as a fi nal good bye, the group plans to see The Perks of Being a Wallfl ower which comes out in theaters Friday, September 21st. Let it be known that the guys who asked me to start the book club – and were “so excited” it was going to happen – never showed. #storyofmylife C

GAY MEN’SBOOK CLUB

by Damian Mar nez

A shampoo commercial used to say, "you never get a second chance to make a first impression." In fact, studies have shown we begin to form our lasting opinions of other people

within 7 to 12 seconds of meeting them, and a bad first impression can be difficult — if not impossible — to overcome. At Evergreen Health Services, we work hard to make sure the first impression our visitors and callers receive is of a caring group of professionals who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. Fortunately, we have a bit of a "secret weapon" in Administrative Assistant Johanna Aponte. Johanna's friendly smile and warm demeanor put first time visitors and callers at ease almost immediately, regardless of the circumstances. Johanna took a circular route to Evergreen Health Services. Born and raised in Jayuya, Puerto Rico, Johanna came to Buffalo at the age of 13. After two years in Buffalo she moved to Lacoochee, Florida, and then two years after that she returned to Buffalo. In December, 2004, she began work at Evergreen Health Services (then AIDS Community Services). "I remember when I was offered the job at ACS," says Johanna. "I went home and started practicing saying AIDS Community Services, this is Johanna

Johan"Johanna is always able to bring a smile to anyone’s face whethe

Editor’s Note: this is a sneak previ

speaking, how can I help you?" That practice must have paid off, because Johanna somehow makes a tough job look easy. In addition to working the switchboard for one of the agency's busiest areas, a typical day for Johanna includes filing, scanning, screening walk-in clients, translation and keeping track of staff schedules. Through it all — the daily chaos, new phone and computer systems to learn, extensions to memorize, even an agency-wide name change — her smile never wavers. "There is nothing that I don't like about my job," says Johanna. "I am very happy where I am and with the people I work with." The feeling is mutual. Johanna's co-workers gush with praise for Johanna's "smiling face" and "amazing personality", and go so far as to say "the fourth floor could never function without Johanna!" Clients seem to feel the same way. Johanna often receives phone calls from clients who just want to say thank you for everything she does. "Sometimes clients call just to talk," explains Johanna. "They say I always answer the phone with a smile, and if they're having a bad day they'll call me because it seems like their day gets better after talking to me. One client even called me to ask how to

make fried chicken without flour!" Says a co-worker, "I honestly believe many clients come back because of the kind spirit of Johanna Aponte — the kindness they received when first coming to the fourth floor and continue to receive today." All this sounds too good to be true, so I ask Johanna if there's anything she doesn't like about her work at Evergreen Health Services. "Sometimes I'm just not able to help a client," she says. "Sometimes it's just out of my hands, but I always try to find an answer or someone that could help. I also hate seeing newly diagnosed clients still coming in the door. It seems they are getting younger and younger." Outside of work, Johanna is mom to four children, ages 18, 14, 11 and 2. This means a full slate of baseball and softball and cheerleading events to attend. She also enjoys puzzles, reading, and she recently taught herself to crochet via YouTube. The big item on Johanna's bucket list is a trip to Spain. Evergreen Health Services is fortunate to have Johanna Aponte at the front lines, making a great first impression for us. Our staff and clients alike have come to depend on Johanna's professionalism, her caring, compassionate nature, and of course, her signature greeting: "buenas morning!" C

Story and Photo by John Caroccinna Aponteer it be staff or a client. She has a way of making everyone around her feel relaxed and comfortable."

iew of a pro ile that will appear in the upcoming issue of Pathways Magazine!

My perfect day would consist of hiking a gorge trail alone, cam-era in hand, on a cool autumn morning. At lunchtime, I’d stop at a babbling brook to put my feet in the water, watch damselfl ies caress the water, and have a bite to eat from my backpack before continuing my hike. As evening approached, I’d set up my tent on a grassy knoll. Aft erward, I would sit upon a rock formation which overlooks the gorge to have the last rays of a beautiful sunset alight upon me before night fell. - Kimberly Harding

My perfect day is usually spent on the golf course with comfort-able temperatures, clear skies, light winds, friends, and some lucky bounces my way! Cold beverages help too!

- Patrick Butler

I don’t like to travel, but I love to explore. My perfect day would be spent wandering around a strange neighborhood or an unfamiliar city. Nature is nice too, but it’s too easy for me to lose my bearings. - John Carocci

Th e Co

onnections Question

Central Terminal - Photos by John Carocci

T he Substance Abuse Ini a ve at Evergreen Health Services is a referral-based program designed to guide substance abusers into treatment. Harm Reduc on Counselors Pratheep

Sakas and Tiff any Macauley work diligently to engage substance abusers, build a trus ng rela onship, and link them to the treatment op on that is most appropriate for their situa on. “Treatment” can mean a number of things, from total abs nence in a rehabilita on program to drug replacement strategies such as the buprenorphine (suboxone) treatment program administered by Dr. Gbadamosi and the Evergreen Medical Group (Editor’s Note: Dr. Gbadamosi is one of only 20 doctors in the Western New York area cer fi ed to treat clients with buprenorphine). Buprenorphine has replaced methadone as the treatment drug of choice for opiate addic on, as its use is less rigidly controlled and it has

referr

a lower poten al for abuse. Pratheep and I make ourselves available in the Syringe Exchange area to meet with clients on an individual basis to discuss any substance abuse related issues the client may be facing. Some simply need a listening ear, but other clients will express a desire to stop using. At that point, we try to engage them and give them informa on about the op ons available to them. Drug and alcohol abuse and addic on have many dimensions and disrupt many aspects of an individual’s life, so the decision to enter a treatment program is diffi cult, but we are there to guide them through the process with informa on and compassion. Knowing what choices are available, and what each process will be like, can help clients prepare themselves to take that fi rst step. Our program is very client centered, and we treat each client on a case by case basis. We can even help clients without health insurance go to rehab, because we maintain

rela onships with treatment providers throughout Western New York in our eff ort to ensure clients are referred to the most appropriate places. Some clients start their journey to recovery with a trip to the nearest hospital emergency room for a medical detox if they are in withdrawal. Clients who are opiate-, benzodiazepine- or alcohol-dependent are possible candidates for detox. Withdrawal from benzodiazepines is dangerous, and alcohol withdrawal can be deadly. Heroin withdrawal, as unpleasant as it is, is not considered deadly. In a detox situa on, clients are systema cally taken off drugs under a physician’s supervision, but this doesn’t address the psychological, behavioral or social issues which caused the addic on and so follow-up treatment is o en necessary a er detox is complete. A er detox, we can refer the client to a thirty day inpa ent rehabilita on. This can be a challenge, par cularly if they haven’t had experience with

outpa ent treatment. Many programs want to see that the client has a empted an outpa ent program in the past. The primary focus is medical stabiliza on, abs nence and lifestyle change. Most inpa ent rehabs in this area prac ce a modifi ed twelve step approach with clients. Once a client completes rehab we can refer them to various outpa ent treatment facili es. Some clients may need referrals to psychologists or professional licensed counselors. Therapy can help individuals understand their behavior and mo ves, develop self esteem and learn healthy coping strategies in dealing with stress. For those clients who have completed rehab but feel they need addi onal support, clients can be referred to sober living. There are 35 sober living homes in Buff alo. Even a er sober living, some clients relapse. Clients can fi nd themselves in a vicious cycle of recovery and relapse. We are here for clients to see them through. If there is a will, there is a way.

P R O G R A M S P O T L I G H T

rals that make senseby Tiff any Macauley, Harm Reduction Counselor

substance abuse initiative

When I was younger, I tried to save a baby bird by feeding it some of my egg roll. The poor birdie died almost immediately. I was devastated.I am a le y; however, I cannot usemy mouse with my le hand.Yuuuuuuuuuppppppp!!! All my Storage Wars fans will understand this one, lol.I cannot swim. I want to learnbut I am so scared. I love amusement parks.I’m like a big kid. White Castle is the best! I always makea stop at this place when I go back home.If Double Dutch was anOlympic sport, I’d win gold.I learned how to drive when I was 26.Moving up here made me realizethe actual need for a car.Old school hip hop is my favorite.Last but not least… I loathe cheese.

I collect anything Ariel/ Li le MermaidI went to Paris and London last yearfor New Year’sI have been working at EHS forover 4 yearsI have a 5 yr old Pomeraniannamed Tova I hate coff ee but absolutely love teaMy mother is my heroI am obsessed with Mighty Taco I change my nail polish at leasttwice a weekMy middle name is LeeI love the Sex and the Citytv series/movies

I’m obsessed with horror culture, mostly zombies, and am planningto get a huge zombie ta oo.I have a Hellraiser shrine in mybedroom, with comic books signedby Doug Bradley (Pinhead)! My background is mostly incouples counseling. I have 6 pets; 3 cats, 2 rats and a snake. I secretly (or I guess not so secretly) love Hanson and have seen themtwice in concert. Don’t judge. I was born in Georgia.I used to make my own clothesin high school.My husband and I are from the same hometown, but didn’t meet ‘ l college. I love anything horror-related, but Haunted Houses freak me out!I have been afraid of horses forever,but recently conquered my fearwhile on vaca on!

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Keisha Leavy Mindi Mietlicki Ashlee Rudolph

I recently learned from Nicole C. that I’m supposed to sit in a booster seat because I’m only 4’9”I don’t know what my name meansI can’t swimI went to Cosmetology school(I’m not licensed)I have a tape fe sh (don’t judge me)I have 7 siblingsSpring and Fall are my favorite seasonsI enjoy travelingI love amusement parks androller coastersI enjoy listening to all genres of music

My full name is Ivana B. Saphe.As you can see, I’m very stylish. This ou it is a Johnny Mora original.I like reminding visitors to be safe.I hate it when people call me a dummy.My skin has a silvery nt that I getfrom using Krylon skin care products.I’m kind of hot for someone whodoesn’t have a face.That’s my BFF Jamila in the picturewith me. I think she’s jealous of my hat.Believe it or not this dress is completely waterproof!Fortunately I’m not allergic to hot glue.I love my home in the tes ng area.

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Amajaraya Hunter Ivana B.

5fi verandomfacts

S U B M I T T E D B Y K I M H A R D I N G

While not used o en in computer terminology,the term for half a byte is called a “nibble”.“Sugar Daddy” was coined by Alma Spreckelsas a nickname for her husband, Adolph — headof Spreckels Sugar Company — who was 24years her senior.Every American ci zen is en tled to a freecopy of their credit report every 12 months.By the me you go to bed at night, you are about 1 cen meter shorter than when you woke up that morning. This is because the car lage between your bones is compressed throughout the day.Johnny Appleseed set out to plant appletrees for hard cider, not for ea ng.

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Back in Ecuador, I remember my older rela ves

dressing up as hippies back in the ‘70s, perhaps as an

homage to the Woodstock fes val in 1969. From the

highway, Woodstock New York always seemed to be

off the way to my fi nal des na on. However I had the

chance to visit this enchanted place, where some of

the people had never le , and to make this experience

more exci ng, I was lucky enough to see a li le parade,

which was part of the Woodstock Transi onal Fes val

2012. The marchers were very colorful and crea ve

with their costumes, signs and music.

by Johnny Mora