Reverend advocates care for the elderly

The Rev. Thomas Burgess, pastor of Hope Christian Fellowship and a supervisor with Onondaga County Adult Protective Services (APS), recently shared at two community events.

CANASTOTA » The Rev. Thomas Burgess, pastor of Hope Christian Fellowship and a supervisor with Onondaga County Adult Protective Services (APS), recently shared at two community events.

On Oct. 3, Burgess represented APS at State Senator David Valesky’s senior fair, held at the Boys and Girls Club of Syracuse, where he shared information about adult services with those present, along with Larry Matthews of the Office for Aging. On Nov. 14, Burgess spoke to the 3rd Annual Department of Adult & Long Term Care Services’ Integration Training at the OnCenter on the role of APS in com- bating adult neglect and abuse. He was joined by presenters on other community services including mental health, New York Connects and the longterm care resource center, veterans’ services, and the SHARP (Senior Health and Resource Partnership) Project.

In addition to being an ordained nondenominational minister and a casework supervisor, Burgess is the Family Type Homes for Adults Coordinator in Onondaga County. A life-long Central New Yorker, Burgess is a graduate of Syracuse University, where he received his bachelor of science degree in Speech Communications and Ed- ucation. He subsequently completed post- graduate work at Le Moyne College to earn certification in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages.

An educator in elementary, secondary and adult education for more than two decades prior to working for Onondaga County, he frequently presents to various community groups and is a trainer for a National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life grant. He is a past recipient of an Onondaga County Volunteer Award for his work with abused children and youths and a National Adult Protective Services Association Award for his work on elder justice.