From left to right, Sullivan Correctional Facility Local President Nikki Wallace, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local President George Beekman and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local Vice President Chris Martin show some of the clothing drive donations.
WAPPINGERS FALLS — It’s tradition for officers of CSEA state correctional facility locals to connect at union conferences to compare workplace issues, offer advice and build bonds based on the understanding that comes from doing the same type of work.
When longtime Sullivan Correctional Facility Local President Nikki Wallace noticed that two first-time attendees at a Southern Region conference were workers from a different state correctional facility, she made a point to introduce herself.
“Once I realized they were also from DOCCS [the state Department of Corrections and Community Supervision], I said, ‘I have to go over and talk to these guys,’” said Wallace.
What started as a conversation with Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local President George Beekman and Local Vice President Chris Martin about workplace issues turned into a broader conversation about how their locals could make an impact outside the prison walls.
At the conference, the Southern Region Veterans Committee held a supply drive to collect personal hygiene items for veterans who receive services at the Castle Point VA Medical Center.
As it turns out, officers from both locals felt called to see how they might add to that effort.
Beekman noted that he wondered if our union’s DOCCS locals in the Southern Region might collaborate on a clothing drive for veterans.
“I was on board as soon as he mentioned it,” said Wallace.
Members from the Sullivan Correctional Facility and Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Locals teamed up for the clothing drive. With permission from administrators at their respective facilities, both locals collected gently used clothing donations, not only from CSEA members but also other staff at their facilities.
The result was several carloads filled with clothing, which Wallace, Beekman and Martin recently delivered to Castle Point.
After speaking with the volunteer services staff at Castle Point, the trio learned of other ways that CSEA members can support the veterans receiving services there.
CSEA members deliver clothing drive donations to the Castle Point VA Medical Center. From left to right, Castle Point VA staff member Alan Rios, Sullivan Correctional Facility Local President Nikki Wallace, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local President George Beekman, Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local Vice President Chris Martin and Castle Point VA staff member Deborah Loughran.
In addition to collecting hygiene supplies and clothing for veterans facing financial challenges, both Castle Point and the Montrose VA campus in Westchester County operate food pantries that depend on donations from residents and community groups.
With Beekman and Martin being new to their roles as union leaders, they said working with Wallace opened their eyes to the power that comes from being active in the larger CSEA organization.
“We’re all one as union members and as DOCCS employees,” said Beekman. “We’re all ultimately under the same umbrella.”
One of the goals for the Bedford Hills Correctional Facility Local leaders is to be more actively engaged in region and state level union events. Their first foray resulted in a successful project helping some of our nation’s heroes and they said they look forward to seeing what else results from stepping up.
“To branch out and have members get on board like they did, it’s a good feeling,” said Beekman.
Martin noted that their project reinforced the value that comes from networking at union events.
“It shows the importance of us going to conferences and conventions,” said Martin. “Once you meet people from other facilities, you find out that you have a lot of the same goals that you can work together on.”
— Jessica Ladlee
