Team Upstate partners with Clear Path for Veterans
Team Upstate introduced the Your Cause program in late 2015 as a way to feature the volunteer work performed by the Upstate family. As such, Team Upstate has pledged to support Clear Path for Veterans in 2016 with promotional and financial support through December.
The Clear Path for Veterans non-profit organization was nominated by Michael Longo, a principal trainer in IMT-Hospital Information Systems at Upstate. He was first introduced to the Clear Path for Veterans by a friend who had served in the military and attended events hosted by the organization. Longo says that Clear Path quickly made an impact on him, and he has volunteered with fundraising since 2013.
“My fellow Upstate colleagues should know about Clear Path because it is an organization that can enrich our lives on a professional and personal level,” said Longo. “It has the versatility to positively affect our own relationships with family, colleagues and patients that have served our country. It is also a local organization that joins Upstate in a determined pursuit to provide care and fellowship with our ever-growing veteran and active-duty community.”
Founded in 2011, Clear Path for Veterans offers programs and services to veterans and their families in a supportive environment. The organization, located in Chittenango, hosts a number of events and programs that are centered on self-empowerment, peer-to-peer support and community involvement.
The charity offers employment, culinary, recreation and wellness programs, in addition to community meals, Dogs2Vets (a dog-training program) and community gardening.
“I am so humbled by this honor, and I am excited to explore the ways that we can partner with Upstate as the Your Cause winner,” said founder and Executive Director Melissa Spicer. “At Clear Path, volunteer opportunities are always available for those who would like to participate and get to know the organization.”
Through the Your Cause sponsorship program, Upstate will support Clear Path for Veterans events throughout the year. Information about these events and volunteer opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks and months as the Team Upstate advisory council works to partner with the organization throughout the year.
“Volunteering and spending time with this charity is an experience that leaves a lasting effect on both parties in a positive way and it is the reason why we are blessed as professionals to have careers that touch health care and wellness,” said Longo.
Team Upstate works to promote public awareness of Upstate’s contributions to the community and to encourage volunteer participation among Upstate students, staff, faculty and retirees. Team Upstate sponsors many activities and events each year that promote quality of life and maintain Upstate’s mission, vision and values.
Visit Team Upstate’s Your Cause for more information about its sponsorship program. Visit Clear Path for Veterans for more information on the organization.
Caption: Team Upstate awarded Clear Path for Veterans Inc. with the inaugural 2016 Your Cause sponsorship program. From left are Nancy Prott, Team Upstate Chair Zanette Howe, Michael Longo, Clear Path for Veterans Outreach Director Lynn Fox, Upstate Medical University President Danielle Laraque-Arena, MD, FAAP; and Clear Path for Veterans founder and Executive Director Melissa Spicer.