Press release:
From humble beginnings as a provider of information, referral and employee assistance services, UConnectCare has grown exponentially since its inception in 1975.
The nonprofit agency, formerly known as Genesee/Orleans Council on Alcoholism and Substance Abuse, is celebrating a half-century of assisting those with substance use disorder with a 50th Anniversary Gala & Silent Auction on Sept. 25 at Terry Hills Golf Course, 5122 Clinton St. Rd., Batavia.
Festivities get underway at 5 p.m.
“We’re extremely fortunate and appreciative to have been a part of the community for 50 years and excited about our 50th anniversary event later this month,” said Chief Executive Officer Kathy Hodgins. “We’re inviting all to join us for an evening of music, laughs, a great meal and a celebration of the people who helped us accomplish so much.”
Hodgins is the fifth CEO or executive director at UConnectCare, succeeding John Bennett, who left the agency after a 25-year career. He and the previous directors, Faith (Cole) Peterson, Sharon McWethy and David Markham have been invited to attend the gala.
UConnectCare offers programs in the areas of prevention, treatment, employer assistance, residential & detox, and recovery services. Today, the agency serves Genesee and Orleans counties in all segments and employs approximately 160 people. The agency also serves multiple counties through the WNY Prevention Resource Center and EAP services.
Some of the agency’s milestones:
— GCASA’s first office was located in County Building 2 on West Main Street Road in Batavia and its first executive director was an unpaid volunteer.
— In 1982, GCASA became certified to operate a chemical dependency clinic by NYS OASAS.
— The GCASA Foundation was established in 1993 to generate community support for substance use disorder (SUD) services. Today the Foundation owns several properties which are leased back to GCASA, Inc. for supportive living, homeless housing, recovery housing, and peer and recovery services.
— In 1997, GCASA opened the Atwater Home Community Residence, a 17-bed facility and, in 1999, it began operating a 24-bed supportive living program, and became the licensed provider for prevention and treatment services in Orleans County.
— In 2005, GCASA received the “Agency of the Year’ award from the NYS Association of Addiction Professionals – and in 2006, the Drug Free Communities Coalition was presented with the “Got Outcomes” Coalition of the year award by the Community Anti-Drug Coalitions of America.
— In 2012, GCASA’s Orleans County programs were moved from leased space into a newly renovated office site on East Avenue in Albion.
— In 2018, GCASA opened the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP-methadone clinic) in Batavia, and was awarded a Greater Rochester Health Foundation grant on behalf of the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming Counties (GOW) Opioid Task Force to provide 24/7 Peer support in the tri-county area; standardize, expand, and track naloxone training and administration; and establish Task Force infrastructure. The Task Force became the Genesee-Orleans-Wyoming CARES Alliance in 2024 and has expanded its reach to address all overdoses and community wellness.
— In 2020, The Recovery Station, a physical location, opened at 5256 Clinton Street in Batavia.
— In 2022, GCASA opened its Detox Center located behind the Atwater Community Residence, and in 2023, it changed its name from GCASA to UConnectCare to better represent our services in behavioral, mental, and physical health.
— In 2024, UConnectCare opened the Opioid Treatment Program (OTP-methadone clinic) in Albion.
Individual tickets for the event are $75. Attire is semi-formal and there will be a cash bar. To purchase tickets (by Sept. 17), go to www.zeffy.com/ticketing/uconnectcare-50th-anniversary-gala
Gala sponsors are Tompkins Bank & Insurance, platinum; Barclay Damon, Greater Rochester Health Foundation, John & Liz Riter, Merrill Lynch, In memory of Ricky Mancuso, Whitney East and Bank of America, gold; EFPR and Will’s Carpet One, bronze; AFLAC/Andy Hunter (Employee Benefits) and Valle Jewelers, friend.