Self-Directed Services Opens Up a Whole New World

Colen Hale, who takes part in People Inc. Self-Directed Services in Allegany County, recently experienced the magic of Disney World for the first time. He saved his money, packed his bags and headed with his staff, Kristina Fries, to Walt Disney World in Florida! Colen experienced many firsts on this trip, including flying and going to a theme park. He loved it so much that he wanted to move to Disney World and have his grandma visit.  “My favorite part of the trip was the rides,” Colen expressed. The trip opened up a whole new world for Colen and he looks forward to more exciting experiences!   People Inc. Self-Directed Services is a person-centered program that encourages people with disabilities to manage a plan based around their own needs and preferences, enabling them to enjoy meaningful experiences, personal growth and to live and work in the community of their choice. Through Self-Directed Services, the recipient acts as the manager of their services. A supportive team supports the person to make decisions about the budget for their services, what goals they would like to work on and even who they want to hire. To learn more, contact Admissions at admissions@people-inc.org .  

Senator Jacobs to Announce Major Investment to Expand People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center

What: Announcement by New York Senator Chris Jacobs for a significant investment of secured state funds to  expand services provided by the Elmwood Health Center, an affiliate of People Inc.  When: Friday, April 20, 2018, Noon-12:40 p.m.; presenters to start at 12:10 p.m.   Where: Elmwood Health Center, 2128 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo (between Hertel and Kenmore Avenues) Who: New York Senator State Senator Chris Jacobs; Rhonda Frederick, president and CEO, People Inc.; Robert Mayer, People Inc. Board Member and immediate past chairperson; Barbara DeLong, parent and co-chairperson of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York’s Family Committee. Why: The funds will allow People Inc. to build a new Elmwood Health Center in the same surrounding area, while enhancing its healthcare services. In response to a need to provide medical services to people with developmental disabilities, People Inc. opened the Elmwood Health Center in 1994. In addition to providing specialized services for people with developmental disabilities, the Elmwood Health Center became a place for the general public and families in the surrounding community to seek quality healthcare. Almost 25 years later since its founding, the Elmwood Health Center now provides services to people from Niagara Falls to East Aurora.  Founded in 1994, the Elmwood Health Center, an affiliate of People Inc., is a health care facility that provides a wide range of medical, rehabilitative therapies and counseling services for children, teens, adults and seniors. Specially designed services for individuals with developmental disabilities are provided. People Inc., a not-for-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,500 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York and Rochester. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. To learn more, visit people-inc.org . Like us on Facebook at People Inc . and follow us on Twitter @PeopleIncNews .

Senior Wishes Grants 100th Wish with Visit from Anderson’s Ice Cream Truck to Senior Housing Apartments in West Seneca

Momentous Wish Granted in Recognition of May as Older Americans Month  What: Senior Wishes Grants 100th Wish with Visit from Anderson’s Ice Cream Truck to Senior Housing Apartments in West Seneca; held in conjunction with May as Older Americans Month When: Wednesday, May 24, 2017, from 1:30 to 3 p.m. Where: People Inc. Burchfield Commons Senior Living, 2290 Union Road, West Seneca  Senior Wishes, a non-profit, is celebrating May as Older Americans Month by granting its 100th wish. Tenants of People Inc. Burchfield Commons Senior Living will be treated to ice cream served by Anderson’s. Live music will be performed by John Lorentz. Tenants of other nearby People Inc. Senior Living locations will also be in attendance to enjoy the festivities.  Senior Wishes’ first wish was granted in March 2014, and since then the organization has been recognizing Western New York’s seniors in increasing numbers with the support of community members and corporate sponsors. In the past three years, Senior Wishes has granted 99 other wishes for qualifying seniors, such as: travel to reunite with family and friends, take part in a sporting or cultural event and re-visiting a hobby or pastime. The program has arranged for a veteran to throw out the first pitch at a Bison’s baseball game, a Cheektowaga senior to meet JoAnn Falletta at a Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra performance and also for three veterans to have a special VIP day at a Sabres game.  People Inc. is pleased to partner with Senior Wishes to bring joy and special moments to the lives of seniors. With 19 senior apartment locations throughout Western New York, People Inc. Senior Living provides safe and maintenance-free housing for independent seniors age 62 and up who are income eligible. People Inc. provides programs and services to more than 12,500 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. Senior Wishes is a local non-profit with a mission to honor and recognize the lifelong contributions of Erie and Niagara County residents by granting meaningful wishes that will enhance seniors’ lives and bring them joy. The non-profit was created by the United Church Home Society with a mission to foster respect and appreciation for seniors through wish fulfillment.

Seniors in West Seneca Celebrate their New Home; Apartment Wait List Speaks Volumes

Resolved court case allows seniors to live in affordable apartments at former Houghton College campus What: Celebration for People Inc. Walnut Senior Living in West Seneca   When: Friday, May 8, 2015, at 2 p.m.   Where:  804 Union Road, West Seneca (between Seneca Street and East and West Road)   Who:  Congressman Brian Higgins, People Inc. President and CEO Rhonda Frederick and staff from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will share remarks to celebrate the collaboration. Tenants will share their personal stories and what it means to live in their hometown.   Why:  People Inc. worked through the court system and partnered with the West Seneca Town Board to resolve any initial concerns to build a 46-apartment unit building for seniors to live safely and affordably on the former Houghton College campus. This new location, People Inc. Walnut Senior Living, marks the agency’s 19th Senior Living location as it responds to the needs of a growing elderly population, while helping seniors to have a meaningful life by living affordably and safely, along with providing support services as needed. Although there were initial concerns, a need was recognized to provide this type of housing. “We proactively met with community members to avoid any misconceptions,” said Rhonda Frederick, People Inc. president and chief executive officer. “In fact, the success of this project has only shown that the need is evident as this new location has the highest wait list – actually enough to build two additional apartment buildings in the area.” People Inc. Walnut Senior Living is home to independent seniors, age 62 and up, who meet the federally mandated income guidelines. 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.

Shop for a Gift that Sparkles for a Cause

Treat someone you care about – or yourself – to a beautiful piece of jewelry this holiday season to support the People Inc. Foundation.

Sign the Pledge to Spread the Word to End the Word

Sign the Pledge to Spread the Word to End the Word will be held on Wednesday, March 6,  from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Spread the Word to End the Word is a national effort to end the use of the R-word to describe people or things which they deem strange or less than. It has been used in a derogatory way socially. During the Spread the Word to End the Word event at the Museum of disABILITY History, attendees will have an opportunity to sign a pledge to personally end the use of the R-word and to politely assist in spreading awareness of this movement.  Free admission to the Museum of disABILITY History will be granted for the day to those who sign the pledge. To confirm attendance, call 716-629-3626.  Established in 1998, the Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., is the only one of its kind in the United States and is dedicated to advancing the understanding, acceptance and independence of people with disabilities. Located in Buffalo, NY, the Museum’s exhibits, collections, publications, archives and educational programs create awareness and a platform for dialogue and discovery.

Six Appointed to Serve on the People Enterprises Board of Directors

Six area leaders have been appointed to the board of directors of People Enterprises. The new board members are: Robert O’Leary, Denise Bienko, Christopher Jacobs, David Pawlik, Laura Ryan and Timothy Vaeth. People Enterprises is a for profit corporation that was recently formed to ensure People Inc., Western New York’s leading health and human service agency, continues to be a leader and stay ahead of the curve as the system of care for individuals with developmental disabilities converts to a managed care environment. Robert O’Leary, vice president of Parkview Health Services, LLC, has been appointed board president. He has been an active People Inc. Foundation board member for the past 10 years, currently serving as its treasurer and a member of the investment committee. In 2007- 2009, he chaired the Foundation’s Jeremy Project Campaign, a successful initiative that raised more than $100,000 in funds to build a People Inc. specialty home in North Tonawanda for individuals with intensive medical concerns. He has also chaired the People Inc. Foundation’s Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament for the past 14 years, raising a record-breaking $103,000 in 2015. O’Leary is chairman of the boards of Spectrum Human Services and its Foundation. A resident of Buffalo, he also serves on the board of the Community Services Support Foundation. Denise Bienko, vice president at People Inc., has been appointed board secretary. With more than 28 years of experience at People Inc., she is responsible for overseeing the agency’s corporate governance affairs, grants, program development, long-range planning, marketing communications and government and community relations, as well as family advisory functions. She also serves as executive director of the People Inc. Foundation. Active in the community, she serves on the boards of Leadership Buffalo (2003 graduate), Museum of disABILITY History and is a founding board member of the International Policy Governance Association. She serves on the management board of the Western New York Coalition of Pooled Trusts and as an advocate and appointed public official for the New York State Surrogate Decision-Making Panel. She is also on the Susan G. Komen Foundation’s marketing committee, is an ambassador for the Arthritis Foundation and is part of the 2015 Buffalo Niagara Partnership Executive Exchange Program. A resident of Hamburg, she has a bachelor’s degree from Houghton College and a master’s degree from St. Bonaventure University. Chris Jacobs, Erie county clerk, is a strong advocate for expanding economic development. Prior to becoming county clerk, he was a real estate developer who focused on renovating older buildings in Buffalo’s Theater, Cobblestone and Larkin Districts. Active in the community, Jacobs serves on the boards of Buffalo Place, the Freedom Station Coalition and he is a past board member of the Catholic Academy of West Buffalo and the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. A resident of Buffalo, Jacobs has a law degree from SUNY Buffalo, a MBA from the American University in Washington, DC. and a BA from Boston College.  David Pawlik, president of Creative Structures Services, Inc., has more than 25 years of project development and government relations experience. He previously served as vice president of pre-construction/development for Savarino Construction Corporation and as vice president for Clover Management. Prior to these roles, he had a 15-year career with the City of Buffalo, serving as commissioner of housing/community development. Pawlik is acting president of the FBI Citizens Academy Alumni Association and serves on the boards of the Community Services Support Foundation, St. Luke’s Mission of Mercy and Saving Grace Ministry. A resident of Buffalo, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Niagara University. Laura Ryan is president of LAMA Innovation Inc., a facilitation and training firm specializing in creative problem solving and strategic planning. Ryan’s clients include Greatbatch, Hasek’s Heroes, UBMD Pediatrics, Jiffy-Tite, Ashton Potter, the Buffalo Niagara Medical Campus, ComEd, and PepsiCo. She is also the founder of Creativity-International, which provides creativity training for a worldwide audience including King Saud University, NIPA Korea and Tunghai University in Taiwan. She has a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Boston University and an M.S. in Creativity and Innovation from the International Center for Studies in Creativity at SUNY Buffalo State. In addition, Ryan holds certificates in Six Sigma, Lean Practices and FourSight. A resident of Buffalo, Ryan proudly serves on the Foundation Board of The Summit Center and the Family Council of WCHOB. Timothy Vaeth is owner of JTVaeth Development and has more than 23 years of real estate development experience. Prior to forming his own company, Vaeth was president at TM Montante Development where he played a lead role on the disposition and redevelopment of the former Millard Fillmore Gates Hospital. Prior to that, he served as vice president of development at Ciminelli Real Estate Corporation. Vaeth has played an integral role in numerous major development projects for high profile international companies, private institutions and government agencies. Active in the community, Vaeth serves on the boards of the Kaleida Health Foundation and Kevin Guest House. A resident of Clarence Center, he earned a bachelor’s degree from Canisius College and a master’s degree from John Hopkins University.  People Enterprises serves as a platform for identifying and implementing innovative solutions to assist People Inc. in its primary mission to ensure our community’s most vulnerable people, individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs, and senior adults, lead independent and productive lives. Board members will serve one year, renewable terms and will be responsible for reviewing plans and strategies, offering insights and acting as a sounding board for new business development. 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 1970, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

SNAPCAP elects 2013 officers

SNAPCAP (Safety Net Association of Primary Care Affiliated Providers) announced on March 25, 2013 that it has elected its 2013 slate of officers. Frank Azzarelli, associate vice president of the Elmwood Health Center, People, Inc. was elected as chair; Joanne Haefner, executive director of the Neighborhood Health Center, was elected vice chair and Raymond Ganoe, executive vice president of Evergreen Health Services, was elected as treasurer.  SNAPCAP is an organization of community-based primary care health centers in western New York that act to broaden access to health services by addressing concerns at the policy level, offering a forum for sharing information, learning and initiatives, as well as provide mutual support. SNAPCAP’s purpose is to bring stakeholders into the safety net planning process and pursue shared services approaches that reduce costs and improve access to quality health care. The Safety Net Association of Primary Care Affiliated Providers of WNY, SNAPCAP, is an organization of community-based primary care health centers in Western New York that acts to broaden access to health services, addressing concerns at the policy level, offering a forum for sharing information, learning and initiatives, and by providing mutual support. There are currently fifteen (15) member organizations of which People Inc. is a Founding Member. According to Frank Azzarelli, “As Chair, I am committed to leading a transition in the health care delivery model whereby primary care will be a driver of health policy and delivery in Western New York, with providers of primary services to the disenfranchised and underserved adding to the diversity of voices working to ensure that all people are within a well-managed and effective health delivery system.”   There are currently 16 SNAPCAP member organizations. Members include: ·         Aspire of WNY ·         Catholic Health ·         Community Health Center of Buffalo ·         Erie County Medical Center ·         Evergreen Health Services ·         Jericho Road Family Practice  ·         Kaleida Health  ·         Mount St. Mary’s Hospital ·         Neighborhood Health Center ·         Oak Orchard Health Center ·         People, Inc., Elmwood Center  ·         Planned Parenthood of WNY ·         Universal Primary Care ·         The Chautauqua Center  ·         The Resource Center ·         UBMD Family Medicine at Jefferson To learn more about SNAPCAP, email snapcapwny@gmail.com .

Southampton Street Community Cleanup

On Saturday, May 13, People Inc. was proud to take part in a Great American Cleanup alongside Home Beneath Our Feet, a local nonprofit organization founded by People Inc. team member Dwight Lowe. Nearly 30 volunteers worked together to mow lawns, pick up trash and support our community in the Jefferson-Southampton area. Check out the People Inc. Facebook album . The cleanup was the second annual event of its kind, the first being held just hours before the tragedy of May 14, 2022. Many volunteers came together that day from all walks of life to work towards one common goal: bettering the lives of those in our community. For 2023, the motivation was very much the same, with the added goal of showcasing the power of unity in the face of tragedy. The volunteers honored the people effected by the May 2022 event with a moment of silence and a renewed commitment to continuing to support all of our neighbors in meaningful ways. The names of the victims are: Celestine Chaney; Roberta A. Drury; Margus D. Morrison; Andre Mackneil; Katherine Massey; Deacon Heyward Patterson; Aaron Salter; Geraldine Talley; Ruth Whitfield and Pearl Young. Three others were also injured: Christopher Braden; Zaire Goodman and Jennifer Warrington. "We are back here, we are showing we are not going anywhere," Dwight Lowe told WKBW in a recent interview. “People [are] coming from different spaces, different races and coming together with one mission and that is to take care of our community and support in any way we can.”