Chenango County Area Agency on Aging announced the hiring of two new outreach workers, Samantha Lyons and Samantha ‘Sammie’ Francisco.(Submitted photos)

CHENANGO COUNTY - The Chenango County Area Agency on Aging has added two new outreach workers to its staff.

Samantha Lyons comes to the AAOA from the Montezuma Winery in Cooperstown, where she worked as a tasting associate. She also shopped and delivered groceries for Instacart and Door Dash.

A native of Camden, NY, she moved to Oneonta for college and earned her bachelor’s degree in English at SUNY Oneonta.

“I was interested in working with AAOA because I wanted to find a career that was compassionate and personal, where I could feel like I was making an impact on our community,” Sam says.

“Being an outreach worker allows me to work independently and as part of a team while connect-ing directly with clients on whatever they may need. I’m now able to meet people out in the community and introduce them to resources they may qualify for and benefit from.”

In her spare time, Sam likes to read, play musical instruments, paint, sew, hike, and dance. She loves to go thrifting and is passionate about movies.

She lives in Morris, NY, with her husband, Josh, and their son, Sebastian.

Sam will be working with senior residents of the city of Norwich and the towns of DeRuyter, Lincklaen, Otselic, and Pitcher.

Samantha ‘Sammie’ Francisco stepped out of the classroom to join AAOA: her last job was as a 6th-grade science teacher.

Born and raised on Long Island, Sammie moved to Oneonta in 2014.

She attended Oneonta for Childhood Education and later a master’s degree in Special Education from North Central University in Arizona.

“I’ve always had a desire to help those in need,” Sammie says, “and I have been a caretaker for family members throughout my life.

“This outreach worker position seemed to be the best of both worlds, where I get to connect with the community while helping them find the resources to care for themselves or their loved ones.”

Outside of work, Sammie loves to be outdoors, hiking, camping, fishing, and “just enjoying the beauty that surrounds us.”

She also loves to take on DIY projects for her own house, which is located in Unadilla, NY.

Sammie will be working with residents of the towns of Afton, Bainbridge, Guilford, Mt. Upton, and Ninevah.

- Information from the AAOA