JACOB
Marsh is Evergreen's senior graphic designer (and style icon), working in the Marketing and Communications department. You've definitely seen his work, from larger-than-life billboards and bus shelters out in the community to the graphics displayed on walls and windows all around Evergreen.
Unified, consistent branding - which includes typefaces, colors and style - is a critical part of marketing. It makes our materials instantly recognizable and promotes Evergreen and Community Access Services as trustworthy, stable and professional. Though the entire MarCom team works together to produce our materials, as senior graphic designer Jacob oversees all branding to make sure it's as powerful and effective as possible.
"My responsibilities are rather broad," said Jacob. "But at a base level I'm creating visuals for social media, print, websites, and large-scale projects like building signage and billboards. On a smaller scale I'm overseeing the overall brand implementation at Evergreen and CAS, reviewing where signage should be hung, producing and ordering business cards and envelopes, making swag items for the organization. The list is fairly broad and it’s a nice way to keep me on my toes."
Evergreen and CAS utilize the graphics Jacob produces in a variety of ways. "I don't see our patients face-to-face for services, but it's always rewarding to me knowing that I likely created something (rack card, bus shelter poster, social media post), that someone saw and thought, 'Oh, I need that service, and I need that sort of support, and now I know Evergreen Health can help me'. Being that connecting factor between our services and our patients makes the work I do feel worth it. I like seeing people show up at our events, which means they saw what I made and decided they wanted to be there. Seeing staff and patients wear shirts that I design, or the pins from the Huddle means a lot to me. I don’t always think that people know what we do in Marketing, especially what
I'VE ALWAYS FELT ACCEPTED AND COMFORTABLE BEING MYSELF AT EVERGREEN. - JACOB MARSH
we do as designers, but seeing the items we work hard to produce be used is always rewarding."
Jacob notes that there are challenges to his work. "I think the main challenge I tend to face is time, lots of projects come to us with tight turnarounds and we must bust our booties to get them done on time. Also, every department within the organization relies on us for support, to get their information out there, so that can be a lot to contend with."
Jacob has been with Evergreen for nearly 10 years. He says interactions with Evergreen staff were what first pulled him in our direction. "I worked at Starbucks. Evergreen staff would always come into the store, everyone was so nice and kind. Since starting out as an admin for Marketing all the way until now I've always felt accepted and comfortable being myself at Evergreen. We do some heavy work, but it’s always encouraging to see smiles and be greeted by everyone when they see you walk by, it makes even the bad days easier to handle."
What does the future hold? "I want to see Evergreen be able to do more for the community, to be able to reach more people and provide lifesaving services, to really accomplish our BHAG. We already do amazing work and I want more people to benefit from that. Evergreen is a beacon of support for so many marginalized groups, especially now. MarCom being able to support that effort and do larger scale campaigns to make sure people know about Evergreen is something I
look forward to being able to do. Not only supporting our external communities but championing and sharing more of our staff's accomplishments both internally and externally as well."
Jacob grew up in Bear Lake, Pennsylvania and attended school in Panama, New York. "I was back and forth across the border daily. Growing up in a tiny rural area my childhood was mostly spent hanging out with my two brothers and my parents. I moved to Buffalo for college and graduated from Villa Maria with a specialization in animation and stayed in the area, obvi. My work resume is fairly small, Gamestop, Starbucks, and then Evergreen! I've worked at Daddy's Plants on the side since starting here, and I do freelance graphic design here and there as well, which I love."
Outside of work Jacob keeps busy with a variety of interests. "My partner Jared and I purchased a home in the City of Tonawanda and we are working on remodeling it ourselves, so that takes up a lot of our free time. Overhauling the landscaping has been a big project lately, as well as painting the outside this year. I recently adopted three cats, and split custody of my two dogs with my ex. I love cooking and baking, and do so very often, I'm also part of a natural wine club so I enjoy pairing those with the meals. Interior design, graphic design, woodworking, landscaping, anime, being active, and more recently embroidery. I love a good grandma hobby. I also try to get to as many dance parties as possible, the perils of having so many good DJ friends."
Final words? "I love Evergreen, and I love everyone who dedicates their time to making Evergreen what it is, for championing each other, and the work we do. Everyone’s success is very important to me."
Thank you, Jacob, for all you do to keep Evergreen "on brand"!
Evergreen celebrated National Health Care Center Week with a full slate of educational - and fun - events. Kudos to everyone who worked together to make it such a success!
Community Access Services held its annual Backpack Giveaway and Community Fair. We gave out 350 free backpacks filled with school supplies ahead of the new school season! The event is one of our favorites, filled with fun, food and connection to helpful information and services for our neighbors and community members.
National Health Center Week concluded with a Team
Evergreen appreciation day at Six Flags Darien Lake.
This summer, Evergreen’s Jamestown Syringe Service Program (SSP) team celebrated 10 years of providing unconditional harm reduction services in the Southern Tier. Our SSP team doesn’t just help people who use drugs reduce their risk of overdose and access medical and behavioral care: they go above and beyond to create a supportive, non-judgmental environment that builds community and changes lives. We sat down with the Jamestown SSP team to hear about it in their own words.
How has the Syringe Service Program strengthened the Jamestown community?
“The overdose epidemic hit rural communities especially hard. People were scrambling to respond, but not all approaches were equally beneficial. The SSP coming to the community pushed some boundaries, but in time people realized that it saved a lot of lives. Our impact rippled throughout the treatment community to advocate for person-centered, research-based approaches to addiction and recovery.” - Ian Eastman, harm reduction center manager
How do syringe and harm reduction services improve the lives of your patients?
“Many of my patients wouldn’t have the ability to consider other recovery options because without harm reduction services they wouldn’t be here. Simply put, it saves lives and opens doors!” - Amy Waild, recovery peer advocate
“It increases their circle of support. They need nonjudgmental people they can talk to about the specifics of what they’re going through. These relationships have been instrumental in helping people avoid illness, injury and death.” - Ian Eastman
Why is unconditional access to harm reduction services important for people who use drugs?
"I’ve always remembered something a colleague said years ago: ‘There are lots of programs that push people who use drugs away. Harm reduction looks at the same reality but finds ways to invite people
in closer.’ Isolation kills, but community builds. A program like ours may be the only place a person is accessing health care at this point in their life. Stigma in many medical and treatment settings has caused them so much trauma. It’s vitally important that the Harm Reduction Center counters those negative experiences with positive ones." - Ian Eastman
"Unconditional access allows the individual the ability to make choices for themselves, in a world that often says they aren’t worthy to do so. Given the opportunity and encouragement, people want to be healthy, want to be heard, and want to be respected. When this is consistently provided, this opens the door to building more opportunities for more growth." - Amy Waild
What is your favorite part of your job?
"The best part of my job has been the unique opportunity to get to know so many patients – some for all 10 years! They embody and affirm life lessons. I admire their bravery to stand against stigma and discrimination, their strength to live with pain, power to overcome trauma, their loyalty to their tribe and their gratitude for what they have. Our patients enrich our team and make us better." - Carolee Corbitt, syringe service program navigator
For me, it would be meeting people where they are and being blessed to walk with them as they experience really being seen and heard for the amazing, beautiful creations they are. Everyone’s path is different, and I get to let them experience that without judgment at their own pace. Every day I get to learn how strong and resilient people can be when given the opportunity to be heard, encouraged, and supported." - Amy Waild
Jamestown Syringe Service Program team, your passion and dedication to your patients shines through your words and through all that you do. Congratulations on 10 years, and here’s to many more.
Friday, September 5 (Season opener on Sunday)
Friday, September 12 (Sunday game)
Thursday, September 18 (Thursday game)
Friday, September 26 (Sunday game)
Friday, October 3 (Sunday game)
Monday, October 13 (Monday game)
BYE WEEK (football term for a week off)
Friday, October 24 (Sunday game)
Friday, October 31 (Sunday game)
Friday, November 7 (Sunday game)
Friday, November 14 (Sunday game)
Thursday, November 20 (Thursday game)
Friday, November 28 (Sunday game)
Friday, December 5 (Sunday game)
Friday, December 12 (Sunday game)
Friday, December 19 (Sunday game)
Friday, December 26 (Sunday game)
Last game TBD, so stay tuned! (final game in old stadium)
Erica Gonzalez September 1
Kala Morales ....................................... September 3
Mark Wolf September 3
Alexis Pierce September 5
Neahsia Maye September 5
Tamika Potts September 6
Christy Vega September 6
Sheila Solomon .................................. September 6
Melissa Miller September 6
Bridget McClain September 10
Brianna Zych September 10
Stephanie Mineo September 10
Michael Lee September 10
Paulette Giarratano ........................... September 11
Joseph Dabney September 11
Robert Styles September 14
Kimberly Lombard September 15
Lydia Guzman September 15
Charm Stone September 15
Latrese Myers ..................................... September 15
Sophia Blyden September 16
Fatai Gbadamosi September 16
Eris Morgan September 16
Dakota Huston September 16
Jessica Schanne September 17
Julie Vaughan ..................................... September 17
Steven Argo September 20
Christopher Walsh September 21
Julie Falk September 22
Ivette Chavez-Gonzalez September 24
Jessica Beebe September25
Samuel Posey ..................................... September 26
Jennifer Rivera September 28
Shanea McDougald September 28
Drew Williams September 29
Beth Barone-Gregory September 29
Annual Trainings Due September 30
Round 1 of annual training is due on September 30. Annual training is required for all staff to complete; there are company trainings, policies, and acknowledgments. All trainings you are required to complete are assigned in your Evergreen University profile. If you have any questions, please contact evergreentraining@development via Outlook.
403 ( b) Recordkeeper Transition
Option 1: Monday, September 15, 10 – 10:30am (VIRTUAL)
Option 2: Thursday, September 18, 10 – 10:30am (VIRTUAL)
Our 403(b) recordkeeper is transitioning from Vanguard to ADP. This training will provide a walkthrough of the new website and details on how to manage your 403(b) retirement plan through ADP. Click HERE to register.
Retirement/Financial Planning
Option 1: Monday, September 15 (VIRTUAL)
Option 2: Thursday, September 18 (VIRTUAL)
15 minute one-on-one meetings available with a Lawley adviser to discuss your retirement plan between 12-2pm on these days. Click HERE to register.
Understanding Your Wellbeing
Monday, September 17 (click HERE to enroll) Presentation
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Team Evergreen collected school supplies for students in our community. Thank you to everyone who helped organize the drive, and everyone who donated!
Upper left: Denise, Julie and Bekki got the memo for appropriate Friday work wear. Thank you Bekki for the great photo! Right: Team Evergreen presented the annual Drug User Health Coalition patient event in honor of Overdose Awareness Day at Front Park.
Publisher/Layout
John Carocci
Copy
Editors
Jean Conway
Kristy Mangel
Maggie Carrig
Contributors
Eric Poniatowski
Jean Conway
Adiah Powell
Connections is the official monthly newsletter for employees and board members of Evergreen Health and Community Access Services. You can submit photos, comments or a "hello" via Outlook at Evergreen Connections.