Pathfinder celebrates 295 years of staff service

Staff Honorees in 2023 were celebrated at a special luncheon on June 20 at the Pavilioin

Edmeston, New York, June 21, 2023 ... Pathfinder Village recognized the dedication and diligence of its employees celebrating five-year service anniversaries at a luncheon at the Pathfinder Pavilion on Tuesday. Altogether, 26 staff have devoted over 295 years of service to Pathfinder residents, students, day service participants, and families.

During his comments, Village President & Chief Executive Officer Paul Landers noted that all honorees had made a conscious choice to work in the intellectual disabilities field and that each person has adopted Pathfinder’s set of core values to guide their daily work.

“We are a group that believes in community for the greater good,” said Mr. Landers. “It isn’t a mission statement or a checklist, it’s the acknowledgment that everything we do should move us closer to living our beliefs. We genuinely care … believing that 40 years from now, our work will stand strong. We set an example, give back, inspire others with a sense of purpose, and impact our community in positive ways.”

This year’s honorees include Ancillary-Environmental Services Team Member Eva Pickens, who has 40 years of service to Pathfinder, its individuals, and their families. Direct Support Professional Cindy Holbert and Coordinator of Enrichment & Community Life Charleen Orendorff are both marking their 35^th anniversaries. Christine Chase, the Manager of Ancillary Services, and Stephanie Sitts, the Transition Coordinator for Pathfinder School, are celebrating their 25^th anniversaries.

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Cody Ray is marking his 15^th year in Residential Services. Adult Day Services (ADS) Site Supervisor Destiny Curl, Overnight On-Call Manager Gina Murfitt and ADS Pre-Vocational Staff Cheryl Winton are all celebrating a decade of service.

Those honored as new members of the “Five Year Club” include (by department): Administration & Development - Executive Assistant Sally Trosset; Adult Day Services - Supported Employment Coordinator Rose Davis, Pre-Vocational Staff Amanda Geier, Pathfinder Produce Worker Eric Mackiewicz; Clinical Services – Behavior Specialist Josh Simmons MS BCBA; Education Services – Occupational Therapist Brittney Crouse, Classroom Aide Samantha Hanslmaier; Nursing & Health Services - Director of Health Services Caitlin Corns RN, School Nurse Monica Sparaco RN-BC, BSN; Residential Services – DSP 2.0 Chelsea Keach, Residential Support Staff Connor Deforest, DSP Karen Rifanburg, Gilbert House Manager Dorothy Vertucci; DSP Brittany Emerson, DSP 2.0 Koral Hoag, and DSP Curtis Wright.

Pathfinder Village is an internationally respected livable community and services provider in upstate New York. It was founded in 1980 to provide people living with Down syndrome and other disabilities an independent and fulfilling lifestyle. As it works to provide quality supports for individuals with intellectual disabilities, the Village also offers highly successful educational, day services, vocational/pre-vocational, and outreach programs.  To learn more, visit http://pathfindervillage.org, or visit our social media on Facebook and Instagram.

-- 30 –

Photo Caption: Pathfinder Village veteran staff members were honored at a special luncheon at the Pathfinder Pavilion on Tuesday, June 20 for their collective 295 years of service to the residential community and services provider that serves individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Front Row (l to r): Stephanie Sitts, Christine Chase, Eva Pickens, Charleen Orendorff, Cindy Holbert. Back Row: Rose Davis, Destiny Curl, Connor Deforest, Amanda Geier, Cody Ray, Caitlin Corns, Brittney Crouse, Samantha Hanselmaier, Sally Trosset, Monica Sparaco, and Eric Mackiewicz.