Mt. Olive, People Inc. Mark Groundbreaking for Affordable Housing in East Buffalo

Mt. Olive Development Corporation, People Inc., and several government and community leaders celebrated the start of construction of a $27 million affordable apartments initiative on property adjacent to the Mt. Olive Baptist Church, located at 701. E. Delavan Avenue on Monday, September 18. Mt. Olive Senior Manor will provide 65 apartments for people aged 55 and older who meet income requirements. Mt. Olive and People Inc. are development partners and co-owners of the project, which addresses a substantial need for affordable housing in the City of Buffalo. The building will include 1- and 2-bedroom apartments for households earning at or below 60% of the Area Median Income. Approximately 20 units will be designated for frail older adults with housing instability, as well as some set aside for people who need support due to mobility, vision, or hearing challenges. People Inc. will offer support services to those who qualify. Funding for the project comes from several sources, including federal and state Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, New York State Homes and Community Renewal, New York State Homeless Housing and Assistance Program, and the City of Buffalo Urban Renewal Agency. Rents will range from $540 - $640/month for a 1-bedroom apartment and from $630 - $755/month for a 2-bedroom. The project was first envisioned by the late Rev. Dr. William Gillison Jr., the beloved pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church, who recognized a need for safe, affordable senior housing in the area and then worked tirelessly to make his dream become a reality.   People Inc. was selected by Mt. Olive Development Corporation following an extensive RFP process to serve as its development partner. “It has been 28 years since the vision of Mt. Olive Manor was given to Pastor William Gillison. It is truly a blessing to see it come to pass with the construction of Mt. Olive Senior Manor,” said Pastor Dwayne R. Gillison Sr., the son of Pastor William Gillison and current pastor of Mt. Olive Baptist Church. "Mount Olive Senior Manor development continues my administration’s dedication to equitable development and affordable housing in our city. The city is proud to contribute more than $2 million to this project,” said Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown. “I thank New York State Governor Kathy Hochul for her support and partnership in my mission to achieve 40 percent affordable housing in our city. I also thank Mt. Olive Development Corporation and People Inc. This is the second time the city has partnered with Mt. Olive on affordable housing and the fifth time we’ve partnered with People Inc. I’m proud of the work both organizations do, and I’m proud to continue our successful partnership.” For nearly 30 years, People Inc. has been recognized for its leadership in the development of affordable housing and the delivery of services to residents, including those with intellectual and developmental disabilities, the frail and elderly, and those at risk of homelessness. Today, People Inc. has more than 30 affordable housing properties, which includes 1,300 units across Western New York. “People Inc. is proud to join Mt. Olive Development Corp., federal, state and local government in launching this project,” said People Inc. President and CEO, Anne McCaffrey. “We will provide new, affordable housing opportunities and offer critical services to vulnerable populations, which is central to our mission of helping people live fulfilling and productive lives while maintaining their independence.” The building will include an on-site management office, off-street parking, a large community room, laundry facilities, indoor storage space and a courtyard with covered patio.  

Celebrating Our Direct Support Staff

Direct Support Professional Recognition Week held this year from September 11–15, is a time to celebrate the efforts and dedication of our frontline staff, who make a lasting impact on the lives of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. Whether they are teaching life skills, assisting with transportation, responding to medical needs, or supporting people in a myriad of other ways, People Inc.’s DSPs play a vital role in encouraging people to explore their talents, overcome obstacles, connect with their communities, and achieve goals. This year, we recognized the incredible DSPs across our agency with gift cards and other activities. If you would like to express appreciation for our frontline direct support staff, you are welcome to submit a  note . Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards. More than 100 submissions told amazing stories of devotion and compassion! Congratulations to our 2023 Direct Support Professionals of the Year: Robert Barlow Oona Belton Ashley Brown Lee Byrd Ciera Calhoun Janelle Cannon Cameron Fitch Bailey Fleischauer Andrea Harden James Jowsey Amanda Kiripolsky Ismaila Mane Melie Mell Gamalah Mohamed Deborah Moreland Warda Mosed Natalie Mullen Dan Noonan Terrence Owens Kate Powell Chris Spychaj Jessica Stein Steven Struble Robin Tate Jaida Tolbert Linda Tran Ashley Wilson   Curious about the role of a direct support professional, how to get started in this career and the impact these vital staff members make? Take a few minutes to view this  video  produced by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership’s Career Pathways initiative. We are very appreciative of their efforts to assist the agency in attracting new talent.

Family & Friends Tours Return In-Person

People Inc. proudly announces the return of the in-person Family & Friends Tours for people who want to learn more about our services. These tours may be of interest to: a person seeking supports, family seeking services for a loved one, teacher/school transition coordinator, or a care coordinator.

People Inc. Respite…Where Friends and Fun Meet!

People enrolled in our Hamburg-based Southtowns Afternoon Respite had a blast this summer, visiting local attractions and taking part in fun activities! Staff took special care to plan each trip, catering the group’s schedule to attendees’ wants and needs. From sporting events to skill-building, there were tons of things to do and see. Some examples include: Joining a boating excursion on Lake Erie through Excalibur Leisure Skills Center, Inc. Blueberry-picking and a enjoying a ropes course at Blueberry Treehouse Farm Taking a gallery tour and experiencing a workshop at Burchfield Penny Art Center Cheering on the Buffalo Bisons at an exciting home game Interacting with therapy goats and exploring the space at Rowandale Goat Farm Southtowns Afternoon Respite is part of People Inc.’s Respite Services, which offer enriching activities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, while families get a break from everyday care. Our dedicated staff create a safe, nurturing environment where people can grow their skills, socialize and gain meaningful relationships. Learn more . Check out photos from Southtowns Afternoon Respite in the gallery below! (Click to expand each picture)

Annual Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament a Success

Our annual People Inc. Foundation Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament was held Monday, July 24! Many thanks to all of the businesses, sponsors, golfers and volunteers for their generous support to help make the sold-out event a success! Their participation supports our mission to provide excellent resources and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, as well as affordable housing opportunities for families and seniors. The nearly $100,000 raised will help us provide superior residences, day programs, rehabilitative health services, respite, and much, much more. And, of course, all our programs and services focus on opportunities for people to live their most fulfilling lives. On behalf of the more than 12,000 people who take part in our programs or live in People Inc. residences and the 4,100 dedicated People Inc. employees, we would like to express our gratitude to our 2023 supporters: Hole-in-One Sponsors: Allied Mechanical, Inc.; ePlus Technology, Inc/Cisco; Long Associates Architects, PLLC; Parkview Health Services; Savarino Companies, LLC and Upstate Pharmacy. Eagle Sponsors: Aries Transportation; Barclay Damon, LLP; Besroi Roofing & Siding; Calamar Construction; Cedar Bus Company; Cortese Construction Services; CSI Contract Specialists; CSS Construction; Davis-Ulmer; Dobmeier, Inc.; DV Brown & Associates, Inc.; Flaherty Salmin CPAs; Independent Health; KeyBank; Property Services of WNY; TOPS Friendly Markets; Ulrich Signs; United Business Systems; USI Insurance Services and Walsh Duffield Companies, Inc.

People Inc. Celebrates Opening of Folwell Senior Apartments

New York State Governor Kathy Hochul and several other elected officials and community partners joined People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey today in celebrating the opening of People Inc. Folwell Senior Apartments, a $15.3 million conversion of the former Women and Children’s Hospital building into affordable house for seniors.  The People Inc. development, at 140 Hodge Ave., Buffalo, includes 44 affordable and supportive apartments for qualifying residents aged 62 and over and is part of the Elmwood Crossing project in the historic Elmwood Village neighborhood. The complex includes seven units for seniors in need of supportive services to live independently. “Folwell Apartments will provide safe, stable homes for seniors while breathing new life into Buffalo’s Elmwood Village neighborhood," Governor Hochul said. Hochul's comprehensive Housing Plan for New York includes creating approximately 100,000 new or repurposed affordable homes across the state. “Today we celebrate another step in the right direction in expanding access to affordable housing for seniors in the City of Buffalo,” McCaffrey said. “It has been well-documented that our region is in need of additional affordable housing options, especially for some of our most vulnerable citizens.”  Folwell is People Inc.’s seventh affordable housing initiative using Low Income Housing Tax Credits, including 413 new housing units in Western New York. “The housing we have created is life-changing for many of our residents who have been moving in over recent weeks,” said McCaffrey.   New Folwell resident Michael Cureton agreed his life has changed, telling the audience, “I love my apartment,” he said. “From Day 1, people here have been just fantastic. Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown thanked Governor Hochul and other partners in the project and mentioned the city’s longstanding relationship with People Inc. “I’m honored to continue our collaboration and to see yet another affordable housing initiative flourish,” Mayor Brown said.  Approximately 30 of the 44 apartments are currently occupied.  For more information about Folwell Senior Apartments, click here . 

Author with Autism Hopes Newest Book Will Help Others Connect to People Inc.

When Robert Kneitinger was a child, he was teased and bullied. Classmates made fun of his social awkwardness and communications challenges.  Eventually, Kneitinger was diagnosed with a developmental disorder, Autism Spectrum Disorder. Now, at age 58, Kneitinger has turned the pain of his childhood into lessons for children with disabilities, in the hopes that their lives will be easier. With some help from staff at People Inc., Kneitinger is now an author and illustrator of 15 children’s books – all with positive messages and an underlying theme of overcoming obstacles and the value of all people, no matter their abilities.  Kneitinger said his hope is to inspire families like his. “My mission is to help children get their independence, like I did,” he said. “What I want is that someday, parents of children who read my books say to me, ‘Thank you for helping my child!’” The books are fictional, but many of them come from stories about Robert’s own experiences and include ways he navigated the world despite his disability. This includes his latest book soon to go on sale on Amazon, “My Journey with People Inc.,” about ways that connecting with the People Inc. staff who offer services such as a broker, a life coach and a self-directed assistant have changed his life forever, including helping him to find and nurture his writing and artistic talents. Kneitinger started as an artist after attending classes at Starlight Studios in Buffalo. Working with People Inc. Self-Directed Assistant Don Jackson, he found that he had the ability to create artwork that people admired, and to come up with stories that he hopes will make a difference in people’s lives. After just finishing his 17th book, Don said the benefits he has seen for Robert in this work go well beyond the creative. Running the business of trying to sell books and do readings and presentations at schools, community organizations and more have pushed Robert far beyond where he and others thought he could go, said Jackson, who has a background in art education and has worked side-by-side with Kneitinger through all of his book writing and illustrating. “He has come so far,” Jackson said. “All of this stretches his cognitive abilities. We have seen so much improvement socially, emotionally and in his self-confidence. He is now constantly interacting with people – it’s been an incredibly well-rounded experience.”  Kneitinger will be selling his books at the upcoming Developmental Disabilities Awareness Day on August 1 at the Niagara Falls Convention Center.

Support People Inc. through Give 716

Give 716 is a collaborative giving event organized by the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundations to unite fans and the community in support of local nonprofits. This epic giving event is a one-of-a-kind chance to donate to People Inc. while taking advantage of corporate challenges where gifts are matched, or special incentives are offered!  From 7:16 p.m. on July 16 through 7:16 a.m. on July 18, you can join the fun and make a difference with your donation. Want to help even more? Share the Give 716 information with your networks through social media. Donations made to People Inc. will support our many life-changing services benefiting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and seniors. Worlds open up through your generous philanthropy! Without your help, people like Brandon Mazur may not have found the hands-on work experience he receives through People Inc.’s own “People Shoppe” in Buffalo. Brandon says he is “proud to be the first person customers see – it makes me and them feel happy.” Funds also provide services for people such as Kenyata Cooper , who lives with cerebral palsy and glaucoma and says, “If I did not have my physical therapy, I would be lost!” Your generosity helps creativity blossom for people like Nick Kilpatrick , who has built skills as a craftsman and musician with the help of a self-determination assistant. “I like to make new friends, along with the people I work with,” Nick says, “I really enjoy learning new things and playing my music for everyone.” Additionally, contributions bring shelter and sense of community to people like John Hartman , who has found a safe place to live in one of People Inc.’s Affordable Apartments. John says, “I walked into my apartment overwhelmed and so very thankful.” Support a great cause, while enjoying special perks!

New Hiring Salaries

Effective Monday, July 10, as a result of the most recently approved New York State Budget, People Inc. was able to make a significant wage enhancement for direct support professionals and frontline supervisors. The new salaries are: Interested in a career with People Inc.? Learn more!