Buffalo Bills Player DeWayne Carter Visits People Inc. Day Program

People Inc.'s Orchard Park Day Habilitation Program hosted Buffalo Bills rookie Defensive Tackle DeWayne Carter recently.  People Inc. CEO Anne McCaffrey, staff, and people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who attend the program enthusiastically greeted him. Many people were wearing Bills colors, including Bills shirts, sweatpants, hoodies, etc. As DeWayne posed with everyone for photos, he was serenaded with a Bills cheer: "Heyyyy...Let's Go Buffalo" and even joined in! A group of the program attendees presented DeWayne with a red, white, and blue wreath that they made. Eager to become more involved in the community, DeWayne promised to return and bring some of his football friends next time! Learn more about Day Programs

Training Psychology Doctoral Students to Support People with Disabilities

Faced with a dire need for clinicians and a nationwide lack of those trained to help answer the unique behavioral health needs of those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the agency’s Behavioral Health Department got creative. Dr. Elizabeth Randall, PsyD, LMHC, a psychologist at People Inc., sought membership with the Association of Psychology Postdoctoral and Internship Centers to create a training program . The national organization pairs psychology doctoral students with organizations and training programs. People Inc. has the only program in Western New York specializing in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Joining People Inc. in late summer, doctoral students Robia Robert Vedhanayakam and Michael Retallick each bring a wealth of experience to the agency and have quickly become an integral part of the clinical team. They are joined by Tara D. Howard, PsyD, NCSP, a Post-Doctoral Fellow, who is gaining experience toward her licensure, while offering her expertise to the clinical staff as well. Retallick has relocated for the year from the state of Washington, while Robert Vedhanayakam and Dr. Howard are from Western New York. The program’s primary purpose is to develop skilled practitioners competent in the field of intellectual and developmental disabilities, with specific skills that include providing evidence-based services, accurate diagnosis, and appropriate support and treatment planning. The fellows work within a treatment team to provide clinical support that promotes independence and person-centered care. The fellows bring original ideas and creative problem-solving to the clinical team. Robert Vedhanayakam has introduced using the Uno card game to encourage conversations related to emotions and feelings assigned to colors on the cards. She said that in her time at People Inc., she has tried to unlearn her own biases in working with people with developmental disabilities. Robert Vedhanayakam said she tries to get to know people and their life experiences and is focused on helping them reach their full potential and building meaningful relationships. “My experience here has taught me that being heard and seen is the therapeutic change,” she said. People with developmental disabilities experience many barriers to accessing clinical services, including insurance limitations and limited access to providers who are competent in providing clinical support to this population, Dr. Randall said. The fellows assist with complex evaluations and assessments, bridging the accessibility gap for counseling services by providing in-house counseling to those who have experienced barriers in connecting with a community provider. They provide clinical supervision of practicum students, develop training programs for agency staff, and try to bolster utilization of the agency’s Social Skill Program. The group is already helping to meet the clinical needs of people applying for and/or receiving services from People Inc., creating a win-win for the students and the agency. Retallick brought to the team the use of tabletop role-playing games in social skill training. As a certified therapeutic game master, he uses the collaborative storytelling experience within the framework of the game to encourage relating to the characters, discovering how the characters relate to each other and how the players learn to relate to each other. He shared that the internship program is helping expand and develop his abilities as a clinician. “I have been learning many new assessments and aspects of capacity that I had never been shown in my doctoral studies,” he said. In addition to all the clinical responsibilities, the fellows will undertake at People Inc., Dr. Randall is enthusiastic about the opportunity to build relationships and collaborations within the health-care field, and to create advocates who will take the experience of their fellowship to other health-related entities. She hoped that doors can be opened to educate community providers, helping to remove barriers and increase health outcomes.

Will You Help Us Make a Transformational Impact?

A message from Anne McCaffrey, President & CEO, People Inc. Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of compassionate, high-quality care on the people we serve. The knowledge, creativity, and dedication that our staff exhibit, make me incredibly proud of what we do for people receiving services and their families, and the special ways in which we carry out our mission. As the challenging and rewarding work we do grows and evolves, I’m reaching out to share how you can help us continue to expand this vital work. I invite you to consider donating to the People Inc. Foundation. Our donors make a transformational impact on the programs, facilities, and care People Inc. provides.  Click here  to make a gift today. With rising needs in our community and increased medical complexities, People Inc. is committed to innovation and expanding our resources to help more people and families. There are so many stories of how excellence is displayed by our staff every day. One example is Shirley Fernandez, an LPN clinical coordinator at People Inc., who shared how incredibly proud she is of her and her entire team's role in serving the people at their location. “At my work site, we consider ourselves family. We celebrate birthdays and holidays with residents and their loved ones. We mentor, support, and prepare one another for the opportunities and challenges ahead.” Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission today and our future. Your support provides People Inc. with the financial strength and flexibility necessary to drive our new strategic plans forward and ensure excellence in our programs and services.  

Giving Back and Growing Essential Life Skills

People who participate in People Inc.’s Community Active People Program (CAPP) make a meaningful contribution to the community through their volunteer efforts. Starting their days in Buffalo, Depew, Tonawanda and West Seneca, they increase their community independence and build skills to reach personal goals by helping area organizations. These adults learn how to contribute to the well-being of others while learning about teamwork, responsibility, empathy, organization and communication. Each volunteer shift is a chance to build confidence and independence. Recently, we caught up with some of the busy volunteers supporting the efforts of FeedMore WNY and Harvest House. Helping to get ready for the upcoming holiday season, a group of volunteers helped to sort and stock food donations at FeedMore WNY, which aims to fight hunger and provide meals.

Direct Support Staff Celebrated

Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week held this year from September 8 - 14, is a time to celebrate the vitally important efforts and dedication of our frontline staff, who are passionate about their roles and make a lasting impact on thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This year, we recognized the incredible DSPs across our agency with gift cards and other activities. Whether they are teaching valuable life skills, making a house feel like a home, supporting good health and safety - and much more - DSPs play a crucial role in empowering people to pursue their goals. Our direct support professionals are at the very core of People Inc.'s mission. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards. The submissions told amazing stories of devotion and compassion! To excel in this role and rise to the level of being acknowledged by peers and families, it takes dedication, commitment and talent. The themes that came through in the nominations make that clear. Adjectives such as “motivating,” “passionate,” and “caring” were often repeated. Also, “Being a Team Player” and “Always compassionate.”   Congratulations to our 2024 Direct Support Professionals of the Year: JESSICA LAREN CARLESHA AMBER NICHOLAS CHRISTINE CAMREN RACHEAL WILLIE DEBORAH LISA PANDORA ROSA EMALEE NAKIA TAMARA MATTHEW DEBORAH MUBARAK KATHLEEN KENNETH JASON KASHIF DANIEL JOYCE LORI NOEL TIFFANY JAMES AINSWORTH BARNES BIVENS BOONE CACCIOTTI CHAMBERS CHENEY DICKERSON FAULKNER FERELLA GARRETT GIBSON GONZALEZ HOUSEMAN JONES KEEM KNOTT MCGINLEY MOHAMED MONZ MUNROE MYERS NEWBERN NOONAN REED RICKERT SCHMITT SIMMONS WILLIAMS

People Inc. Pride on Display Summer 2024 Wrap-Up

The summer of 2024 provided many opportunities for the members of the People Inc. family to show their pride in the agency through area cultural parades, flag raisings and community festivals. In addition to the events noted below, the agency also participated in the Rochester Deaf Festival, the Wellsville Rainbow Revolution Pride Festival, the Allegany County Fair, the Steuben County Fair, and the Amherst Family Health Fair. Thanks to all of the staff, friends, families and people we support for the great teamwork preparing for and participating! Disability Pride Month In Buffalo, People Inc. participated in the Disabilities Pride flag-raising ceremony and sponsored the Artists' Showcase during the Disability Pride Festival. JP Morgan Corporate Challenge People Inc. staff joined with other human service agencies for the annual JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Buffalo. Juneteenth Celebrations People Inc. sponsored the Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo, marching and staffing an agency table. The team brought home the first-place prize for Movement for our ASL interpretation of a song. People Inc. staff also volunteered their time to provide information to the community at a table at the Rochester Juneteenth Festival. LGBTQIA+ Pride Events People Inc. marched in the Buffalo Pride Parade and staffed a safe zone area midway on the parade route. In Rochester, staff spread awareness about the agency during the Rochester Rainbow Revolution Pride Festival and the ROC Pride Picnic. Puerto Rican and Hispanic Heritage People Inc. showed our celebration of this vibrant culture beginning with the flag-raising ceremony, marching in the parade, and volunteering at an information table. Wellsville Balloon Rally Parade The Self-Direction Department represents the agency at this annual parade.

Drive Fore People Inc. Golf Tournament a Success

The People Inc. Foundation hosted its annual golf tournament, The Drive Fore People Inc., on July 15 at Park Country Club in Williamsville for a sold-out roster of supporters.  Although storms forced players inside early in the round, guests returned for a wonderful night of dinner, entertainment, silent auction, and a brief program featuring, People Inc. President and CEO, Anne McCaffrey. The day brought together corporate sponsors and donors to People Inc. in support of the agency’s mission to provide programs and services that enhance the lives with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors, the Deaf and hard of hearing, and those seeking affordable housing. The event raised nearly $70,000. Special thanks are extended to all of People Inc.’s sponsors who made the event so successful, especially our Presenting Sponsor, Parkview Health Services, and the Hole-in-One Sponsors, including Long Associates Architects, Uniland Development Corporation and USI Insurance Services LLC.  Erica Sammarco, Senior Vice President for Advancement, who oversees the Foundation, reflected on the event saying, “We are overwhelmed by the consistent outpouring of support and the generosity of all our sponsors. Year after year, they make People Inc. a priority and recognize the critical role the agency plays in enriching the quality of life for Western New Yorkers through our programs and services.”

New Fund Created in the People Inc. Foundation

The People Inc. Foundation helps fund quality of life programs, medical equipment, technology, capital improvements, staff development and advocacy efforts. It relies on community support to provide services to people in need and the efforts of its Foundation Board volunteers.  A restricted fund was recently launched - the President & CEO’s Discretionary Support Fund - in recognition of  People Inc. CEO & President Anne McCaffrey’s new leadership and vision for the future. It will provide essential resources to: Support the development of new and innovative initiatives that engage and enrich the experiences of people receiving services. Address immediate needs and fund unexpected strategic priorities. Provide funds that support our dedicated DSPs when urgent or unexpected expenses arise. The fund was announced in a letter from People Inc. Foundation President William Regan, where he shared: "At People Inc., our services touch the lives of thousands of people annually. My own personal experiences with their staff of professionals and programs have provided me and my loved ones with an abundance of care, strength and hope, along with a vibrant sense of community. People Inc. is committed to investing in the latest resources available and in professional development programs that promote excellence in the delivery of services. It is for these reasons that I fully support the development of the President & CEO’s Discretionary Support Fund." Learn more and donate    

Support People Inc. During the "Give 716" Event

Mark Your Calendar for July 15 - 16! Give 716  is a collaborative giving event organized by the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundations to unite fans and the community in support of local nonprofits. This epic giving event is a one-of-a-kind chance  to donate to People Inc.  while taking advantage of corporate challenges where gifts are matched, or special incentives are offered!  From 7:16 p.m. on July 15 through 11:59 p.m. on July 16, you can join the fun and make a difference with your donation. Every gift made to People Inc. will also be matched by the generosity of Uniland Development Company (up to $4,000)! Donations made to People Inc. will support our many life-changing services benefiting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, essential affordable housing, services for the Deaf and hard of hearing and a range of programs for seniors. Worlds open because of your generous philanthropy! Want to help even more? Share the  Give 716 information  with your networks through social media. Support a great cause, while enjoying these special perks!