| Happy Holidays from People Inc.!
From all of us at People Inc., we wish you a happy, safe and healthy holiday season and new year! Please take a moment to watch our fun holiday greeting. The winning selection of our 2014 holiday card artwork contest is shown at the end of the video. Congratulations to Alexandra Schmitt, participant in our Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) Program at Erie Community College for her design!
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 | Pictured L-R: Vince Prestia, Denny’s regional manager; Donald Walker, Denny’s general manager; and Craig Donatelli, Denny’s employee and participant of People Inc.’s Supported Employment. | |
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People Inc. Program Participant and Denny’s Restaurant Honored
Craig Donatelli wanted a job just like everyone else. With the assistance of People Inc.’s Supported Employment program, he achieved this goal in 2010. For more than three years, Craig has been employed by Denny’s Restaurant, first joining the Hamburg location as a part-time service assistant. He now works at their Amherst location, his nametag proudly displaying years of service pins. Denny’s and its managers have been great supporters of people with disabilities and, as such, recently received an award during the National Disability Employment Awareness Month Luncheon held at the Columns Banquets Hall in Elma. People Inc. is proud to have great supporters like Denny’s on our side, making dreams of independence come true. More than 150 organizations rely on People Inc. for staffing, vending and cleaning services. People Inc. thanks Denny’s Restaurant and all other local businesses that help increase employment rates for individuals with disabilities.
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| Thank You for Giving on Giving Tuesday
Giving Tuesday took place on December 2, and People Inc. proudly raised a total of $3,317 during the globally-recognized day dedicated to giving back. Everyone who made a donation was entered to win a $50 American Express gift card and our own Kevin Horrigan, associate vice president, was selected as the winner. He generously donated the card to a family who is in need this holiday season. Thank you to everyone who participated!
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| Participants Give Back to Community
Over the past few months, many of our program participants enjoyed giving back to the community. Participants from our Senior Day Habilitation program painted windows at the Wesleyan Church of Hamburg South Creek Campus. Participants from our Young Adult Life Transitions (YALT) program of Canisius College made flyers and posters to promote an American Red Cross event at their school. Kudos to everyone!
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| People Inc. Advocates on Behalf of the Developmentally Disabled and their Families
In August, Senator Charles Schumer was joined by a number of non-profit providers, parents and advocates at People Inc.’s headquarters in Williamsville to promote the Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act. We applaud the efforts of Congressmembers Chris Collins and Brian Higgins with passage of the ABLE Act in the House of Representatives. Passage in the Senate is expected. Some have said it is the most significant piece of legislation for people with disabilities since the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) Act of 1990. To learn more, click here. For a tutorial on the act for parents and providers, click here.
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Respite Care Enhances Quality of Life
Respite care is temporary care away from home. For many families, respite is crucial to caring for a loved one with a developmental disability. People Inc. offers a variety of respite services to suit personal needs whether it is during the holiday season, after school, vacation time, emergency care or if there is a need for a break. People Inc. has two Respite House programs located in Bowmansville and Wheatfield. Additionally, In-Home Respite and Extended Family Care are provided, as well as after school and weekend programs. Respite can take place regularly or intermittently as needed. For more information, click here.
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|  | Wende Burgio, People Inc. Senior Living intake specialist. |
| Are YOU Eligible for People Inc. Senior Living?
Knowing if you or a loved one is eligible is a common concern when thinking about affordable senior housing. People Inc. Senior Living provides affordable and safe housing for independent seniors ages 62 and up at 19 locations throughout Western New York. For a flyer about eligibility, click here. For friendly customer service, our Senior Living Intake Specialist Wende Burgio is happy to explain more about eligibility and direct you to a specific location’s manager to set up an apartment tour. Our team is happy to help you or a loved one identify the community they love and want to live in. Call us at 716.817.9090.
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Recent news stories that include information from People Inc. and agency representatives.
“Helping others on Giving Tuesday:” People Inc. is included as one of the organizations accepting donations. WGRZ-TV Channel 2: December 2, 2014.
“Food aid in Lackawanna focuses on seniors:” People Inc. Sunflower Senior Living is included. The Buffalo News, November 24, 2014.
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OTHER LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL NEWS
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Buffalo Business First: Advocating for disabled never ceases
“Families and caregivers for individuals with disabilities are tired of waiting for residential and program opportunities for their children.” The Buffalo News: Project offers disability training to first responders
“Discrimination is usually easy to recognize, but when it comes to the disabled population, things are not always so clear.” Disability Scoop: Sensory Rooms Gaining in Popularity
“For students with disabilities, such rooms – also called multisensory rooms, tranquility rooms or relaxation rooms – provide a much-needed haven.” ABC News: When a Little Girl with Down syndrome Showed what’s ‘Possible’
“I probably shouldn’t have been surprised to learn that Penny was one of four kids from her third grade class to advance to the all-school spelling bee.”
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Help Five Young Adults Enjoy Nature Like Never Before
For five young adults with multiple developmental disabilities, their group home is a haven where they receive the critical care they need. Yet, severe disabilities and medical complications mean they spend the majority of the year indoors. For Erica, Kiera, Jessica T., Ryan and Jessica C., we want to bring sunshine to them all year long – and you can help! By supporting this year’s Annual Fund, you will make it possible for an all-season sunroom to be built onto their group home in Grand Island. Please consider making a donation and bringing their dream to reality. To help, click here. Thank you!
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| Buy Some Jewelry, Help People Inc.
If you are looking for a unique gift this holiday season, please consider Embrace the Difference™ jewelry. $10 to $30 of each purchase benefits People Inc.! Just be sure to choose People Inc. when asked to select your charity of choice. There are lots of new pieces to choose from!
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People Inc. Marigold Senior Living Craft Sale and Open House
People Inc. Marigold Senior Living will host a Holiday Craft Sale and Open House. Seniors in need of affordable housing and family members assisting their loved ones are encouraged to attend to receive a tour and learn about income eligibility. Holiday crafts will be featured, including crocheted items, unique decorations and ornaments. Those interested can meet with tenants, tour the building and learn about People Inc. Senior Living from expert staff.
When: Friday, December 12, from noon to 5 p.m.
Where: 3026 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island
Information: 716.773.0907
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| NEWS FROM THE MUSEUM OF DISABILITY HISTORY
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Workshop: “Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in the Classroom”
A Dialogues on disABILITY Workshop, “Tourette Syndrome and Associated Disorders in the Classroom,” will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2015, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Susan Conners, author and president and founder of the Tourette Syndrome Association of Greater NYS, will present. Educators, human service professionals, parents and students are encouraged to attend. The cost is $40 for adults and $10 for students; includes continental breakfast and lunch. Limited to first 80 participants. Continuing Education Units and certificates of attendance provided. Click here for a registration form or call 716.629.3626 with payment information.
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| Emagine is a monthly E-publication for friends of People Inc. Produced by the People Inc. Marketing Communications Department Leslie Garrity, Director
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