Twenty People Inc. Employees Earn WNY AmeriCorps ABLE Scholarship

Twenty employees of People Inc., Western New York's leading human services agency, were recently honored with the Western New York AmeriCorps 2011 ABLE Scholarship Award. The scholarship is a partnership between People Inc. and WNY AmeriCorps through AmeriCorps's America Builds Lives through Education (ABLE) Program. This is the second year that People Inc. was chosen to participate and offer employees financial assistance toward their education. Employees must be employed in a program providing direct service to individuals with disabilities and meet specific income requirements. The award can be used to pay educational expenses such as tuition, related fees and student loans. "This is such a great program for employees, who, by their work everyday, further the mission of People Inc.," said People Inc. Retention Director Kimberly Kadziolka. "This scholarship program assists with the employees' educational advancement, which may further their careers with People Inc." The following employees earned the scholarship: Deborah Brown, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo Tia Carter, IRA Specialist, resides in Amherst Ariel Collins, ICF Specialist, resides in Buffalo Laura Conti, IRA Specialist, resides in Lockport  Ronald Cummings, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo  Mary Kate Duff, Primary Instructor, resides in Grand Island Victoire Dushime, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo Christopher Etterle, IRA Specialist, resides in Lackawanna  Megan Gorski, Behavior Technician, resides in Akron Beth Huffnagle, IRA Specialist, resided in Grand Island  Tashana Johnson, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo  Kristin Kemnitzer, ICF Specialist, resides in Hamburg Valeria Keys, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo Gwendoline Lander, IRA Specialist, resides in Buffalo  Kelly Matthews, Community Based Instructor, resides in West Seneca Nicholas Mekus, IRA Specialist, resides in Dunkirk Katherine Needham, PCA, resides in Depew Sierrha O' Neal, IRA specialist, resides in North Tonawanda Jessica Sparks, PCA, resides in Lancaster Veronica Ubiles-Ginty, IRA Specialist, resides in Alden

Hair X Salonce presents "Cut-A-Thon"

All proceeds benefit Headway of WNY , a support and advocacy group for survivors with brain injury. Headway of WNY, an affiliate of People Inc., is devoted to ensuring that all appropriate services and needs of the brain injured and their families are met and available in Western New York. On Thursday, March 31, from 9 a.m.-8 p.m., Hair X Salonce will host a Cut-A-Thon. This event helps raise funds to support Headway of WNY. Hair X Salonce will be cutting hair for a minimum donation of $10 for men and $20 for women. There will be a basket raffle and refreshments. Appointments are not necessary but if you are in a rush, please call ahead to get the time slot you desire. Contact Information: Hair X Salonce (Carol or Angela) 5484 Main St., Williamsville, NY 14221 716-632-3705 www.hairxsalonce.com

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New Art Specialist at People Inc.'s Seniors Unlimited Program

BUFFALO, N.Y., March 10, 2011: Amazing results can be attained with art therapy. Just ask Dr. Arnold Bresky, author, co-founder of Brain Longevity Center in Thousand Oaks, CA and who calls himself a "preventive gerontologist." Dr. Bresky has been utilizing art therapy for patients that have Alzheimer's and dementia for years and claims he has achieved a 70 percent success rate with improving his patient's memories. People Inc.'s Seniors Unlimited  located at 310 Delaware Avenue in Buffalo understands the importance of art activities in the lives of those with Alzheimer's and dementia. Kaitlin Frisicaro was recently hired as an art specialist at People Inc.'s adult day program for individuals with dementia and other memory loss illnesses. Frisicaro brings with her a passion to improve the quality of life of the individuals she works with. She said, "The beautiful thing about imagination is that it is so uninhibited and is always accessible, no matter what your ability." Frisicaro has experienced breakthrough moments with individuals that were previously resistant to participating in art activities. One gratifying moment occurred when she witnessed firsthand how the use of art activities brought a distinct clarity and relaxation to one of the individuals that she was working with. Frisicaro, a resident of Cheektowaga, graduated from SUNY Fredonia with a degree in Visual Arts and New Media. During that time, she worked as a volunteer curator at Adams Art Gallery in Dunkirk while at the University and has a wide array of experience in planning special exhibits. Her goal at Seniors Unlimited is to improve the art experience by initiating value outcome focused projects. She helps individuals that attend the day care program with print making and painting. Frisicaro is excited about the ability to use a recycling focus in her activities as she explores innovative materials that can be reused for the art experience. She is utilizing color theory, a beneficial approach for those with memory impairment. People Inc.'s Seniors Unlimited is a unique social day program for individuals who have dementia or Alzheimer's which may have been caused by Alzheimer's or Parkinson's disease, strokes, heart disease or any other illness. For more information for a loved one, call People Inc.'s Seniors Unlimited at 716.853.4500. People Inc.'s Seniors Unlimited is partially funded by the Erie County Department of Senior Services and the New York State Office for the Aging.

March is Brain Injury Awareness Month

Speakers Bureau Available to Share Personal Stories and Education Buffalo, NY, March 10, 2011: Brain injury is a prominent topic in the news these days with the injuries to our soldiers from bomb blasts in the mid-east to the recent shooting of Congresswoman Gabrielle Gifford. As part of March being Brain Injury Awareness Month, Headway of Western New York, a support and advocacy agency for survivors of brain injury, is offering a Speakers Bureau. A number of survivors with brain injury, their families, and professionals in the field are available for interviews and speaking engagements. Requests may be made for a speaker to personalize the issue of brain injury by speaking of their own experience and health professionals can address a variety of topics, including: significant effects of a concussion, the physical effects from a brain injury (such as balance, vision and movement problems), the unseen effects of an injury (such as changes in personality, attention and memory), and much more. Brain injury is often referred to as "the unseen epidemic." Did you know? Every 21 seconds one person in the U.S. sustains a brain injury.  1.5 million people in the U.S. suffer brain injuries each year. Half of these are children. 30 years ago, most people with severe injuries would have died. Now with improved trauma care, the majority survive. The cost is over $60 billion annually and more than 7 million people in the U.S. live with a lifelong disability as a result of a brain injury. Community organizations, service groups, schools or members of the media may request the Speakers Bureau. For more information, call 408.3100. Headway of WNY, an affiliate of People Inc., is a volunteer support, advocacy and resource organization that was founded in 1985 by caring families and individuals who have survived brain injury and other disabilities. Headway of Western New York is a not-for-profit agency that provides support groups, educational materials, in-service seminars, recreational opportunities, resource and referral services as well as linkage for case management and more.

People Inc. Career Fair

Thursday, March 3, 2011 4 p.m.-7 p.m. Town of Tonawanda Public Library Kenmore Branch 160 Delaware Road, Kenmore, NY 14217 People Inc. is hiring for direct care group home workers, certified PCAs and registered nurses. If you or someone you know is interested in applying, please visit us. Interested candidates can also apply online at www.people-inc.org/careers Earn outstanding benefits: health insurance, 401K, paid time off, an educational advancement program, and paid training.

Carol Kranowitz Presents The Out of Sync Child: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder

Save the Date! People Inc., Parent Network of WNY and Early Childhood Direction Center will host distinguished national speaker Carol Stock Kranowitz, M.A. at the annual "Parents and Professionals Learning Together" Conference on April 7, from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., at Lucarelli's Banquet Center, 1830 Abbott Road, Lackawanna, NY. Carol Kranowitz will present The Out of Sync Child: Understanding Sensory Processing Disorder . The cost is $85.00 per person (includes lunch). For more information or reservations, call 716.817.7484. Find out more about the conference... The Out of Sync Child: A Night for Parents Wednesday, April 6, 2011 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m. Lucarelli's Banquet Center 1830 Abbott Road Lackawanna, NY 14218 Click here to learn more about A Night for Parents!

Going Green at People Inc.'s Senior Living Apartments

Federal Government Awards $1.2 Million Retrofit Funding BUFFALO, N.Y., January 25, 2011: The federal government has encouraged energy retrofits to reduce carbon emissions under the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA). HUD's new Strategic Plan has made energy efficiency and green building one of its top priorities with an ambitious goal of creating 159,000 energy-efficient and green public and assisted housing units over the next two years. One Western New York recipient of over $1.2 million for energy retrofits was People Inc.'s Senior Living Apartments which recently completed its first green retrofit at its Iris Senior Living Apartment location. People Inc. will celebrate the completion of over $400,000 of energy efficient additions at this location on January 27, 2011, at 2 p.m. at 4150 Sowles Road in Hamburg. The event will thank the tenants and contractors for their collaboration during this important energy saving project. To show support of the project, Assemblymember Kevin Smardz and Hamburg Town Supervisor Steven Walters are scheduled to attend the recognition event. As part of this overall green initiative, refrigerators have been replaced and new water savers have been installed in kitchens and bathrooms at People Inc.'s Iris Senior Living Apartments. Energy saving shower heads and exhaust fans, as well as combination boiler and hot water exchanges update this apartment building in a very green way. These retrofits are expected to save the tenants nearly 10% annually on their utility costs, however even more important are the resulting greenhouse gas reductions. In addition to the energy saving utilities, the site has implemented the use of green paints and carpets to improve the air quality for all of the residents. Recycling will become a way of life at the Senior Living locations managed by People Inc. Additionally, People Inc.'s Iris Senior Living Apartments will embark on an educational campaign with the Frontier High School Environmental Club to increase awareness for both generations. "Having a smaller carbon footprint is very important to our organization," said People Inc. Chief Operating Officer Rhonda Frederick. She added, "We are very committed to being green." People Inc. manages 17 senior apartments throughout Western New York providing safe, affordable housing for low-income independent seniors age 62 and older. To learn more, visit www.people-inc.org or call 716.817.9090.

"African Americans and the Disability Experience" Exhibit

"African Americans and the Disability Experience" Exhibit Debuts at People Inc.'s Museum of disABILITY History BUFFALO, N.Y., January 26, 2011: People Inc.'s Museum of disABILITY History is pleased to unveil its newest exhibit called, "African Americans and the Disability Experience." An opening reception, to coincide with Black History Month, will be held on Thursday, February 3, 2011, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street in Amherst. The keynote speaker will be Ellen Grant, Ph.D., LCSW-R. The one-of-a-kind exhibit chronicles the perspective of African-Americans in relation to their experiences with disability from colonial times, desegregation, advocacy and achievement. The goal is to bring awareness and attention to uncover the history of African Americans experiences with disabilities covering the first African slaves brought to colonial America, Brown vs. Board, civil rights, and medical accomplishments. It took three years for the Museum's researcher to uncover buried history to make a valuable and respectful exhibit. "This is a part of American history that has been mostly ignored. It is just now starting to receive attention from scholars," said Researcher Reid Dunlavey. From her health and educational background, Dr. Grant was instrumental with guiding the Museum's staff to help complete the exhibit. "The information is heart wrenching in many respects, but it is important that we force our eyes to look at it and be reminded of one's treatment of man to man," Dr. Grant shared. "The good news is that we continue to overcome and build bridges where once there were fences and walls." Dr. Grant provides management of the Buffalo City Mission's Women and Children's Shelter. She is managing partner of her consulting firm First Advantage Consulting. Dr. Grant began her career as a nurse at Erie County Medical Center. She was vice president and administrator of Buffalo General Hospital's Community Health Center. She was the first African American to be appointed Erie County Mental Health Commissioner and was the former chief executive officer of Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center. Dr. Grant serves on numerous boards and has earned many awards for her accomplishments. The exhibit will be open to the public to view from February 4 to April 22. Educators, students, community groups, religious leaders, and medical and human service professionals are encouraged to visit. For more information or to schedule a tour, call 716.629.3626. Walk-ins welcome. The Museum of disABILITY History 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. Located in the Amherst/Buffalo border and at www.museumofdisability.org , the Museum offers educational exhibits and activities that expand community awareness.