People Inc. Celebrates 50th Anniversary 

People Inc. was officially established on August 14, 1970. I’m so pleased to share that this month marks the 50th anniversary of the agency! I have been a part of People Inc. for 40 years and I’m so proud of how far we have come! It’s a time to look back on all of our accomplishments. We are also in a middle of a pandemic – a time that I certainly could not have imagined – we are getting through this together.

We started with just a small group of parents and professionals who joined together to address the needs of people with intellectual disabilities and formed what would grow to become People Inc. Now, we are many – not only in numbers, but also in the programs and services we offer for people of all ages and abilities, our employees and areas served throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region.

Our continuum of programs and services have evolved to support 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults. Over the years, we have expanded these services to support even more people to live, work and thrive – to be independent, to have access to supports and health services and affordable, safe housing – all while promoting independence and fulfilling experiences. As other organizations affiliated with People Inc., services were preserved in the community and expanded to even more people.

To all of our loyal families, 4,000 employees, supporters and community partners, thank you for being a part of the People Inc. journey for the past five decades, through developing innovative programs and services, providing opportunities for independence and inclusion, as well as advocacy and fundraising.

While we won’t be able to celebrate in-person in the short-term due to the national pandemic, we look forward to safer and better times ahead. I want to reassure you that People Inc. is focused on continuing to provide high quality services and safe environments for the people we support and for our staff. We will celebrate our 50th anniversary between August 2020 and July 2021. We will include information in this e-newsletter, our social media channels and website as the celebration continues.

Here’s to many more accomplishments. Let’s continue to tell the People Inc. story!

Gratefully,

Rhonda Frederick

President and CEO, People Inc.