House Decorating Contest
Each year, the community housing division gets into the spirit of Halloween by holding a friendly (but fiercely competitive) contest between the houses for best Halloween decorations. Residents work with staff to set up multi-colored light displays, lots of skeletons cavorting and floating apparitions. The results are nothing less than spooktacular! Community Housing Director Bill Krayss and his family go around to each house and determine the winners. Congratulations to everyone, and thank you for your creativity.
Community Housing’s Own Ernestine Gayle Wins Statewide Direct Service Professional of the Year Award
As mentioned in the feature article, Ernestine Gayle received the Richard Schonhorn Direct Support Professional of the Year Award at Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York State conference. Ernestine is a wonderful person who radiates love and warmth, and ensures that the people she supports receive excellent care. Everyone at Empower loves Ernestine, and we are thrilled that she was recognized with this well-deserved award. Congratulations, Ernestine. You are simply the very best, and we love you!
Russ Pulvino Also Recognized at CP State Conference
Russ Polvino (right), CP State awardee, selling cookies and fudge at annual Basket Auction
Each year, Empower selects one winner from each of its divisions to be honored at Cerebral Palsy Associations of New York conference. Russ Polvino was selected as Community Housing’s awardee for his excellent management of two Empower homes and a HUD apartment complex. In addition, Russ serves on the Empower basket auction committee and donates hundreds of baskets and premium items as well as assembling baskets and making varieties of delicious fudge and the event’s signature snowflake cookies. Congratulations, Russ, on this well-deserved honor.
Internal Dinner Awardees
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- Justin Harvey was honored for 30 years of service.
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- Tina Joynson was recognized for 25 years of service.
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- Russ Polvino received a 20 years of service award.
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- Director of Community Housing Bill Krayss was honored for 20 years of service.
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- April Alderson received the Robert DiFrancesco Award
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- Julie Bissell was Empower’s Person of the Year.
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- Patricia Rappleyea was honored for 15 years of service.
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- Kadejah Hamilton, Martina Mulkey and Carole Painter were honored for 5 years of service.
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- The George Optical Award was given to Carole Painter.
At Empower’s internal dinner, many employees were recognized for their years of service with the agency. In addition, Carole Painter received the George Optical Award for the excellent care she provides to the people Empower supports. April Alderson received the Robert DiFrancesco Award for her reliable work ethic and for going above and beyond by taking a person she supports to Artpark for its Tuesday night concerts.
Finally, Julie Bissell was recognized as Empower’s Person of the Year for her friendly and sweet demeanor as well as for living at the Mapleton IRA for 20 years.
Congratulations to all awardees.