2010-2011 CAMPAIGN...Creating the Strongest Link

Our fundraising campaign is officially underway, under the leadership of Diana and Ronald Papa and Foundation Board. Our goal is to raise $250,000 in one-time gifts and two year pledges toward renovation costs for the new Training Center for Human Service Excellence and Museum of disABILITY History. Thousands of direct care staff will be trained through this Center, and we all know that they are the strongest link in providing quality care. To learn more, contact Denise Paszkiewicz, Foundation Director at 817.7470 or denisep@people-inc.org . Click here to review our campaign booklet  and our pledge form .

People Inc.'s Training Center and Museum of disABILITY History have moved!

The People Inc. Training Center, previously housed on Delaware Avenue in Buffalo moved its spacious new location at 3826 Main Street in Amherst. The Training Center provides improved office space and training rooms as well as a permanent home for the Museum of disABILITY. This shared space will make the history of developmental disabilities a more central component to the agencies orientation process. It also provides additional space for museum exhibits and easier access for community groups touring the museum. This move helps People Inc. to continue to grow and enhance its out reach to the community and its employees and is one more progressive and exciting step. For more information, call the Museum of disABILITY History at 716.629.3626. www.museumofdisability.org

Ribbon-Cutting with Congressman Brian Higgins, County Executive Chris Collins and Mayor Hub Frawley to Celebrates the Opening of People Inc.'s Holly Senior Living Apartments in Angola

What: People Inc. celebrates the opening of its 17th affordable Senior Living site, Holly Apartments, in Angola with ribbon-cutting and program. When: Thursday, July 8th from 2:00-3:00 p.m. Where: Holly Apartments 174 N. Main Street Angola, NY 14006 Who: Please join People Inc. President and CEO James M. Boles, Ed.D., People Inc. Board Chairperson William M. Collins, Congressman Brian Higgins, County Executive Chris Collins, Angola Mayor Hub Frawley, HUD Field Office Director, Stephen Banko, The WNY Foundation, community leaders and Holly Apartment tenants. Why: Nearly 33% of seniors aged 65 and over are relying on their Social Security benefits as 90-100% of their total money income, according to the U.S. Census Bureau report titled 65+ in the United State: 2005. The need for affordable housing is far outpacing supply. People Inc is responding to the needs of our growing senior population with the opening of its 17th affordable senior apartment complex. These apartments are designed to allow older persons to age in place, and maintain their independence and a high quality of life at a cost they can afford. Located in Angola, this site provides a new home to seniors, age 62 and up, who meet the federally mandated income guidelines. Tours will be provided of the building and apartments. Tenants from Holly Apartments will share their stories about the importance of having affordable apartments in the Angola community and how it has impacted their lives. People Inc. is thrilled to now provide our exceptional senior living program in Angola, ensuring that the housing needs of seniors are met within this rural community. For more information, please contact Kevin Horrigan, People Inc. Public Affairs Director, at 716.817.7475 or 716.866.5893.

People Inc. Announces Rehabilitation Promotion

BUFFALO, N. Y., March 17 --- People Inc., Western New York's leading social services organization serving individuals with disabilities and their families, announced the promotion of Shelley Curl, PT, to the position of Assistant Director or Rehabilitation Services. Curl has worked with People Inc. as a physical therapist for over 10 years, and will assist with the coordination of agency rehabilitation services. A North Buffalo resident who earned a microbiology degree at the University of Maryland and a physical therapy degree at the University at Buffalo, she will be consulting with therapists, program managers and directors of various People Inc. dayhab locations. "I'm also a consultant to the IRAs (Individual Residential Alternatives), I oversee four dayhabs, there's teaching and my normal caseload at the Elmwood Health Center," she said. For more information, contact Kevin Horrigan, Public Affairs Director, at 716.817.7475 or click here !

Spread the Word to End the Word!

Self Advocate Fair About: Spread the Word to End the Word is a campaign to engage schools, organizations and communities by raising the consciousness of society about the dehumanizing and hurtful effects of the word "retard(ed)" and encouraging everyone to stop using the R-word. Date: March 3, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: 3131 Sheridan Drive Door Prizes Information Make New Friends Take the Pledge to Say No to the R-word! For more information, please contact Rick Banner at 817.3817.

People Inc.'s Children & Young Adult Services Fair is ON!

Come learn more about People Inc.'s 50 unique and innovative programs! Date: January 29, 2010 Time: 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Location: People Inc. 3131 Sheridan Drive (Northtown Business Center) Amherst, NY 14226 We are easiest to find by turning into the plaza from Bailey Avenue. People Inc. will be the first door of the plaza coming from Bailey Avenue. Please use our main front door. OPEN TO THE PUBLIC! If bad weather is occurring, you may call People Inc.'s snow closing line at 817.5700 any time after 8 a.m. on the day of the event to check on the status of the fair. For more information, call Linda Rinaldo at 817.7481 or Jim Scutt at 694.6624 ext. 263.

"African Americans and the Disability Experience" Exhibit Debuts at

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.

FREE Health Screenings

November 30 11 a.m. - 3 p.m. Where: Maple Apartments A People Inc. Senior Living Community 3511 Union Rd. Cheektowaga, NY 14225 ARE YOU AT DISK FOR DIABETES? Over 5.7 million Americans are unaware that they have diabetes. Risk factors include: - Family history of diabetes - Excess body weight - Lack of exercise - Smoking Stress Tests Include: - Blood Pressure - Blood Glucose - Hemoglobin A1c* *Hemoglobin A1c test will only be performed on those who are interested or show signs of being "at risk" for diabetes. Buffalo Hearing & Speech Center will provide free hearing screenings as well as informational handouts on hearing loss and hearing aids. Feel free to stop by and have a licensed Audiologist: - Visually inspect your ear for wax - Perform a short screening to tell you if you have a hearing impairment Brought to you by VascuScript Inc. Health Mart Pharmacy, Buffalo Hearing and Speech, and People Inc. To learn more, call 683.3027.

People Inc. to Observe Veterans Day with a Marine Corps Tradition

Patrick Welch, director of Erie County Veterans Service Agency, to attend Buffalo, N.Y., November 9 --- People Inc., Western New York's leading not-for-profit human services agency, will celebrate Veterans Day tribute along with the United States Marine Corps Anniversary including a famous Marine tradition on Tuesday, November 10. The ceremonial "cake-cutting", honoring the 243rd anniversary of the Marine Corps, will be part of a Veterans Day tribute at the People Inc. Sunflower Apartments, 146 Franklin Street in Lackawanna. It will follow remarks by keynote speaker Dr. Patrick Welch, Director of the Erie County Veterans Service Agency. The ceremony begins at 4 P.M., followed by a reception and tours of the apartment complex from 4:30 to 6 P.M., and is open to the public. The birthday cake ritual is codified in the Marine Corps Drill and Ceremonies Manual, a dramatic and longstanding tradition that involves the eldest Marine present cutting the cake with a military sword. The second cut is made by the youngest Marine, symbolism invoking military heritage and continuity. The Marines date their history to November 10, 1775. Sunflower Apartments is one of 16 locations in People Inc.'s Senior Living Apartment communities throughout Western New York. More information on People Inc. Senior Living, please contact 716.817.9090 or email SeniorLiving@people-inc.org .