People Inc. and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department Host Ceremony of Remembrance at Niagara County Almshouse Cemetery

People Inc. and the Niagara County Sheriff’s Department will host a Ceremony of Remembrance to honor the lives of individuals who now rest at Niagara County Almshouse Cemetery on Niagara Street Extension in Lockport . The event will be held on Thursday, October 18, at 2:30 p.m. at 5526 Niagara Street Extension, Lockport. The cemetery is located across the street from the Niagara County Sheriff’s Office, between Townline Road and Sunset Drive . Former residents of the Niagara County Almshouse will be commemorated with a program, candle lighting, an unveiling of a memorial garden and music. Approximately, 70 names of individuals laid to rest in the cemetery will be read during the program.   The cemetery recorded burials from 1830-1912 and estimates that more than 1,400 people who resided at the Niagara County Almshouse are buried there most with anonymous graves. The burial grounds, above the former location of the Almshouse or Poorhouse, were overgrown with vines and bushes.   Over the past many months, People Inc. staff and volunteers restored the cemetery. Professors and students from the Buffalo State College Anthropology Department used ground penetrating radar to determine the location of the cemetery.   Records will be transcribed from the Niagara County Historian’s Office and the Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., to create a searchable database. Research has shown that the individuals of the Niagara County Almshouse were considered “sick, insane and crippled.” It is one of the first institutions of care that were provided to people with disabilities, said James M. Boles, president of People Inc. The restoration endeavor is an example of the strides that have been made in the treatment of people with disabilities and to acknowledge their history.   People Inc. would like to acknowledge the community members that have been instrumental to help initiate this cemetery restoration project: Niagara County Sheriff’s Office; Niagara County Division of Buildings and Grounds; Niagara County Historian’s Office; Niagara County Building and Grounds Commissioner; Niagara County Historical Society; Niagara County Clerk Office; George Maziarz; New York State Senator; Niagara County Legislature; Buffalo State College and Niagara County Sheriff James Voutour. Calamar Construction donated their time and equipment and Orleans Monument Company donated the memorial granite bench.   This is the fourth cemetery which People Inc. staff and volunteers have helped to restore. In total, approximately 3,500 graves of patients in the Office of Mental Health and New York State Office for People with Developmental Disabilities system have been touched by the work. Monuments were placed in three previous cemeteries.

People Inc. and WNY Urban Arts Collective Begin Jefferson Avenue Mural Project

Local Art Initiative Becomes a Blueprint for Using Art to Beautify Neighborhoods September 17, 2020: People Inc. and the WNY Urban Arts Collective (UAC) announced the official start of the Jefferson Apartments Art Mural Project. This important community effort will represent the rich history of Jefferson Avenue through artwork from several local artists who were recently commissioned for the project. The mural artwork will be displayed on the newly-constructed Jefferson Avenue Apartments, located at 1140 and 1166 Jefferson Avenue in Buffalo, NY. The ground floor of both buildings will contain a total of 16,500 square feet of commercial space, which will include retail shops and house a People Inc. recruitment office.   The formal process to bring about this art project began the summer of 2019, as a collaboration between People Inc. and the WNY Urban Arts Collective. Together, with people from around the community, they formed the Jefferson Apartments Art Mural Committee. In November of last year, the community came together to select the mural themes that will now grace the side of each of the new People Inc. affordable apartment buildings on Jefferson Avenue. At the beginning of 2020, the committee turned over those artistic themes and ideas to the WNY Urban Arts Collective. In February, there was also a community-wide call for artists and artwork. Unfortunately, the unexpected COVID-19 pandemic and recent racial tensions reached a tipping point. During this time, the committee and amazing artists stayed committed to creating artwork that would be reflective of the ideas and our community’s history. “This initiative will become a blueprint for using art to beautify the community, instill pride and convey ownership, in an attempt to uplift others,” said Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. president and CEO. “It has been so impressive to see the beautiful artwork progress that has been made to encourage inclusion, equity and acceptance within our community.” The goals of the project are to create collection of murals that set the transformative platform for fine arts within community neighborhoods. The artwork of Jefferson Avenue will be indicative of relatable images that create urban art galleries to beautify these neighborhoods.  John Baker stated, “Years from now, when this project is history, the community of artists involved will be part of the story for future generations.” Thanks to the dedication, input and time given by the community, the selections were made and the following artists will create the murals (and possibly art renderings): John Baker (art director/coordinator/contributing artist), President The WNY Urban Arts Collective. Kobie Barber (artist) - Warp Speed: Children working on the “warp speed” equations to create reality out of theory. Trying to highlight/focus on bringing math and sciences back to the intercity – Knowledge equals Power. Markenzy Julius Cesar (contributing artist): Born in Haiti, he has lived in the United States since 1987. In 1993, he moved to Buffalo, NY, to pursue a Bachelor of Fine Arts from SUNY College at Buffalo. Cesar came to feel a connection with Western New York and has built a life with his family in the region. James Cooper III (artist) - Elements of Jefferson: Cultural representation of Jefferson Avenue legacy, the first host of the Juneteenth Festival. This includes images of historic landmarks and colors meant to convey a vibrant energetic mood of liveliness. Gino Morrow (artist) - Jefferson Jubilee: People, Families, Children, Concerts, Parades/ Marchers, Festivals and a reflection of many experiences. Meaningful and impactful – creative interpretation of the celebrations of life culture and beauty. As a Buffalo native, he reflects upon his childhood and Juneteenth activities. Mark G. Pearce (artist) - Strong Solo: A powerful tenor saxophone soliloquy captures the ear of the listener. Symbolic of Buffalo's vibrant jazz legacy, it is a tribute to Buffalo's great musical heritage. Phyllis Thompson (artist) - Ancestor Watching Over: Depicts an ancestor seated at a table gazing back at all who look at her. The shapes, patterns and colors that surround her are influenced from family quilts and wallpaper. The spirit of elders and ancestors is always present as they guide, protect and watch over the community. Princessa Williams (contributing artist): Her diversity as an artist, paint instructor, photographer and jewelry designer, the Buffalo, NY native’s artwork is compelling symbolism of black empowerment and abstract designs. Well known for its development of group homes for people with developmental disabilities and affordable senior housing, People Inc. continues to serve the community by bringing various audiences together for a unique housing model. The Jefferson Avenue Apartments house 89 total apartments (71 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom). Some apartments have been specifically designed for people who have mobility and vision challenges or who are Deaf/Hard of Hearing; the remaining apartments are handicapped adaptable. People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews .

People Inc. and WNY Urban Arts Collective Seek Community Feedback on Mural Theme

November 6, 2019 – Buffalo, NY:  On Wednesday, October 30 at 5:30 p.m., over 70 people came out to make their collective voice and vision heard and recorded at a community meeting in the Frank E. Merriweather Jr. Branch Library Auditorium. Committee co-chairs and People Inc. employees Christie Nelson and Bradford Watts joined Jocelyn Bos and Rachel Rodriguez of People Inc., alongside fellow committee members including John Baker, president of the WNY Urban Arts Collective; Constance D. Strother, vice president of the WNY Urban Arts Collective; and architect Mark Brooks of Long Associates, who surveyed and collected the community's suggestions for the theme of artwork to be displayed at 1140 and 1166 Jefferson Avenue Apartments. The ground floor of both buildings will contain a total of 16,500 square feet of commercial space, which will include retail shops and house a People Inc. recruitment office. A huge thanks goes to the committee and Ms. Rodriguez for fielding and answering questions from the community, as well as for their valuable time and expertise to help push this initiative and vision forward. Well known for its development of group homes for individuals with developmental disabilities and affordable senior housing, People Inc. continues to serve the community by bringing various audiences together for a unique housing model. The Jefferson Avenue Apartments house 89 total apartments (71 one-bedroom and 18 two-bedroom). Some apartments have been specifically designed for people who are mobility and vision/hearing impaired; the remaining apartments are handicapped adaptable.  People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 10,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, special needs, their families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

People Inc. Announces 2008 Board of Directors

BUFFALO, N.Y., January 06, 2008: People Inc. is pleased to announce the agency's Board of Directors for 2008: Robert B. Mayer, retired executive for Fleet/Norstar Bank, will serve as chairperson in his second year of a two year term. He resides in Kenmore. Other officers include: Resident of Amherst, William M. Collins, of Travers Collins and Company, as vice chairperson; Orchard Park resident and retired executive of Marine Midland Bank Patrick F. Reilly will serve as treasurer; and David M. Downing of Orchard Park and Towne Auto Group will serve as secretary. The following board members will also serve throughout 2008 and 2009: David Hall of East Amherst and retired partner of Hodgson Russ; Edwin G. Clausen of Buffalo and Daemen College; Nancy R. Dobson of Clarence and Uniland Development Company; William E. Finn of Amherst and The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care; Georgiana Jungels, of Buffalo and State University of New York at Buffalo; Alfred F. Luhr III, of Snyder and M&T Bank; and Eugene Meeks of Williamsville and Child and Family Services. The following will continue as part of their term that ends 12/31/08: Joseph J. Abdallah of East Amherst and Greater Frontier Niagara Council Boy Scouts of America; and Mary Ann Kedron of Buffalo and the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery. In order to effectively meet the legal and moral obligations of governing an organization as large as People Inc., the Board operates as a policy-making body, using the Policy Governance model. The Board is able to direct and guide the organization to achieve certain results, while operating in a prudent and ethical manner. For more information about People Inc.'s Board of Directors, contact Foundation and Corporate Affairs Director Denise Paszkiewicz at 817-7470. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families, and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

People Inc. Announces 2009 Board of Directors

BUFFALO, N.Y., January 20, 2009: People Inc. is pleased to announce the agency's Board of Directors for 2009: William M. Collins , of Travers Collins and Company, will serve as chairperson. He resides in Amherst. Other officers include: David M. Downing of Orchard Park and Towne Auto Group as vice chairperson; Orchard Park resident and retired executive of Marine Midland Bank Patrick F. Reilly will serve as treasurer; and Joseph J. Abdallah of East Amherst and Leadership Buffalo. The following board members will also serve throughout 2009: Robert B. Mayer, of Kenmore, a retired executive for Fleet/Norstar Bank; Edwin G. Clausen, Ph.D, of Buffalo and Daemen College; Nancy R. Dobson of Clarence and Uniland Development Company; William E. Finn of Amherst and The Center for Hospice and Palliative Care; Georgiana Jungels, of Buffalo and State University of New York at Buffalo; Mary Ann Kedron, Ph.D, of Buffalo and the University at Buffalo Department of Neurosurgery; Alfred F. Luhr III, of Snyder and M&T Bank; Eugene Meeks of Williamsville and Child and Family Services; and David E. Hall, Esq., of East Amherst, a retired partner of Hodgson, Russ. In order to effectively meet the legal and moral obligations of governing an organization as large as People Inc., the Board operates as a policy-making body, using the Policy Governance� model. The Board is able to direct and guide the organization to achieve certain results, while operating in a prudent and ethical manner. For more information about People Inc.'s Board of Directors, contact Foundation and Corporate Affairs Director Denise Paszkiewicz at 817-7470.

People Inc. Announces 2023 Retirement of President and CEO

After eight years leading People Inc., President and CEO Rhonda Frederick announced she will retire in April 2023. Frederick ’s retirement plans will bring to a close a remarkable career of 43 years of service at People Inc.  “Rhonda’s contributions over her career have been extraordinary, not only to People Inc., but to the fields of disability and senior services across the region and State. Our People Inc. staff, board and our many partners feel privileged to work with Rhonda and are enormously grateful for her dynamic leadership," says JoAnne Hudecki, People Inc. Board Chairperson.  The board of directors will oversee the process to choose Rhonda’s successor and has hired Catapult Executive Coaching to assist. The Catapult team will support the Board’s Transition Committee as part of a phased plan including an executive search and stakeholder engagement process.  “Rhonda shared her retirement plans with the Board of Directors last year, giving us plenty of time to prepare the organization for the transition," says Hudecki. “We are pleased to be working with Catapult and the senior team on a planful process that will take us in to next year. Rhonda has made a priority of building a strong leadership team and we’re working together toward a seamless transition.”  “I know our organization and community will be in good hands with our Board of Directors and the exceptional leadership team and incredibly dedicated staff who will carry our work forward. The strong culture of People Inc., and the deep commitment to the mission and values and future-oriented vision are what makes this place so amazing. I’m looking forward to our work over the next year to maintain momentum leading to what comes next for this outstanding and impactful organization,” says Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. president and CEO. People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org, follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews.

People Inc. Announces March Virtual Training for Care Coordinators

The popular People Inc. Lunch and Learn is returning for 2022! Interested Care Coordinators are invited to join us on Thursday, March 24, as we host our monthly virtual “Lunch and Learn” workshop from noon to 1:00 p.m.  An overview of “Environmental Modifications (E-Mods)” will be presented by Casey J. Moore, project manager at People Inc. Some of the discussion will focus on: What is an E-Mod? How can it benefit the people I work with? What qualifies for an E-Mod? How do you apply for an E-mod and what is the process? Registration is required. Please contact Chip McDaniel at cmcdaniel@people-inc.org  or 585.719.3413 by the end of the day on Tuesday, March 22. You will then receive the link for the training by email. We look forward to your questions and active participation during this workshop! Please share this  flyer  with others who may be interested.

People Inc. Announces New Board of Directors Members

Non-profit agency names 3 to policy-making body People Inc., the largest health and human services non-profit agency in Western New York, has added three new members to its Board of Directors: Grant Loomis, Angelica Perez-Delgado and B.J. Stasio.   The new appointments will play a key role in advancing the mission of the organization: People Inc. exists so that people with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society.  Loomis, a resident of Clarence Center, is the vice president of Government Affairs and Economic Development for Buffalo Niagara Partnership. Grant is responsible for developing and advancing the Buffalo Niagara Partnership advocacy agenda by actively engaging external and internal stakeholders to achieve organizational goals and advance the organization’s strategic priorities. Loomis has an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University. Perez-Delgado, a resident of Rochester, is the president and CEO of Ibero-American Action League. With more than 25 years of nonprofit career experience, she was previously the chief administrative officer and chief compliance officer for Villa of Hope. Perez-Delgado has a Master of Science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services from Empire State College. Stasio, a resident of Buffalo, is the Self-Advocacy coordinator for Western New York Developmental Disabilities State Operations Office, focused on person-centered planning, trainings and voting issues for people with disabilities. A disability rights advocate, he is president of the Board of Directors of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Stasio has an Associate’s of Science from Erie Community College.  “I’m honored to welcome Grant Loomis, Angelica Perez-Delgado and B.J. Stasio to our Board of Directors,” said JoAnne Hudecki, chairperson, People Inc. Board of Directors. “As we move forward to a new year, it is important that our board membership continues to reflect various leadership experiences and perspectives to uphold the values of People Inc. and to best support the people we serve and our community.” In order to effectively meet the legal and moral obligations of governing an organization as large and complex as People Inc., the Board of Directors operates as a policy-making body, using the Policy Governance® model. The Board’s emphasis is placed on determining agency outcomes, while directing and guiding the organization to achieve results.  People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org , follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews .  

People Inc. Announces New Website with Improved Navigation and Features

People Inc. proudly announces New American Disabilities Act (ADA) compliant and responsive website with improved navigation, events, locations and content to enhance the agency’s online presence, while reflecting its agency brand to people in need of supports, families, care coordinators, healthcare professionals, senior/older adults, donors, business partners and employees.