Pathfinder Village Recognizes Staff Achievements

EDMESTON, NY, June 16, 2017 ... Pathfinder Village celebrated the achievements of employees and its unique sense of community during a special luncheon at The Otesaga Resort Hotel, Cooperstown, on Thursday, June 15.  Altogether, 26 employees were honored for their collective 265 years of service to Pathfinder Village and its residents, students and service recipients.

Honorees included Nursing Assistant Linda Kukulech, who has completed 30 years’ service; before working in Nursing, Ms. Kukulech worked as the Susquehanna House Manager, in the Enrichment Department, and volunteered as a coordinator for Special Olympics.  Direct Support Professional Annette Lewis of the Residential Department was also honored for completing 25 years at the renowned residential community and services provider for people with intellectual disabilities.  

Development Director Lori Grace and Direct Support Professional (DSP) Elsie Southard were honored for their 20th anniversaries.  Service Coordinators Judy Gibson and Maureen Rutherford, and Classroom Aide Brett Taylor, were recognized for their 15th anniversaries.  Those celebrating a decade of service include Classroom Aides Laurie Fink and Nancy Knorr of Pathfinder School; Karen Laymon of Ancillary Services; and DSPs Amanda Ray and Katrina Reidenbach.

Staff members marking their fifth anniversaries include Gilbert House Manager Michelle Banks, Seneca House Manager Deborah Carnachan, and DSPs Christine Banks, Nicholas DeGristina, Jennifer Fink, Samantha Hubbard and Chelsea Tuttle.  Others with five year anniversaries include Teacher Alyssa Plows, and Aides Hanah Baulch, Cait Kinch, and Denise Thompson, serving at Pathfinder School; Mitchell Benjamin of Ancillary Services; Tammy Fallon and Cathy Mayne of the Finance-HR Department; and Helen Stepowany, the Senior Director of the Kennedy Willis Center, Pathfinder’s outreach and education center.

Chief Executive Officer Paul C. Landers extended his thanks to the honorees on behalf of the Board of Directors, and spoke on how Pathfinder fills the need for community in peoples’ lives. “At Pathfinder, I see people being productive, engaged, and active, forming friendships, and caring about one another…. 
It is my believe that our sense of caring truly makes us a community.  Caring involves commitment, conscience, competence, compassion, and confidence…. You all should be proud of your accomplishments and the impact you are making each and every day.  We are grateful for your service and wish you all the best in the future.”

Pathfinder Village is an internationally respected open-access community and services provider in upstate New York, and 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, pre-vocational and outreach programs.  To learn more, visit www.pathfindervillage.org, or visit our fan page on the popular social networking site, Facebook.