| It’s Official: Frederick Becomes CEO
Effective October 1, 2014, Rhonda Frederick will serve as CEO of People Inc. Frederick began working with the agency in 1980 as a direct support staff member in a group home and rose through the ranks to become chief operating officer in 2002. While COO, the agency expanded to include affordable and independent senior housing, improved outcomes, increased efficiency and achieved operational excellence. Frederick was also at the forefront of the agency’s commitment to person-centered solutions to improve the quality of life for individuals receiving supports and services. We are excited to have a member of our family – and a true People Inc. success story – lead the organization into the future. Outgoing CEO James M. Boles, EdD, will now serve as business development and senior research advisor at the Museum of disABILITY History, continuing to conduct and coordinate historical research and writing in disability studies for future publications and trainings.
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| October is Disability Employment Awareness Month
Right now, more than 150 Western New York organizations and businesses rely on People Inc. for staffing, vending and cleaning services as we’ve helped prepare and train hundreds of individuals with developmental disabilities to secure and maintain positions in our local workforce. Our hope is, with the help of recent efforts by Governor Andrew Cuomo, even more individuals will receive employment. On September 17, Governor Cuomo announced he would create an Employment First Commission to provide guidance and advice regarding the competitive integrated employment of individuals with disabilities. We look forward to seeing what recommendations and actions will be made. As we continue to advocate for the employment of our individuals, we invite you to join us and be part of the change. To learn more about how you can employ a People Inc. individual, contact our Vocational Services Department at 716.694.6630.
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| Longtime People Inc. Employee is Named a Black Achiever in Western New York
People Inc. is proud to recognize Nekema Hunte whose exceptional work in our field has earned her recognition as a Black Achiever in Western New York. These awards honor outstanding individuals and show our community the variety and quality of achievements of African Americans. The recognition event will take place at the Adam’s Mark on October 11. To learn more about Nekema’s great accomplishment, click here.
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People Inc. Affiliate to Benefit from New Golisano Center for Community Health in Niagara Falls Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center has received a $3.5 million gift from businessman and philanthropist Tom Golisano to support construction of the innovative new Golisano Center for Community Health in Niagara Falls. The new facility will house a satellite office and client Self-Advocacy Center for Rivershore, Inc., a People Inc. affiliate, to help people living with disabilities tap into and utilize existing community resources, gain independence and achieve an improved quality of life. For more information, click here.
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|  | Pictured L-R: Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. president and chief executive officer; Ann Costello, Golisano Foundation director; Paul A. Dyster, mayor of Niagara Falls; Richard Hermanson, Rivershore self-advocacy advisor; Joseph A. Ruffolo, Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center president and chief executive officer; medical center volunteers Joan Lee and Judy Tracy; and Jeff Sanderson, Rivershore, Inc. executive director. | |
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Join us for the world Premiere of Kelly’s Hollywood
The Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series presents Kelly’s Hollywood, an inspirational film about a brother’s quest to fulfill his sister’s dream of becoming a Hollywood diva. Rated PG-13, the film was is produced and directed by Buffalo native and St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute graduate Brian Donovan. Event Date: Friday, October 17
Movie Times: 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Movie Location: Amherst Dipson Theatre, 3500 Main Street, Buffalo
Cost: $10 per person in advance, $15 per person on the day of the event, free for members of the Museum of disABILITY History
Buy tickets online Reception with Brian Donovan: 5 p.m., 3826 Main Street, Buffalo
Information: 716.629.3626
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| New Date Set for Kelly Clarkson Concert Last November, People Inc. helped welcome Microsoft to Buffalo at the grand opening of their new Microsoft Store at the Walden Galleria Mall. As part of the exciting festivities, event attendees had the chance to enter to win tickets to an exclusive Kelly Clarkson concert. 100 lucky winners were chosen, but unfortunately the concert was postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. We are pleased to announce that the exclusive concert is set to take place on Saturday, October 25, at 7 p.m. at Shea’s Performing Arts Center so if you are one of the lucky ticket winners from last November, get ready for a special night! Whether or not you kept your wristband, please contact Sarah Snyder by October 10 at ssnyder@people-inc.org or 716.817.7269 to confirm that your name is on the guest list. Winners who do not confirm will not be admitted. Microsoft awarded People Inc. $1.9 million in Microsoft software to upgrade its operating systems and also $10,000 in hardware.
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| Spotlight: Seniors Unlimited Program
People Inc. is an active supporter of individuals with Alzheimer’s. Our Seniors Unlimited program is a social day program that meets the needs of adults who have developed dementia or memory loss, which may have been caused by Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s disease or other illnesses. The unique day program is now accepting participants and is a resource to caregivers for their loved ones who suffer from this devastating disease. For more information, click here.
To help raise awareness for Alzheimer’s, People Inc. was a proud sponsor of the Alzheimer’s Association WNY Chapter Walk to End Alzheimer’s. Additionally, a team of staff, along with their family and friends, participated in the Buffalo walk on August 20 to show support and to raise funds!
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|  | Pictured L-R: Chuck Mayer, Theresa Spoonley, Elianna Spoonley, Egypt Trotman, Nicole Primiano, Denise Litz, Jessica Milano, Melissa McMurray, April Caggiano, Autumn Lambert and Kelly Macagnone. | |
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| Author Stephen Nawotniak Presents at Museum of disABILITY History
The Museum of disABILITY History will welcome Stephen Nawotniak, author of Handbook for Healthy Living with a Mood Disorder. Nawotniak, who has bipolar disorder and is a licensed occupational therapist, focuses on constructing a meaningful quality of life using skills that are effective and important for everybody while addressing and accommodating the needs unique to bipolar disorder. When: Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m.
Where: Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo
Cost: Adults – $5, Students, Seniors, and Human Service Employees – $2.50, Members of the Museum of disABILITY History – free.
Information/RSVP: Call 716.629.3626
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Test Drive a Lincoln MKC at Towne and Support People Inc.!
You are cordially invited to the Lincoln MKC Launch Event to support People Inc. The event will be held on Wednesday, October 22, at 6 p.m., Towne Ford Lincoln 3535 Southwestern Boulevard, Orchard Park. Join us in the Lincoln showroom to test drive the Lincoln MKC. For each person who test drives the Lincoln MKC, Towne Lincoln will donate $50 to People Inc. RSVP by October 15, to Brittany Miller at Bmiller@towneauto.com or 716.662.6500, ext. 2560.
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| AmazonSmile Benefits People Inc.
Do you enjoy online shopping and want to help People Inc. at the same time? Here is your chance! AmazonSmile is an easy way for you to support People Inc. every time you shop at no cost to you. When you shop at smile.amazon.com, you will find the exact same low prices, selection and convenient shopping experience as Amazon.com, with the added bonus that Amazon will donate 0.5 percent of the purchase price from your eligible AmazonSmile purchases to People Inc.! Happy shopping!
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PEOPLE INC. IN THE NEWS Recent news stories that include information from People Inc. and agency representatives
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OTHER LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL NEWS
BuzzFeed Entertainment: How “Parenthood” Broke Down the Autism Awareness Barrier
“With showrunner Jason Katims’ raw storytelling and the passion and dedication of young actor Max Burkholder, the NBC drama has depicted a journey never before seen on network television, shedding light on life on the spectrum.”
Huffington Post: This Man with Severe Cerebral Palsy Created Mind-Blowing Art Using Just a Typewriter
“You don’t have to be able to hold a pencil or a paintbrush to be a brilliant artist. And Paul Smith, a man born with severe spastic cerebral palsy, proves just that.”
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| Emagine is amonthly E-publication for friends of People Inc. Produced by the People Inc. Public Relations & Marketing Department Leslie Garrity, Director
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