About Our Culture, Beliefs, and Goals
Who are we and what do we do?
We are a startup organization dedicated to helping the community in two ways.
First, we will employ people that are working on rebuilding their lives but may be encumbered by factors out of their control. We will hire people in all forms of recovery.
Second, we will support local nonprofit and small businesses by adding skills and resources that are difficult to obtain.
Who are "People in Recovery"?
Recovery means different things to different people.
For Service in Unity, we believe Recovery is a process of change from past or current obstacles.
Whether mental, substance abuse, or simply a difficult past, to build a more meaningful life today.
What is our culture?
Our culture and workplace will offer a sober, safe, and stigma-free environment that supports each team member in their personal hurdles. We will prioritize our staff’s physical, mental, and spiritual health and recovery.
We will believe that together we can overcome anything. We will work in Unity.
What are our commitments to our staff?
Year One
- We prioritize physical, mental, and spiritual health above all.
- We will modify work activities around needed recovery activities.
In Years Two – Five:
- We will pay a living wage.
- Affordable Health Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Retirement Solutions
What is the Corporate Structure?
Service in Unity is now a corporation.
We will soon become a 501c3 non profit charitable organization, with a board of directors, which will position us to better serve our community.
Meet The SIU Team
Scott Sherwood
Founder/CEO
I continue to be a part of the recovery community of Tompkins County, and active in service to fill the needs that are ever present for nonprofit organizations. I currently serve as Vice President on the board for Ithaca Community Recovery, and as a director on the board for NAMI Finger Lakes. It has been a great honor to be part of wonderful missions that assist our local community in concrete ways.
I am also a Caregiver, which to me, is another form of recovery. I spent 23 years working as a senior management for a local nonprofit as the IT Infrastructure and Facility Manager. My wife became very ill with Bipolar Type 1 and needed continuous care. As we continued this journey, it became clear I was going to need to choose between my wife or my career, which was never a choice.
While these are not pleasant events, I am grateful to be able to dedicate my time to this venture. As a person in recovery in multiple ways, I understand how difficult it is to work while hiding your diagnosis. Like my wife, who is now disabled and can not work, I see the need to be part of something that gives a person a personal sense value. I am reminded of a person who shared their story with me, and that this drive to gain value can be fatal for people who need to hide their diagnosis. I welcome you all on this grand adventure. I welcome you to a place where we do not need to hide our struggles, instead we can choose to share our obstacles, and by sharing we accomplish recovery together. Together we are unified, and we will be of service. We are Service in Unity.
Kristen Piper
Sales
I am a wife and homeschooling mother of three children, whom I love dearly. I enjoy spending as much time with my family as possible. Some things we enjoy doing together are, serving in church, watching movies/Netflix series, and playing board games.
I also graduated with a BS in Nutrition Science, as well as a MS in Public Health/Health Education. One of my greatest passions is helping others, both recognize and solve a problem. I believe health and wellness in all capacities is a fundamental pathway to achieve a desired lifestyle outcome.
I am happy to be a part of Service in Unity and look forward to assisting you in the best way possible!