Patty’s Story – Supported Education

“AccessCNY gave me the support I needed to keep going.”

Patty Melone was struggling with depression, anxiety, and bipolar disorder when she was referred to AccessCNY’s Supported Education program by her therapist. Soon after, she enrolled at OCM BOCES, an adult education program, where she started work in a medical billing program. Before she could finish the program, she was diagnosed with colon cancer, and had to endure months of chemo and radiation treatment.

But Patty did not stop. “People should know that even after cancer, people can go to school and keep going.”

After her battle with cancer, Patty finished the program at OCM BOCES. She then completed an internship with AccessCNY’s business office, where she put her newly learned skills to use. Later, she was hired on as a member of the AccessCNY team!

“Working at AccessCNY makes me feel like my new skills are being used well and I’m giving back to the place that has helped me so much.”

To learn more about AccessCNY’s supported education program, click here.