UConnectCare News

Q&A with John Bennett, who is leaving UConnectCare to accept regional position
By Mike Pettinella John Bennett is leaving UConnectCare after dedicating the past 25 years at the agency formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse to helping those affected by substance and alcohol use disorder. With his last day as...

UConnectCare Foundation to award four $1,000 scholarships
By Mike Pettinella Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded through the annual UConnectCare Foundation Scholarship program in 2025. The program, initiated several years ago, provides financial support to individuals pursuing their education at an institution of higher...

UConnectCare recognizes employees with longevity awards
By Mike Pettinella UConnectCare recognized 18 employees with longevity awards at its annual holiday luncheon on Tuesday at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia. Among those honored was President/Chief Executive Officer John Bennett, who joined the nonprofit agency in...

UConnectCare inviting recovery community to ‘Friendsgiving’ and Santa Claus events
By Mike Pettinella UConnectCare is looking to make the holiday season – starting with two “Friendsgiving” activities in Batavia next week – a special one for the recovery community in Genesee and Orleans counties. The Recovery Station at 5256 Clinton St. Rd. and the...

UConnectCare employee found the path to help himself, now he’s serving others
https://youtu.be/gWCTAa2qYNY?si=SBGmjxcnIePrDjfW By Mike Pettinella Just as he did when he was drinking and partying, LeRoyan Justin Stimson isn’t holding back in his role as a certified recovery peer advocate and addiction recovery coach at UConnectCare (formerly...

UConnectCare promotes Ferry to Assistant CFO
By Mike Pettinella UConnectCare has promoted Jessica Ferry to the position of Assistant Chief Fiscal Officer. John Bennett, chief executive officer of the nonprofit agency (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse), announced the promotion of...

UConnectCare focuses in on Red Ribbon Week
By Mike Pettinella The “scene” is set for UConnectCare’s Prevention Department to “direct” local school and community projects during this month’s Red Ribbon Week, which is draping itself in the theme, “Life is a Movie, Film Drug Free.” Red Ribbon Week, the nation’s...

‘Grateful for Recovery’ art show set for November at Richmond Library
By Mike Pettinella Understanding that creative expression serves as a therapeutic means toward healing and self-esteem, the Suicide Prevention Coalition of Genesee County and UConnectCare are partnering to sponsor the Grateful for Recovery art show throughout...

Making a Difference: UConnectCare tech Linda Ackley can relate to those struggling because she’s been there
https://youtu.be/xUsMpqNz03g By Mike Pettinella As someone in recovery for more than four decades, Linda Ackley knows what those struggling with substance use are going through. Now in her 22nd year at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and...

The Recovery Station schedules grand opening for Sept. 20; will stream NFL games on Sundays
By Mike Pettinella “Come and celebrate the grand opening of The Recovery Station. Be among the first to experience our new kitchen and discover your favorite spot in town.” With that clear invitation, Luke Granger, director of Recovery Services at UConnectCare...

UConnectCare hires Erik Winarski to succeed Ryan as chief fiscal officer
By Mike Pettinella UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) has hired Erik Winarski, a longtime educator and accountant, as its chief fiscal officer. Winarski, a Rochester native and Canandaigua resident, assumed the role in...

Recovery Journey Leads to Career at UConnectCare – Melissa Vinyard: Living Out Loud
https://youtu.be/tw29N3KkHd0 By Mike Pettinella Energetic and personable, with a warm sense of humor and jovial laugh, Melissa Vinyard is only half joking when she tells people that she was “predisposed to be an alcoholic with a last name like Vinyard.” That’s...

Quality and Quantity: UConnectCare celebrates expansion of services, honors Friends, scholars
By Mike Pettinella Wednesday afternoon’s annual meeting at Terry Hills Restaurant in Batavia may have been the first under the name UConnectCare, but it served as a celebration of the many ways the agency formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and...

Time to stop stigma surrounding mental health, substance use: Former NFL QB Ryan Leaf
By Mike Pettinella Growing up in what he calls “the cowboy culture” of rural Montana, former National Football League quarterback Ryan Leaf said that he never saw another man reach out for help with mental health issues because of the stigma associated with it. Leaf...

Former NFL quarterback Ryan Leaf to speak about substance use disorder, mental health on May 8
By Mike Pettinella “Twelve years ago today I woke up on the floor of a jail cell...with no hope or possible idea what could be! There was no possibility of this life, no love of my life, no career, no future, no family, no recovery," Leaf wrote on X. "You can't go...

Philosophy based on ‘Housing with Dignity’ drives UConnectCare’s residential services
By Mike Pettinella In an ongoing effort to provide the most efficient and compassionate treatment methods for those struggling with substance use disorder, UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) has expanded its residential...

UConnectCare Foundation to award scholarships; application must be postmarked by March 8
By Mike Pettinella UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse) is continuing its Foundation Scholarship program for 2024. Four $1,000 scholarships will be awarded, UConnectCare Chief Executive Officer John Bennett announced. They...

‘Go-to guy’ Helenbrook honored for 20 years at UConnectCare
By Mike Pettinella For two decades, Jeff Helenbrook has been the go-to guy when it comes to maintenance, repairs and related responsibilities at UConnectCare (formerly Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse). Helenbrook was honored for his 20 years...
UConnectCare's Harm Reduction services encourage any positive change.
Harm Reduction is an evidence-based approach that is critical to engage with people who use drugs and equip them with life-saving tools. Harm Reduction does not ignore drug use in our community, but shines a light to provide non-judgmental care to increase the quality of life of people who use drugs throughout Genesee and Orleans Counties. It allows autonomy for people to prevent overdose, drug related injuries, and other preventable diseases.
UConnectCare’s Harm Reduction team can provide safer use supplies and referrals to community services for housing, food, and clothing, and provide transportation in most cases. Harm Reduction peers and case managers are available to meet people wherever they are at in their substance use.
Office Location: 5130 East Main St, Suite 5, Batavia, NY 14020
EMAIL US TODAY AT harmreduction@uconnectcare.org
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