NEW DATE! Board Members Honor Dr. Boles

Due to inclement weather, the board member event to honor Dr. Boles originally scheduled for November 19 at the Park Country Club has been rescheduled for January 14 at the Park Country Club. Please RSVP by January 1 to ssullivan@people-inc.org.

People Inc. Pine Senior Living in Lockport Hosts Open House

Contact: Nicole Forgione, Public Affairs Manager Direct: 716-817-7490 or nforgione@people-inc.org  Learn about Apartment Income Eligibility and Enjoy Laughter Yoga  People Inc. Pine Senior Living will host an Open House on Thursday, November 13, from 2 to 6 p.m., at 6231 Tonawanda Creek North, Lockport (off Transit Road near Millersport Highway). Seniors and family members will have the opportunity to meet with expert staff to learn about income eligibility, tour an apartment and talk with tenants.  There will be plenty of time to socialize and laugh as a Laughter Yoga session by a certified instructor will be held from 4:30 to 5:15 p.m. Laughter yoga combines laughter exercises with yoga breathing.  For independent seniors age 62 or older, People Inc. Pine Senior Living provides monthly rent based on income and some utilities. Apartments include a living room, one bedroom, kitchen with appliances and accessible bathroom. Potential tenants need to meet both the federally mandated income and age requirements at the time of application. The exceptionally maintained apartment building includes a furnished community room, laundry facilities, 24-hour on-call building services and group transportation to grocery stores. Small pets are welcome. Service coordinators are available to provide connections to services as needed to tenants at no extra charge. For seniors who like to remain active, there are a variety of social activities held throughout the year.  Apartment applications are currently being accepted. The apartment building is conveniently located close to the shopping district of Transit Road, restaurants and the Dale Association. For more information or to reserve a tour, call 716-433-3381.  People Inc. manages 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York providing safe, affordable housing for seniors age 62 and older who meet income requirements. For more information about other locations, call 716-817-9090.  People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 10,000 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.

Celebrate the Holidays with Universal Mind at the Museum of disABILITY History

November 6, 2014: On December 5, 2014, a unique holiday party featuring local band Universal Mind will be held at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street in Buffalo. The event will take place from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. and is free to all.  Sponsored by Aspire of Western New York, the band Universal Mind is comprised of musicians who are all “differently-abled.” Formed in 2007, the group performs some of the greatest rock hits from the 50s, 60s, 70s, 80s, as well as their own dynamic material. They have taken their passion, energy and love for music and have committed themselves to sharing it with others.  Light refreshments and tours of the Museum will be available, along with a holiday basket raffle. Additionally, the Museum Store will be open for shopping convenience, and a gift wrapping station will be available for items that have already been purchased. Simply bring in pre-purchased gifts and have them wrapped by the Museum of disABILITY History team for only $1.00 per gift (up to five gifts).  For more information, call 716-629-3626.  The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation, and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs, and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.

RESCHEDULED: Learn About SmartHomes and SmartSupports

Kitchen countertops that adjust to wheelchair height or the ability for an individual in a wheelchair to control lighting, telephone and security without relying on others are just a few of the many features available in SmartHomes. On May 14, 2015 (rescheduled from November 19), People Inc. invites you to attend Implementing Technology: From SmartHomes to SmartSupports to learn more about the assessments, technology and support needs used when developing a SmartHome. The presentation will be led by Greg Wellems, Chief Operating Officer at Imagine!, who began developing SmartHomes in Colorado.   Learn more about the seminar and download the registration form here .

Test Drive a Lincoln MKC to 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.

Proud to recognize Nekema Hunte

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 in Western New York. The recognition event will take place on October 11 at the Adam’s Mark. Nekema, who was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, moved to Western New York in 2000 to attend the University at Buffalo. She soon realized she wanted to work in the human and social services field and, in 2007, would join the People Inc. family as direct care staff. Nekema now works as a program manager in our Personal Enrichment Program. Previously, she worked in group homes and provided hands on care to the men and women we serve. She has also worked in Day Habilitation facilities as a primary instruction and support management specialist. Through all that she does, Nekema works to help our individuals to be integrated into the community and reach their goals in life. As she now works to obtain a degree in sociology, she hopes to further her education even more with a master’s degree and a doctorate in clinical psychology. She also dreams of one day opening a health center with an array of services and service providers for people with these disabilities to come to, feel comfortable at and know they are getting the right services. If all of that weren’t enough, Nekema is active in her church and even owns her own business, “A Piece of This A Piece of That,” selling hair accessories, bowties, and soon, t-shirts. “I want to thank People Inc. for the experience they have given me ,” said Nekema. “It has helped to shape who I am today.” Nekema is a true example of a People Inc. success story. Please join us in congratulating her in this great honor.

Buffalo Natives Featured in Kelly's Hollywood at Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series

Film Illuminates "It's not who you are when you're born, but who you are when you live" The Museum of disABILITY History Film and Speaker Series will feature a documentary this October with Buffalo roots. The featured film Kelly’s Hollywood will be held on Friday, October 17, with two showings at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at Dipson Amherst Theatre, 3500 Main Street, Buffalo. The movie is Brian Donovan’s tribute to his sister, Kelly, who was born with Down syndrome. A 1985 graduate of St. Joseph’s Collegiate Institute, Brian moved to Hollywood and became a writer, actor, director and producer. The inspirational film is about a brother’s quest to help his sister fulfill her dream of becoming a Hollywood diva. When asked why he created this documentary, Brain explained, “When I picked up the camera 15 years ago, I didn’t have much of an agenda. I was capturing moments in Kelly’s life that inspired me, but when those moments started to affect me more directly, I got more serious.” The purpose of the Film Series event is to provide entertainment, educate, challenge stereotypes and explore issues faced by individuals with disabilities. The event goal mirrors Brian's reasoning for the film. Brian shared, “By documenting my sister, I hope the film illuminates that it’s not who you are when you’re born, but who you are when you live that’s important.” In between the movie showings, a reception with keynote speaker Brian Donovan will be held at 5 p.m. at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo (half mile from theatre). Movie tickets are available in advance online and at the Museum of disABILITY History and also available during the event at the Amherst Dipson Theatre. Tickets are $10 per person in advance and $15 on the day of the event. The reception is free to all film screening patrons. For more information or tickets, go to disabilityfilmfest.org or call 716-629-3626. The 80-minute documentary is rated PG-13. Event proceeds benefit the Museum of disABILITY History, Bornhava and Cantalician Center. Sponsors include: Andruschat Law Firm, Buffalo Healthy Living, The Buffalo News and the New York State Council on the Arts. Brian Donovan has been a professional actor for more than 24 years in film, television and radio. He has worked on-screen with such top actors and actresses such as Jim Belushi, Jim Carrey and Angelina Jolie. He has been the voice of countless animated heroes; currently as Rock Lee from the juggernaut hit, Naruto. Early next year, he can be seen in the indie film, Secrets of an Unborn Child.
In addition, he has been the executive director of the Los Angeles Repertory Theatre since 1994, producing and directing more than 50 inner-city high school workshops and live shows. He is also the creator, writer and producer of the Mighty Me Training Camp, a top ranking children’s self-empowerment program streamed by Discovery Education for more than five years. A past resident of Kenmore, NY, Donovan now lives in Los Angeles, CA with his family.

Author Stephen Nawotniak Focuses Presentation on Bipolar Disorder and using Effective Tools for an Enhanced Quality of Life at Museum of disABILITY History

The Museum of disABILITY History will welcome Stephen Nawotniak, author of Handbook for Healthy Living with a Mood Disorder , as its next featured presenter for its Dialogues on disABILITY Speaker Series. The presentation entitled, “Stepping Beyond Illness,” will be held on Friday, October 3, at 7 p.m., at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Nawotniak will share his personal story and how some activities from his book can support a person in designing a desired quality of life. A review on “The Acceptance Ladder” (a tool in the book), along with a question and answer session will be included.   In 2012, Nawotniak was diagnosed with bipolar disorder after a weeklong hospitalization for severe depression. He has been coping with the symptoms and is currently in the process of recovery. In his book, Nawotniak offers an experienced-based sharing of skills and tools that have worked for him. Relying on his expertise as a licensed occupational therapist, he 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.The presentation is geared towards individuals with a mental health diagnosis and their friends and family, mental health and medical professionals and college students.   The Dialogues on disABILITY event is $5 for adults and $2.50 for seniors, students and human service employees and free for members of the Museum of disABILITY History. The event fee includes admission to the gallery space of the Museum of disABILITY History. For more information or to register, call 716-629-3626.   The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is dedicated to the collection, preservation and display of artifacts relating to the history of people with disabilities. The mission is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities as well as society’s reactions. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.

People Inc. Hosting Southtowns Career Fair on September 27

Seeking Group Home Staff, Behavior Technicians, Registered Nurses, Licensed Practical Nurses In order to fill a variety of human service job openings, People Inc. is hosting a Career Fair on Saturday, September 27, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., 3763 Southwestern Boulevard in Orchard Park. The recruitment event is a beneficial way for anyone interested in learning more about People Inc.’s career opportunities including full and part-time group home, behavior technician, team leader, site supervisor, LPN and RN positions. While walk-ins are welcome, those who register for the Career Fair in advance through People Inc.’s website, people-inc.org, by September 24 can also book a one-on-one meeting with a recruiter. People Inc. assists individuals with developmental disabilities and other special needs live as independently as possible. Staff assists individuals with personal care, household duties and recreational activities. Day, evening, overnight and weekend shifts are available, with an immediate need in the Southtowns. Employees receive numerous benefits, including health insurance, 401(k) pension plan, tuition reimbursement and paid time off. Additionally, People Inc. offers paid training, holiday incentives and other benefits. For those who cannot attend the Career Fair, but are interested in applying may do so online at people-inc.org/careers. 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.