Longevity Awards 2024: Recognizing our longstanding employees

Unity House honored some of its longest-serving employees this week with gifts and words of gratitude.

At gatherings in Auburn and Ithaca, Unity House CEO Liz Smith and COO Darlene Podolak joined supervisors from every part of the organization in thanking employees who completed five, 10, 15, 20, 25 and 30 years of service with the organization.

Each employee who hit a milestone received a gift, which included electronic devices, camping gear, tools, clothing and accessories. As each name was announced, their supervisor and co-workers shared details about what makes the honoree an important part of the team.

“This organization does not rise and fall on just a single person,” Liz told the employees gathered Unity House’s Wright Avenue office in Auburn. “What makes this organization move forward in fulfilling its mission is everybody. It’s each of you and the individual role you play. I’m very grateful for all you do.”

Congratulations to the following Unity House staff on their 2024 employment milestones. We are so grateful for all of you. Thank you for your many years of dedication to help empower those we support.

30 years: Sara Bilinski

25 years: Pattie Park

20 years: Doreen Wagner, Matthew Evener

15 years: Jacqualine Gleason, Valerie Longley, Gloria Duncan, Kelly Buck, Rachel Longley

10 years: Sherrie Droth, Matthew Chadwick, Daniel Velte

5 years: Megan Baran, Quendel Ellison, Laura Flanders Sullivan, Lori Dawson, Cynthia Goldrick, Sallee Jefferds, William Vaughn-Russell, Rose Inman, Michael Bell, Thomas Yarbrough, Allison Berry, Jennifer Rivera Pacheco, Michael Dunchak, Alyssa Militello, Angela Ayres, Stacy Barrows, Sarah Coyle, Kayla Washburn-Sayre, Katrina Starks

3 years: Lea Church, Peter Cornell, Abigail Tavares, Victoria Simpson, Douglas Alise, Michael Todi, Tyreke McBride-Bethea, Kelly Oram, Hannah Iozzio, Caleb Iozzio, Mary Ellen Casper, Jennifer Owens, Bradley Case, Bernard Geremia, Desiree Jernigan, Brittany O’Connor, Brianna Luckette, Iris Lynch, Ariana Lesser, Jazamene Cherry, Allison Tanner, Vincent Walsh, Trisha Glasby, Manderin Darling