Orchard Park taken to task over housing

Request for seniors' data raises issue of policy on out-of-towners By Mary B. Pasciak, Buffalo News Staff Reporter When Jean Deahn retired, she wanted to move closer to her daughter, Susan, and granddaughter, Cheyenne, who live in Blasdell. So Deahn sold her home in Akron and got a tidy little one-bedroom place in the Carnation Apartments in Orchard Park, an easy 4.5-mile drive to have dinner, make applesauce or just visit with them. "It's been a good move for me all around," she said. Deahn is a spirited woman, quick to crack jokes, eager to chat with her neighbors and happy to brag about Susan, 12-year-old Cheyenne, and Deahn's son, Tom, who coaches for Temple University. She also may be just the sort of person whom some Orchard Park officials are trying to keep out of their community - a retiree on a fixed income who is not from Orchard Park. A local nonprofit group, People Inc., asked the town's Planning Board this summer to rezone a piece of land so it could build 43 affordable apartments for senior citizens, much like the one where Deahn lives. The answer: No. The reason? Many of the senior citizens likely would not be from Orchard Park. Town officials went so far as to send People Inc. a letter, asking for the ZIP codes of all the residents of Carnation Apartments, which is one of 16 such senior citizen buildings that the nonprofit owns in the region. That was a red flag for People Inc. Click here to read the rest of the Buffalo News article, "Orchard Park taken to task over housing" Click here to read the commentary, "Donn Esmonde: In Orchard Park, elitism turns absurd"

"I Am A Person": Advocates Host a Celebration of Disability History Week

On October 23, 2009, in recognition of Disability HistoryWeek, (Oct. 18th - 24th, 2009), advocates with disabilities will be holding an event at Canisius College. The location for the celebration is the Richard E. Winter Student Center (on the 2nd floor) and the time is from 9:30am - 2:30pm. The theme for our event is entitled: "I Am a Person". Assemblyman Mark Schroeder will be speaking at the opening ceremonies at 10 a.m. The theme of the event is based around the truth that people with disabilities are people first. As many have said, "I am a person first, I have a name!" The focus is to remove labels and focus on individuality. The purpose of this event is to educate the general public about people with visible and invisible disabilities, people first language, and disability history. The event will publicize Disability History Week and bring awareness of resources for teaching disability awareness in schools. Among the activities of the day will be: a panel discussion with local disability leaders, a workshop on getting involved as a citizen, a historical film discussion with the Museum of disAbility History, and a poetry jam hosted by artists from the Starlight Art Gallery. Information tables with materials from local disability awareness providers, a disability history display, and school curriculum will be available. Participants will be invited to shred the negative labels that have been used to define them in a fun demonstration. The event is free and open to the public. Sponsored by FREEDOM, Innovative Voice, and LEADERS Self Advocacy Groups, the Self Advocacy Association of NYS, WNY Independent Living Center, Mental Health Peer Connection, and People Inc. Contact: Richard Marino, AmeriCorps Member, 517.3598 or Kevin Horrigan, People Inc., 866.5893.

5th Annual disABILITIES Film Fest & Speaker Series

The Museum of disABILITY History and People Inc. are pleased to host the 5th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series. The goal is to provide entertainment and information while exploring issues faced by individuals with disabilities. The programs are intended to educate viewers, o

FIVE OPEN HOUSES! ONE DAY!

This Saturday, October 17, five People Inc. senior living communities will have open houses from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. People Inc.'s affordable senior living apartments provide beautiful, safe apartments at a price seniors can afford. And with 16 locations throughout WNY, there is no need to leave the community you love! People Inc.'s Senior Living Apartments offer a great opportunity for low-income seniors. Our award-winning apartments are for seniors, age 62 and up, who meet federally mandated income guidelines. The rent includes gas heat, water, kitchen appliances, and is based on the applicant's income. Visit us between 9 a.m. and 12 p.m. this Saturday at the following locations!   Click here to find the closest People Inc. Senior Apartment location!   Learn more about People Inc.'s affordable Senior Apartments! Unable to attend? No problem! Call to schedule a tour at 817.9090.

Celebrate New York State's 3rd Annual Disability History Week

People Inc. and the Museum of disABILITY History, along with organizations throughout New York State, will celebrate the third annual Disability History Week on October 18th through October 24th. The 5th Annual disABILITIES Film Festival and Speaker Series on October 16 will kick off the week's events. Celebrations will occur throughout the state and include conferences, school reading programs, book stores featuring children's books that feature disability issues and more. Bring your children for a special disabilities themed reading hour at Barnes and Noble, Niagara Falls Blvd., Amherst on Oct. 19, 2009 from 7-8 p.m.  Ideas for how you can celebrate! Watch the Disability History Week Public Service Announcement by clicking here. Check out interesting disability history facts! To learn more about Disability History Week visit: www.disabilityhistoryweek.org

Get a free ID card

Erie County residents age 65 and over are eligible for a free identification card issued by the Erie County Department of Senior Services. Cardholders can ride the NFTA bus system for half-price, and the cards can be used as a secondary form of identification. They feature a photograph and a place

Day of Caring at Six People Inc. Senior Living Apartments

Volunteers from Area Businesses Come Out for Beautification Efforts DATE/TIME: WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 19TH AT 9 A.M. WHO: Over 60 volunteers from local schools, businesses, and other public sectors will volunteer their time to Western New York's leading Not-for-Profit Health and Human Service provider. Six People Inc. Senior Service Living Apartment Communities throughout Western New York will benefit from the United Way's Day of Caring on Wednesday, August 19, 2009. WHAT: Volunteers from Erie Community College, 3M, Columbus McKinnon Corp., Azerty, Inc., Iroquois Central Schools, APP Pharmaceuticals, and Customs/Border Patrol will assist seniors in sprucing up their homes and community. Many will clean windows, pick-up trash, stain fences, dig flower beds, and even host a Luau. The volunteer effort on this momentous day means so much to the seniors, their loved ones, and the staff of People Inc. This collaborative effort shows a community valuing its growing senior population, and supports collaborative efforts of public and not-for-profit supports and endeavors. WHERE: Sunflower Apartments, 146 Franklin Street, Lackawanna, NY Seneca-Cazenovia Apartments, 2171 Seneca Street, Buffalo, NY Marigold Apartments, 3026 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island, NY Lilly Apartments, 36 Arthur Avenue, Blasdell, NY Elm Apartments, 4122 Sowles Road, Hamburg, NY Burchfield Commons Apartments, 2290 Union Road, West Seneca, NY

People Inc. Foundation Hosts 8th Golf Tournament

Golfers and In-kind Donations Welcome What: People Inc. Foundation's 8th Annual Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament When: Monday, August 24, 2009 Registration and lunch begin at 11:00 a.m.; tee-off starts at 12:30 p.m.; cocktails along with silent auction and live auctions at 6 p.m., foll

People Inc.'s newest Day Habilitation in South Buffalo

Ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate opening What: People Inc.'s Indian Church Day Habilitation program celebrates opening with ribbon cutting and tours When: Monday, August 17, 2009; 12:30 p.m. Where: 24 Indian Church Road near Seneca Street, (Location is set back behind storefronts on Seneca Street. Please enter from Indian Church Road.) Who: People Inc.'s President and CEO James M. Boles, Congressman Brian Higgins, Assemblymember Mark J.F. Schroeder, County Legislator Tim Kennedy for a tour of the newly renovated Indian Church Day Hab. These and other business leaders, city stakeholders, and the community will be on hand to celebrate this opening. Come and see the latest development to take place on Seneca Street, as part of the revitalization and continued great community collaboration of People Inc. with South Buffalo's community leaders. Why: People Inc. has developed its newest day program, Indian Church located in South Buffalo, based on community integration, increased independence, individualization, and productivity. Participants learn new skills and gain confidence to pursue personal goals and reach their highest level of independence in the community.