Albright-Knox Art Gallery Features

Art Exhibition from People Inc.'s Arts Experience Day Habilitation The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is featuring the artwork of artists from the Arts Experience Day Habilitation of People Inc. during an education art exhibition called "No Limitations." An opening reception will be held on Friday, July 1, from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, 1285 Elmwood Ave. in Buffalo. The reception and exhibition will be held in the Education Corridor and Classrooms. The exhibit will be on display until July 20 . "No Limitations" is a collection of artwork that represents the exploration and creative expression of the artists of People Inc.'s Arts Experience Day Habilitation. The Arts Experience showcases the talents of adult artisans with developmental disabilities. The Arts Experience Day Habilitation offers classes in visual art, theatre, music, dance, jewelry design, fitness dance and creative writing. The exhibit at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery is a culmination of one and a half years of artwork created by participants of the Arts Experience that best represents the participant's exploration and creative expression. The 100 pieces of artwork include mixed media, oil painting and pottery. The artists have been exploring a wide variety of mediums and making discoveries and connections to the art world around them. They spent the last two years learning about a variety of different mediums from digital photography, textile design to oil painting. They visited local galleries and researched periods of art history. The exhibition is a reflection of their growth as artists. Visitors should enter the Albright-Knox Art Gallery through the Elmwood Avenue entrance. Admission to the opening reception is free. All other days, admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students, and $5 for children. The Albright-Knox Art Gallery is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on M&T First Friday's. For more information about People Inc.'s Arts Experience, call Michelle Silverblatt at 716.635.6526.

Three Non-Profit Organizations to Receive Donation from McDonald's in Depew

People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House Awarded Donation What: McDonald's Ribbon Cutting for new Depew restaurant - Donations made to three area organizations When: Friday, July 1, 2011 at 11 a.m. Where: McDonald's 6360 Transit Road, Depew, NY Who: McDonalds's Depew Restaurant Owner Sandra Haefner and McDonald's staff members; New York State Assemblymenber Dennis H. Gabryszak; Cheektowaga Town Supervisor Mary F. Holtz; and representatives from People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House. In an effort to give back to their community, the newest McDonald's location in Depew chose three organizations to make a $250 donation each to: People Inc., Southeast Works and Lancaster Opera House. The store is also celebrating its new location with a ribbon cutting and encouraging new patrons. McDonald's is the leading global foodservice retailer with more than 32,000 local restaurants serving more than 64 million people in 117 countries each day. More than 80 percent of McDonald's restaurants worldwide are owned and operated by independent local men and women. 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. Southeast Works is a non-profit human service agency that energizes people with disabilities individually and within communities to lead independent and fulfilling lives through innovative services. The Lancaster Opera House is a reminder of an early American tradition combining a music hall with a town's main governmental building. As a performing arts and community center, the Lancaster Opera House features plays, musicals, concerts, films and special events.

People Inc. Staff Help to Restore Gowanda Cemetery

WHAT: People Inc. leads team to restore Gowanda Cemetery/Wheater Road Cemetery WHEN: Wednesday, June 29, 2011; 10 a.m.-2p.m. WHERE: Gowanda Cemetery/Wheater Road Cemetery. Near Route 62 in Collins, NY. In its third year of work at the Wheater Road Cemetery, People Inc. is working with the Collins Correctional Facility and the Cattaraugus County Department of Mental Health. To date, teams of People Inc. staff and volunteers have unearthed and cleaned about 485 gravestones which have sunken over time. The team will work diligently today to clean the remaining stones and straighten the cast iron grave markers in front of the cemetery. A memorial garden is being planned for a future date. In an isolated field near Route 62 in Collins, NY, the graves of 550 former patients of the Gowanda Psychiatric Center are typically marked by number, not by name. Unidentified and un-mourned, the individuals there were patients from the 1950s to 1991, and a project led by People Inc. is helping to restore some dignity and honor to their lives. The Wheater Road Cemetery is the final resting place of approximately 1,200 people who resided in what was known as Gowanda State Hospital and later the J. N. Adam Developmental Center, which opened in 1898 to provide residential care for the "insane and idiotic." The restoration endeavor is also an active example of the strides that have been made in the treatment of people with disabilities and in acknowledging their history. 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.  Directions to Wheater Road Cemetery 1. Take the 90 West toward Erie, Exit at 57 A (Eden Evans Center Road) 2. Turn left on to Eden Evans Center Road 3. Proceed into the village of Eden 4. Turn right onto Route 62 5. Proceed on route 62 through North Collins and into Collins 6. Across from the Collins correctional facility, you will see a barn on the corner at the left - turn left, this is Wheater Road 7. Just past the farm land on left, there will be a tire track drive - park in grassy area there 8. Walk down the hill and look for folks working toward the front of cemetery

Disability History & Awareness Education Bill - NOW IS THE TIME TO ACT

Friends and Supporters of the NYS Disability History and Awareness Education Bill, WE NEED SUPPORT FROM OUR NYS LEGISLATURE TO ENACT A.4384/S.2352 NOW! WE NEED YOUR HELP NOW!!! Next week may be too late! This bill will help teachers prepare students to better understand, accept and respect people with disabilities by making available to all K-12 schools disability history and awareness education materials with the goal of promoting civic responsibility, awareness and understanding of people with disabilities. This bill will be a conduit for removing negative stereotypes and the development of a more inclusive and tolerant society. IF OUR NY REPRESENTATIVES DO NOT HEAR FROM ADVOCATES, THIS IMPORTANT EDUCATION BILL WILL END! Put disability history and awareness curriculum in every classroom in NYS. Assembly member Cathy Nolan and Senator John Flannigan's office especially need to hear from us TODAY. CALL THEM, WRITE THEM - PLEASE CONTACT THEM TODAY. Urge them to support A.4384 (Schroeder) / S.2352 (Grisanti) and urge them to put the bill on the next Education Committee Agenda. PLEASE SEND TWO communications to your elected state representative(s) in the Assembly and the Senate. Please send:      1.)  MEMO OF SUPPORT ON YOUR LETTERHEAD AND      2.)  SAMPLE LETTER TO YOUR NYS REPRESENTATIVE. Unsure of who your state representatives are? Visit:  and . Please feel free to personalize your memo and letter. Please mail/fax your memo to as many Representatives as possible. In addition, please send a copy of your agency Memo of Support to  cherrick@people-inc.org or fax to (716) 817-7234. We are meeting with NYS Representatives now and require these memos and letters. Please send copies of your letters and memos as soon as possible. Your help is appreciated! Now is the time to make sure that history is not repeated and that people with disabilities are treated respectfully! Show your support for this important education bill. Send your memos today! PLEASE HELP MAKE A.4384/S.2352 A REALITY

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The next Incredible Years Parent Training Program will begin soon!

Where: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive Annex Conference Rooms Amherst, NY Time: Mondays from 5:30pm-7:30pm Dates: May 9th through August 8th The Incredible Years program is designed for parents of children ages 3-12 years old. The Dinosaur Social Skills Group is available for the children during this time. Please  click here to see our flyer. To enroll, please call Sue Olexenko at 880.3767.

Interested in learning more about what's happening at People Inc.?

Click here to view our latest E-newsletter! Stay up-to-date on our news, programs, and special events with our free e-newsletter! Click here to sign up.

People Inc. Featured in Western New York Family Magazine

People Inc.'s Young Adult Life Transitions program is featured in the article,  "From High School to Adult Life: The College Campus Experience," in the Western New York Family Magazine April 2011 issue of its Special Needs section. Click here to learn more about YALT! Click here to read an article written by Nicole Forgione, People Inc. public affairs manager, to learn helpful tips for parents: "Personal Connection Makes a Difference for Parents of Kids with Special Needs"

Wellness Fair on April 8

As we age, sharing with friends in a senior community can help to multiply the joy and divide the sadness that may occur along the way. This is one reason to think about moving to a senior living community, however an even better reason is that research has shown that those seniors that stay connected can delay decline and live two years longer than those that do not. People Inc.'s Marigold Apartments located at 3026 Grand Island Blvd on Grand Island is hosting a Wellness Fair on April 8, 2011 from 10 AM - 2 PM. Those who attend will learn more about the benefits of living in a senior living community and will have an opportunity to tour an apartment. The Wellness Fair will feature representatives from the Catholic Charities Telephone Assurance Program, Olmstead Center for Sight, BCBS Health Now, Independent Health, Respiratory Services of WNY, Central Referral Service, NFTA, Catholic Health Systems LIFE program and UB Dental, and AXA Advisors. People Inc. has 17 Senior Living locations across Western New York for seniors 62 and older. Rent is based on income. For more information please call 716.817.9090 or visit www.people-inc.org .