Positive Change Heroes: Arnaldo "AJ" Jara

1.       Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, and what brought you to Alliance?

AJ: I've been at Alliance a little over 14 years, now. I got my Bachelor's in Psychology and had been working with children ages 3-6 who had behavioral issues. Then I started working with adult populations and that brought me to Alliance.

I came to NJ from Peru when I was 3. I grew up speaking Spanish and English. I was raised and stayed in Hudson County.

I'm an avid runner, so I love getting some miles in before work.

2.       Have you always been into running?

AJ: Not at all. I was a terrible runner and athlete as a kid, but I got into running when COVID-19 started. While everything was closed, I needed to get outside. At first, I couldn't even run a 1/2 mile. But I needed to be doing something, and the runner’s high is real. Now I run along the waterfront, across the George Washington Bridge, anywhere. I've done many half marathons and I've run solo marathons.

3.       Shifting gears a little, can you tell me about what you do at Alliance and what your program does?

AJ: I'm Director of Care Management at Alliance. Care Management is our Health Homes program which serves NYC Medicaid-recipients who have a qualifying condition. The program aims to reduce emergency hospitalizations and long-term health issues. We work with our participant’s doctors, state and federal housing and other agencies, and we accompany them to important appointments. Many of these patients have trouble navigating all their health troubles and the Health Homes program significantly improves all health outcomes, from HIV viral loads to stable housing to the interpersonal relationships our participants have.

4.       And how long have you been in Care Management?

AJ: The whole 14+ years I’ve been here. I started as an Assistant Case Manager (what Care Coordinators were called). While I’m currently in a leadership position overseeing 4 teams, I’m still hands on with clients meeting with them and even accompanying them to the field as needed.

5.       Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?

AJ: Seeing participants get their health to a level of stability makes me happy. A lot of them continue to come here, where they feel safe, and feel treated with respect.

It also makes me happy to see Peers become full-time staff. It's amazing to see them better themselves health-wise, and professionally. Currently some of the people in our Care Management team used to be former peer interns.

6.       If you could change anything about the healthcare system, what would you do?

AJ: I'd put more of those resources into treating dementia, Alzheimer’s, and cancer. The elderly is a population that continues to be overlooked who, in my opinion, need the support the most. I’d make access to critical services such as homecare services and 24/7 care become a standard of care.

7.       If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

AJ: If I won the lottery, I'd make sure the people in my life were taken care of before I spent anything on myself. If time and money weren't factors, I would get even more into running, I'd be a running coach and fly everywhere to run around the world.

8.       So what should people know about you outside of work, besides your running?

AJ: AJ outside of work loves peace and quiet. Having a life outside of work is super important. You need to have that; work shouldn't be everything. I’m also an avid animal lover, I have two cats and a chihuahua at home. The cats are mine, the chihuahua is my fiancé’s.

Positive Change Heroes: Jossiel

Photo: David Nager/Alliance

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

I was born in the Dominican Republic and came to USA when I was 14 years old. I’m a gay man with a Master’s degree in Social Work and have been at Alliance for almost a decade.

My mother wanted me to be a lawyer, so I went to college and graduated with three majors: French, Philosophy, and Psychology, thinking that would be a good combination to get me into Law School. My interest in social work initiated at 19 by attending support groups and then volunteering for a non-profit. After graduating college, I got a job as a Health Educator leading groups and providing educational sessions at another non-profit primarily helping Latino gay and bi-sexual men—I joined the Alliance family a couple of years after that.

2.    Tell me about your current program/service and what problem it solves.

I currently work in our Health Homes Care Management program, helping Medicaid recipients living with chronic medical conditions and experiencing social barriers in accessing care, such as homelessness, food insecurity, mental health challenges, income, etc... We see that people experiencing these barriers are more likely to get sicker. Our goal is to keep them from needing to be hospitalized with life-threatening situations by addressing these barriers. We help them get to medical appointments, receive guidance on securing needed benefits, and maintain a healthier life-style.

I supervise a team of case workers and mentor three Peers currently: Rinaldo, Steven, and Brittany. Some of the peers I supervised over the years started as clients and are currently part of the Alliance Staff. I help Peers use their lived experience to serve as an example for clients. They can reach clients in ways I cannot.

3.    How has social work changed since you’ve been in the field?

My career has changed as it is now more administrative and supervisory than directly with clients. My client case load used to be 60 clients, back in 2014—many with barriers like homelessness, no phone access—but now I supervise a team who meets with these people. I consider my team’s clients my clients, and I know a good amount of them by face and voice. Not all 300, but most.   

4.    What about the rise of telehealth?

Yes, telehealth. The pandemic really made it more mainstream, and there are pros and cons. Accessibility is a pro for people who are tech savvy. But you might miss certain non-verbal cues. Some clients at Alliance really struggled with telehealth because of income status, internet connectivity issues, or tech-savviness. Most of the people who want face to face interaction might not feel as comfortable with it, so we tried even early on in the pandemic to accommodate by meeting face to face in the community. However, I feel that telehealth is an additional method we can use maintain clients engaged.

5.    Is there an achievement or contribution you are particularly proud of?

I think we have to look at each case individually. Some goals are easier to achieve than others. Most clients can use one achievement to jump start another. Some have used securing stable housing to immediately enroll in our Peer Training program, or go back to school, or start a family.

In order to service our clients, we need to get creative. There’s no cookie cutter way. I had a client living with dementia who initially couldn’t remember our sessions. He always wanted to go back to Puerto Rico, where he was from, but had no family—and he couldn’t remember this, either. I found we could keep him engaged when I made our visits both social as well as clinical. I’d play cards with him. Sometimes I’d bring Peers with me so it felt like more of a full house. And in accompanying him to medical appointments, we were doing more than just talking.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

In addition to working at Alliance full-time, I also work part-time as a psychotherapist with about 14 clients weekly. I am working toward getting my LCSW (clinical license). When I leave here, I usually work four more hours, primarily telehealth because it is easier for the clients I get assigned.

7.     So social work is a big part of your life. Do you have a philosophy for approaching the work?

All clients are unique. One thing that’s necessary to keep in all interactions is a smile. You never know what someone is going through and greeting them with a smile can be a good start.

8.    Tell me about Jossiel outside of work (here and psychotherapy work)

I enjoy drawing, dancing, exploring the city and socializing. I like to do things that are fun. As a kid, I took art and swimming classes. I like to swim and garden. I do not have a garden at the moment but have a lot of plants—orchids, succulents, others.

Positive Change Heroes: Eddie and Joel

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

Eddie: I'm a 49-year-old Nuyorican from the Bronx. I served in the Marine Corps for several years. I'm a phlebotomist by trade, that's what I'm certified In.

My mother died in 1999 from complications from AIDS. She wasn't taking her medication. I wanted to work in this field to try to remove stigmas and make sure other people's mothers and loved ones got access to care.

I took a Peer training with N.Y.H.R.E in 2004 and worked in the field at pretty much every harm reduction provider in Harlem and the South Bronx. I started working at Alliance in 2020 as a case manager. I've provided HIV and hepatitis testing and linkage to care to thousands of people.

Joel: I’m a 32-year-old Puerto Rican from the Bronx, and I am the dad of a Siberian Husky named Henry. I was a client, got trained in Narcan use and overdose response, and decided to complete the CRPA (Certified Recovery Peer Advocate) training. I’ve been able to since get hired at Alliance to lead outreach efforts, counsel participants, and much more. I’m currently the Harm Reduction Manager at LESHRC.

2.    Tell me about your current program/service and what problem it solves.

Eddie: As the Harm Reduction Coordinator at Alliance LES Harm Reduction Center, my job is to help people at all stages with all sorts of services. I've helped people find housing, find treatment for hepatitis C and HIV/AIDS, and of course with plenty of syringe exchange services. Narcan and fentanyl test strips trainings are a big part of my job. "I want you to quote me on this: no one should die because they used a drug."

Joel: I work on our Choices program which connects people who use opioids to harm reduction, Medication-Assisted Treatment (MAT), and recovery services. We do individual group counseling, support groups, events, and find what services in-house or with government programs can best serve people.

3.    How has harm reduction changed since you've been working in the field?

Eddie: When I first started, we weren't even allowed to carry around Narcan, it was illegal. We faced all these arbitrary limits to what we could provide people who use drugs. Now, maybe because more of middle America is being affected by overdoses, people are waking up.

Joel: There has definitely been more access, and a lot more understanding of how important this work has been. Stats back up the importance of harm reduction, but they don’t tell the human experience, which I get to see firsthand how we help people. Harm reduction is all about meeting people where they are. After all, someone’s goals today might be different in a month, but just being consistently there for them feels really important.  

4.     What else should we—Alliance, and the greater harm reduction movement—be doing?

Eddie: There are some kiosks in the Bronx where groups I volunteer with where people can access sterile syringes and other harm reduction supplies. Before joining Alliance, I was working at BOOM!Health and was interviewed by Fox 5 News’ Lisa Evers. I trained her in how to use Narcan. I think more media trainings, like Joel recently did for The New York Times, and informational projects like Who’s Got Narcan? , a video two professional filmmakers helped us develop.

Joel: Having the conversation and making those services available is essential. Many people are afraid of losing access to services, so creating a safe space where they can talk about anything with their case managers, can help them with not just their harm reduction and substance use, but all around physical and behavioral well-being.

5.    Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?

Eddie: I think with my years of experience, I bring a level of calm and confidence to the syringe center. I think people can see my passion for the work, which Is good for staff and participants. We're not pushing our opinions on people. I make it my business that whenever we get a new volunteer, I give them a thorough training. People come to us high, and sometimes overdose in the office, so we have to be ready. We’ve saved a lot of lives at our office, and I’ve saved a lot of lives out of the office too. 

Joel: Kicking off, we had a staff shortage that we’ve fortunately filled since, but I heard from a lot of participants how they’ve felt safer knowing they could talk to me, and I’d help them with things like enrolling in Suboxone, getting proper safer use supplies, benefits navigation, and more.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

 Eddie: I think I'd still be doing this! If I had a million dollars, maybe I'd have my own harm reduction center, with an overnight drop-In center, and an OPC, maybe even a 24/7 center so people could have a safe place to stay overnight. 

Joel: I would open a Husky rescue farm for dogs. And something that I’ve actually been discussing with Tom and Reilly here is a program where people can come foster their pets while they seek treatment. A lot of people using drugs may not have any family besides their dogs, and are hesitant to check into an in-patient treatment program because they don’t want to give up their family—their pet.

7.     Tell me about who you are and what you enjoy outside of work

Eddie: I'm a proud girl dad. I've got a 14-year-old daughter, and two grown children. I'm a big Yankees and Giants fan. I love movies. Typical middle aged New York dad.

Joel: I’m from the Bronx and love giving back to my community. I love taking Henry outside during this beautiful weather. And of course keeping strong bonds with my friends & family.  

Positive Change Hero: Diana Pizarro

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?  

My name is Diana Pizarro, I am 64 years old. I have been working in the business of helping people since I was 9 or 10 years old. As a young girl I used to help my mother’s friends and family that came from Puerto Rico who did not know how to speak English, with translation, filling out forms, applications, and taking them to the hospital and HRA for assistance.  

No wonder I am in this line of work.  

I was recommended to the Alliance after I was a case manager at GMHC for almost 15 years, serving for several as Treatment Adherence Manager where I provided clients with tools to remember to take their medications like the use of a calendar, a wristband timer to set alarm and a medicine box with the letters of every day of the week.  

Now I am a Health Homes Case Manager.  

2.    Tell me about your current program/service and what problem it solves. 
Health Home case management provides resources for people that are diagnosed with chronic diseases, like mental health, Diabetes, Asthma, and HIV, to name a few. Health Home case management assists the clients with linkage to medical services and monitors their good health practice for stability. We also provide resources for individuals and families in need of shelter, support groups etc... Case Managers like me coordinate meetings with other providers, general practitioners, therapists, and others—with the clients’ consent, of course and work towards developing a unique care plan that can assist the client obtain their medical and mental health goals.  

3.    Right now, do you work with drastically different populations than earlier in your career? 

At Alliance, my caseload is even more diverse. In this line of work, you face different challenges based on each client’s situation. Some may need special housing allowances or health needs. I advocate for all my clients to reach their care plan goals. One particular client that was on my case load multiple times was looking for more desirable housing. I was able to help him get an apartment, then he moved away, and he came back, I assisted him again, and then moved again.  

4.    Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?  

Helping clients with resources for work, and gaining employment. One person I have worked with trained to become a home attendant in nursing. Another who was not sure they could handle working now works in a restaurant and is thinking of going back to college.  

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic? 

Virtual services. Learning modern technology and getting access to services. It has been a challenge, especially for our older clients, but fortunately nothing disastrous has happened, like them losing passwords to key services.  

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?  

I would donate to organizations like ours, and healthcare institutions that help people with diabetes, cancer, and breast cancer. And I would travel abroad a lot more. I have been to Germany, Paris, and the Netherlands. I would like to see more of the world. Tokyo, Greece, which I am hoping to go to this Summer. 

Positive Change Hero: Luis Worrell

1.          Tell us a little about yourself: who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

I have been at Alliance for 10 years. I had been working in Public Relations for high-fashion companies including Ralph Lauren when I was diagnosed as HIV positive in 2011. I took a break from the industry and wanted to learn more about my diagnosis and found Alliance. Immediately got great connection to services and wanted to give back, to help the HIV-positive community. Like many folks at Alliance, I’ve worn many hats. I’ve worked as a Case Manager at Midtown Central and at Pelham Grand, our supportive housing location. My current role is Prevention Manager, so educating and leading outreach for populations that are at risk for contracting HIV.

2.        Why did you feel you needed to “give back” as you put it?

I’ve felt a greater sense of purpose doing this than in my previous career, though I loved that. I never thought HIV would happen to me. The letters HIV seemed like a death sentence, so I put off getting tested even as I noticed changes in my body, like shingles, and I put off getting tested because I was scared. I refused the tests the doctors wanted me to take. But finally, a friend who’s a nurse really encouraged me to take it, and manage my condition. It broke the stigma for me. I realized that I needed those people gently pushing me to get tested, get educated, and stay healthy. I wanted to be that person for others.

3.        Can you tell me about a specific person you’ve helped who was struggling with their diagnosis?

As an intake manager, I had one client who was a professor and in denial about his diagnosis. I made sure I spoke to him honestly about what could happen. He felt because of his social status, contracting HIV couldn’t happen to him.

I don’t always feel like I should have to share my story with clients, but in this case and some others, I did, because I was around for the start of the AIDS epidemic in the 80s and lost a lot of friends who would’ve done anything to access the medicine we have now.

I told him I was HIV positive, and he said “Oh my God, you don’t look like you have HIV.” I said, “HIV doesn’t have a face, it looks like everyone.” Well, he let me connect him to medical services. A lot of time, the work is really about breaking down stigma and shame that unfortunately many people have internalized. 

4.        Shifting gears: how has your work changed during the pandemic?

I was working at Pelham Grand at the time, and our HIV-positive clients really had a tough time because it’s such a social place, and it’s harder to bond, kid around, and build structure virtually or with limited physical interaction.

We did everything we could, and I know the residents appreciated it. There was less in-person socializing, so we tried to be even more accessible for our residents, whether that was arranging telehealth visits for them, or answering late-night calls and emails. Many of the residents are or were in recovery, and the pandemic was hard for them, for obvious reasons.

5.        If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

I would probably be doing art public relations, like I was before my diagnosis. I love art and I’m a creative person. Creating campaigns for clothing lines, helping at fashion shows, and making creative choices for magazines. It’s still a hobby for me and I do some of that on the side, but I feel more productive by giving back to our HIV-positive community working here. It’s like a calling. Fashion/art is more of a fun side project.

6.        Anything else I’ve forgotten to ask?

I’m a social person. I love to be around people. Being away from people due to social distancing really made me appreciate being able to socialize again, and all the people that matter. 

Alliance arranged a group chat every Friday for us to just have a safe space to talk. That helped not just me, but others. And Alliance connected us with therapists—which was huge for me.

Positive Change Hero: Marcia Deer

1.          Tell us a little about yourself: who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

I am from Jamaica. I have been at Alliance for over 20 years and am currently the Director of Benefits Navigation and Linkage to Care. (Which consists of different regional and national programs that have different enrollment qualifications). 

I have worked in our care management program in partnership with Mount Sinai, supervising teams that go out in the field, and recently overseeing our Food and Nutrition Services program.

2.    Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?

Absolutely. This is our fourth year providing linkage to insurance, and we’ve grown enrollment well above what we were contracted by the city and other agencies. That’s great for the agency, but even better for the people who’re talking to: by getting bigger enrollments for both health insurance programs, we’re helping people with their health and finances proactively.

We do referrals and linkage to other services for about 350 participants a month.

3.    What do you think is behind the growth?

We have a great team of Luis, Miguelina, Avis, and Carla, plus Yelmy, our Peer on the team, working on our team for all programs. Because of how we treat the participants that we work with, they refer friends and acquaintances to us. I’ll give you an example: if a person is eligible for insurance through both the marketplace and HASA, we help them understand what each does and doesn’t do. In this case, I encourage them to select the benefits that work for them and help connect them to other benefits like food stamps.

4.        How has linkage to health insurance changed during the pandemic?

Before the pandemic, we were out in the community and at hospitals in the beginning, canvassing, and talking to people. But COVID-19 offered a lot of new opportunities for people to access free healthcare.

Before the pandemic, the marketplace rules would only allow us to enroll participants in person. That changed during the pandemic and that allowed us to enroll people over the phone, which has been huge!

Immigrant communities in particular didn’t really know about all the COVID-19 specific and general insurance availability so that’s who we’ve really been trying hardest to reach, and link to care.

5.        You also took on the responsibility of running our Food and Nutrition Services. What has that been like?

With one of our FNS team members being on maternity leave, I was offered the chance to take on the role. FNS is a crucial service and some people who come for food might not know all the other free services we can help them with.

I cook at home and feel like whatever you serve the people who come to us should be something you would be happy to eat, too. We should eat the food we’re serving to them, not see their needs as inferior to ours. If a participant is diabetic and notices a dish has too much salt, I will call the provider and make sure they know in the future to make a low sodium alternative.

I have a good sense of our participants’ basic needs, with my work in linkage. Because I know behavior, and I studied case management in social work school, I’ll read the room and when people seem unfulfilled, or need special services, I pick up on that, and try to connect with them.

6.        How did you available for this role plus FNS?

I think I’m a good self-manager, so I carve out time to. I make a list and prioritize building my days efficiently.

7.        If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

I would still want to work. A more flexible schedule, but I would still be doing social work. I would travel and enjoy myself. And I would give Alliance some money, haha, because I’ve been here so long, and I’ve got so much out of my work here. When I came here to New York, I had zero experience in case management. I was interviewed here for client services and prevention team roles. Ms. Brenda gave me a chance to learn on the job even before I had my degrees and encouraged me while I was getting my Bachelor of Social Work. Like a lot of Alliance people, I started out as an intake worker and now I'm a director.

8.       Is there anything else I’ve forgotten to ask about your work, or who you are as a person outside of work, that you’d like to share?

I’m a people person: I like talking to people. I enjoy conversations. I don’t make assumptions or judgments about people because I’ve worked with so many people in different situations. I don’t judge by appearances. I wait to get information from talking to people. If you make assumptions that are too positive, that can be hurtful just like making assumptions that are too negative.

In terms of hobbies, I like to dance. I also read and watch news about a lot of political issues. I still remember a state of the union speech that President Obama gave that I wrote a paper on for school. My family and friends ask me to explain certain political issues in the news, but I don’t judge anyone because of their political views.

Positive Change Hero: Vanessa

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

Photos: David Nager/Alliance

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

Vanessa: I’ve worked at Alliance for Positive Change since 2000. Back then there were fewer than 15 of us. And wouldn’t you know it, almost all of them are still working here today: Sharen, Ramona, Fulvia, Deborah, Lillian, Yvonne, Maria, Michelle, and John, at least. I came from Exponent, another program like our PREP training. I came here as a Peer educator specializing in recovery.

I’ve done so many jobs at Alliance. I’ve been a case manager, Peer trainer, so many different jobs!

2.    Tell me about your current program/service and what problem it solves.

Vanessa: I’m a harm reduction manager. In harm reduction, at Alliance Midtown Central, we work with HIV positive people who are actively using substances, having sex with multiple partners, or are on medication. I work to help them get the resources they need. The beauty of Alliance is once people come through our doors, they see other services that can help. Sometimes that means helping them get certifications to advance their careers.

3.    Tell me about a specific person in the harm reduction program.

Vanessa: The first person I’m thinking of was a man who didn’t have stable housing. He had discolored nails, which can be a symptom of really serious illness, so we got that addressed with medicine, to flush his system out, and we would text him to remind him to take the meds. We got him clean clothes, his resume up to date, and helped him get a job at Macy’s.

Within six months, we got his viral load improved, too.

4.    Is there an achievement or contribution to this program you are particularly proud of?

Vanessa: Our purview tends to be drugs, including alcohol, but I’m a cigarette smoker, and I know it’s a terrible thing for your body, and addictive. One person I worked with was a chronic cigarette smoker and developed advanced throat cancer. We were trying to address her body image issues and were able to help her reduce smoking, too.

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic?

Vanessa: It’s been difficult with virtual treatment because a lot of people don’t have access or don’t know how or don’t want to do it. But we continued our virtual group therapy. I completed a Seeking Safety for Women training over Zoom, and some of those women really enjoyed that. But generally, trauma is better addressed in person.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

Vanessa: I’d probably still be doing a lot of these same things, teaching harm reduction. After you’ve been doing this so long, it becomes a part of you. I’d also open up a foster care for children. I love children.

7.    Is there another question that I have not asked you that I should?

Vanessa: I’ve been known to meet people on a corner and bring them up into Alliance. In fact, one person I met and brought into Alliance now works here and has been stably housed for a long time.

Positive Change Hero: Maria

Maria Madrid is one of the most vivacious, fun, and friendly people our staff, Peers, program participants, and visitors see at Alliance Midtown Central. After more than two decades, Maria is celebrating her retirement and transitioning from full-time to part-time work. We at Alliance are so grateful to Maria for her passion for harm reduction, and the kindness she shows everyone she comes into contact with. We’re so glad that she’ll still be in the office a few days a week, even if less than we’ve grown accustomed to, and wish her health and happiness with her extra free time. She has definitely earned it. We recently sat down with Maria to learn more about her work as a frontline hero.

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what you brought you to Alliance

Maria: I came to Alliance almost 30 years ago. I was using a lot of drugs and went to a lot of NA meetings. Someone I met there was coming to Alliance when we were ASC on 14th St. I’ve stayed for 22 years because I like to see people make positive changes.

2.    Tell me about your approach to your work and the program participants you see

Maria: Most of the people in my programs are people who use drugs. A lot of people can do moderation, like going from using four bags a week to two, that’s a huge improvement for them. Some people can’t. So some people’s solutions are different. I always treat people like people, and I think that’s what we do here, and it works. In my experience, nobody in the shelter system asks people how they are doing or if they need anything? We’re always polite and patient.

3.    Do you base a lot of how you treat people you work with on your personal experiences?

Maria: Oh absolutely. Like I said, some people are all or nothing when they’re using drugs. I was one of them. I couldn’t do moderation, so I know that other people are the same way. So I haven’t touched drugs or liquor in 29 years.

I also went through the shelter system. I also went through difficult relationships I had to repair. Including with my kids.

4.    Can you me about a specific person in the program?

Maria: The person who brought me here was Lurenda, I’ll always remember her. One person, I’m not going to say his name obviously, but he is always trying to stop, so he’s in the methadone program. His drug use was making his hepatitis C worse. We were able to get him into the methadone program, and for a while, his hepatitis C was supressed. He’s relapsed since then, but we’re not giving up on him. 

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic?

Maria: It was good. I had a chance to hold more Zoom groups and the participants who were not tech-savvy still learned how to do it. A lot of people haven’t come back, yet, and some people are adapting. I think also people are going to have trauma from trying to deal with the world right now.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

Maria: If I had a million dollars, I would be doing this same type of job, giving people help who want it. Because people making serious changes in their lives is a long-term process.

7.    So you’ve just transition away from working full-time Alliance, right?  

Maria: Yes. I’m becoming a Peer here. After 22 years of working full-time here, I’m taking more time to be with my family. My kids are 48 and 44. I have two granddaughters, one who is 30 who has twins.

8.    Is there another question that I have not asked you that I should? 

Maria: I’ll give you my philosophy, too: Be good to yourself and be good to other people. You can’t help everyone, but don’t put someone down because you can’t help them.

Positive Change Hero: Eugene and Taryn

Photo: David Nager/Alliance

1.     Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what you brought you to Alliance

Eugene: I grew up in Long Island.  I’m the manager of the Criminal Justice (CJI) initiative and I've worked at Alliance for seven years.

Taryn: I was born and raised in the Lower East Side. I started on CJI and have been working on that and other criminal initiatives at Alliance off and on for the past 5 years.

2.    Tell me about your program/service and what problem it solves

Eugene: At CJI, we help HIV positive people get connected to care as they're released from prison back into one of a few boroughs in the city. We help them find housing, get connected to care, and other reorientation skills like using a smartphone. You might not realize it, but for people who've been incarcerated, things like this can be big hurdles. 

Taryn: I work with Eugene on the CJI program and our District Attorney of New York (DANY) arrest diversion program that lets people avoid prison time for some drug offenses. I lead one-on-one harm reduction sessions, help people get trained to use Narcan, and set goals, big and small.

But it only works if there’s trust. Honesty is key to their success, and my ability to help them.

3.    Do participants always trust you right away, or do some just not even want to know you?

Eugene: A lot of participants don’t initially trust anyone, but they recognize me from going into prisons to meet people and leave flyers with my face on them—Arianne Watson and I would do that pre-pandemic. Then when we meet, I share my story. I was also incarcerated and utilized reorientation services. So, I let them know I also didn’t know the steps, but it worked out for me and if they let me, I’ll teach them the steps to keep themselves okay. 

Taryn: Initially, sure. But I let people know where I come from, and I don’t shy away from the truth. I let them know straight-up: I can’t make you be ready, but I can walk you through it and if you want to make it work, support you with that. And I think a lot of the people I work with appreciate that I won’t B.S. them and they won’t B.S. me.

4.    Tell me about a specific person in the program 

Eugene: We had a participant waiting to find permanent housing who went off the grid before he was assigned a residence. My colleague Taryn got a call from a local McDonalds where the participant was having a mental health crisis. We talked to him and found out he’d relapsed. 

I told him “pencils come with erasers, we can fix that.” We got him enrolled in a rehab facility right away, so he wouldn’t be in trouble with his parole officer. Sometimes there isn’t a happy ending, but we’re there. The clients know we care, and they appreciate that— a lot of them have never had that before.  

Taryn: A couple people come to mind, including the person Eugene mentioned. One person was diagnosed as schizophrenic and bipolar, and he had PTSD. He smoked K2 (synthetic marijuana) which he said made him stop hearing voices. He started opening up. And he wouldn’t talk to anyone but me. He went to our writing and art classes, and he wouldn’t even take the incentives offered. When he’d get arrested, he’d tell the police to call me.

5.    How has your program changed during the pandemic?

Eugene: During the pandemic, we never closed. People were still being released from prison and needed housing or support. So we'd meet them somewhere in NYC, I'd find whatever NYC housing office was open and let them know we were coming. I went with our participants to help them understand their documents and sign forms. The big loss is that we couldn’t do big monthly meet and greets in the agency. Before the pandemic, we’d bring in people from the CJI program to get some food and soda, and while they were in, they could access other agency services. 

Taryn: CJI didn’t change at all. We connected clients to open HASA offices in Manhattan and the Bronx, and a YMCA in Queens. Eugene and I would go to HASA with our participants and bring survival backpacks with underwear, socks, t-shirts, phone, wallet, towel, lotion, and other basics and information on our services.

6.    If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

Eugene: DJing—I made music with a Serato set a few weeks ago. My stage name is “DJ Unique” and my first gig is actually coming up soon, at a Paint and Sip. I’d also probably be deep into podcasting. I’d like to create a safe, non-judgmental space where people can really talk.  Lastly, I’d like to be by the water—because I grew up in the Hamptons, water makes me feel calm. 

Taryn: I’d love to be a high school/middle school basketball coach. I was a point guard. I’d love to be at a K-12 school so I could really see them grow, and see their journeys. I’d still be doing Narcan trainings and violence-prevention interventions, which I do in my community on my own time. Mrs. Brenda has always appreciated and encouraged us to bring these types of interventions into our own communities.

7.    Is there another question that I have not asked you that I should? 

Eugene: Yes, what’s my philosophy? It’s “do unto others as you’d have them do to you.” 

Taryn: Who is Taryn? A swimmer. I love to swim. I play basketball on Sundays with a lot of guys from my neighborhood. I’m a father. My youngest daughter is like my best friend. She loves to go go-karting, we electric scooter around our complex.

Positive Change Hero: Operations Department's John, Conrad, & Steven

1. Tell us a little about yourself, who you are, what you do, and what brought you to Alliance?

John: I am Alliance’s Director of IT & Operations. I started with Alliance in 2001 as a case manager. It was my dream job to be able to help people. I had the opportunity to get into the technology field and Sharen, Alliance’s CEO, encouraged me to get my certification. I am fascinated by technology and love building and tinkering with electronics. I am proud that these 20 years later I now have my dream job with an amazing organization. I am a happy guy with three beautiful children and a wonderful wife.

Conrad: I am a native New Yorker. I am responsible for Alliance’s Midtown Central facilities. I supervise the security, reception, cleaning, and maintenance staff. My relationship with Alliance goes back to 2005. At that time, I was the Head Coach of Team New York Aquatics, which was the largest LBGT+ adult competitive swim team on the planet. Alliance was the recipient of the team’s annual fundraising in support of the HIV advocacy event, the One Hour Swim. This established a great friendship between the team and the work of the Alliance. The team has given to Alliance, through the One Hour Swim, many times over the years, including the past year of the pandemic. In 2013, I had the opportunity to interview for a job at the Alliance. I remain a substitute coach for TNYA and worked to deepen the relationship over the years between the work of the Alliance and friends of the agency and the athletes on the team.

Steven: My name is Steven Jones, I am 50 years old, and I work as the Security/Operations Assistant Manager. I came to the Alliance looking for help after moving from California. I had no job, no medical coverage, and no one to turn to.

2. Tell me about your department and what has changed during the COVID-19 pandemic.

John: I feel blessed to have such a dedicated team. Even though the IT profession can attract technical communicators, our organization is people-based, and it makes me proud to see my colleagues develop their skills and come out of their shells. Both our operations and IT staff have been steadfast throughout the pandemic. It caught us all by surprise and turned everything upside down. We had to transition over 300 employees to remote work and outfit all six of our offices with new safety measures and round-the-clock cleaning and sanitation. My team was always available throughout the pandemic – never taking a break. They are all champions in my mind!

Conrad: My department continued to show up throughout the pandemic even though much of the time I was just by myself. Someone needed to check on the facility, make sure the lights were turned off, that plants were watered, and check the mail and messages. I rode my bicycle to work every day throughout the pandemic from March 2020 to December 2020 when people began to safely return to Midtown Central on World AIDS Day. I have seen the transition back, from limited visitors to almost normal operations now, up close.

Steven: I helped oversee the day-to-day operations that kept Midtown Central running. When COVID-19 hit, our clients were afraid to return, and normal interactions were impossible due to social distancing and PPE. I help make sure that everyone who enters our building is protected and feels safe to return. I am proud to be our first line of defense against COVID-19.

3. Is there an achievement or contribution to your department you are particularly proud of?

John: I am so proud of my team and being able to be part of their professional growth. Everyone who has come through my department has taken opportunities to develop new skills and advance their careers. I love to inspire everyone I work with and it inspires me to be part of their journeys. I try to keep my team motivated to give their best each and every day and keep reaching for the next goal.

Conrad: We had a major building maintenance issue on top of dealing with the trauma of the pandemic. For months I had to supervise a crew and maintain calm. I am proud I kept the necessary chaos to a minimum, so the staff could return in a rational and controlled manner, with little to worry about.

Steven: I am proud that I am able to contribute and keep the agency running during this pandemic which allows people to be safe.

4. If you could do anything in addition to what you are doing now, what would it be?

John: I would be sailing on a yacht, of course! But in all seriousness, I am extremely happy and love my work. Not only do I get to work with new technology, I also get to be involved with construction projects and operations workflows – all of my interests! I love to make things work and to tinker. In my free time, I love to build and program drones. It is so rewarding to watch a drone fly!

Conrad: I wish I could travel more, helping other organizations with their traumatic facility issues. This is because I love to travel generally. Even Upstate New York.

Steven: When I go for lunch I always see people in need and my reaction is to let them know where I work and that there is help. Throughout the week I bring at least two or three of people in need to the agency. I would love to do more to be an ambassador for the agency bringing news for what help is out there.