Foundation and Federal Grant Will Allow City Health Center to Better Triage

Buffalo, NY, October 27--- The Elmwood Health Center at 2128 Elmwood Avenue (between Hertel and Kenmore Avenues in Buffalo), the North Buffalo health facility which offers a comprehensive range of quality primary and specialized health care and can be seen as a model for the community health initiatives currently being debated in Congress, will celebrate its 15th anniversary of service on Wednesday, October 28 from 12 - 1:30 P.M. with a significant grant announcement. The Patrick P. Lee Foundation of Amherst, NY, will provide $130,000 in funding to the Center for upgrades to its physical plant, specifically a redesign of its registration area and improvements in the efficiency of its communications equipment. The grant announcement is in addition to a recent award from the federal government of almost $400,000 for an electronic medical records (EMR) system. "Inefficient, unwelcoming and inaccessible facilities are a significant barrier to services for people with special needs. Upgrading both our phone and computer system along with modernizing our physical plant will enable us to better triage calls and visits resulting in better outcomes for our patients," said Dr. James Boles. President and CEO. Added Boles, "This grant from the Patrick P. Lee Foundation is going to put us ahead in the area of healthcare delivery in our community. It speaks volumes to the Lee family's commitment to the City of Buffalo and WNY." Founded in 1994 by People Inc., Western New York's leading not-for-profit human services agency, the Elmwood Health Center is what Anna Korus, People Inc. vice-president for health and senior services, describes as "a very inclusive and comprehensive neighborhood health center." The Center sees 3,600 patients per month, or 43,000 visits per year. Elmwood Health Center Director Frank Azzarelli referred to the health center as "a place where people can come and we can take care of all of their medical needs." It is a successful and thriving model of a neighborhood health center, the type offered as an example of a low-cost and high-result facility often mentioned in the current national conversation on health care reform. The Elmwood Health Center provides a wide range of medical, rehabilitative therapies and counseling services for the general public - adults, seniors, teens, and children - as well as specially designed services for individuals with developmental disabilities. Services include adult and pediatric primary health care, audiology, podiatry, mental health counseling services gynecology, neurology, occupational, physical and speech therapies, and support groups.

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, offer different perspectives, challenge stereotypes, and celebrate the contributions of people with disabilities to popular culture. This year, join us in watching Autism: The Musical, with speakers Elaine Hall, Founder of The Miracle Project, and Tricia Regan, an award-winning director, producer and cinematographer of documentary film and television. October 16 University at Buffalo Center for the Arts Screening Room 103 Center for the Arts, Amherst, NY 14260 Reception 6 - 7 p.m. Film screening begins at 7 p.m. Tickets $2 donation, Students with ID: FREE Click here for the flyer! The Film Autism: The Musical - Winner of 2 Primetime Emmys! Autism: The Musical counters today's bleak statistics with one woman's optimistic pledge to lead of group of children with autism in defying diagnosed expectations by writing, rehearsing, and performing their own full-length musical. Following five Los Angeles children over the course of six months, director Tricia Regan captures the triumphs and struggles of their family lives and observes how this musical production gives these performers a comfort zone in which they can explore their creative side. Running time: 93 minutes      Rating: Unrated Speakers Tricia Regan - Director, Cinematographer & Producer Tricia Regan is an award winning director, producer, and cinematographer of documentary film and television. For television, Ms. Regan directs, produces and shoots for ABC, Fox, NBC, MTV, VH1, Lifetime and TLC. Elaine Hall - Founder, The Miracle Project Elaine is an Educator, Writer, Consultant, Performer, and Professional Acting Coach for television and film. Her unique, positive relationship-building approach to children's arts education has been featured in many documentaries and publications. www.disabilityfilmfest.org www.disabilityhistoryweek.org

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 for an emergency contact, as well. Cards will be issued, through the collaboration of People Inc. Senior Living Apartments, at the following locations: Monday, September 21, 9 to 11 A.M. at Marigold Apartments, 3026 Grand Island Boulevard, Grand Island Monday, September 21, 1 to 3 P.M., Daffodil Apartments, 160 Robin Road, Amherst Monday, September 28, 1 to 3 P.M., Maple Apartments, 3511 Union Road, Cheektowaga Saturday, October 17, 9 A.M. to 12 P.M., Lilly Apartments, 36 Arthur Avenue, Blasdell Niagara County residents age 65 and over are eligible for an identification card issued by the Council for Older Adults in Niagara County. This I.D. card may be used to receive discounts from various merchants throughout Niagara County and is also a second form of I.D. The cost is $5.00. You will need to have the following information with you: Birth Certificate OR Social Security Card, Drivers License OR Utility/Medical Bill showing current address. Cards will be issued, through the collaboration of People Inc. Senior Living Apartments, at the following locations: Tuesday, September 29, 1:30 P.M., Pine Apartments, 6231 Tonawanda Creek North, Lockport Wednesday, October 28, 9 to 11 A.M., Willow Apartments, 3990 Forest Parkway, Wheatfield For more information, please call 716.817.9090.

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., followed by dinner, and an awards presentation at 7 p.m. Where: East Aurora Country Club, 300 Girdle Rd., East Aurora Who: Local business and community leaders, along with People Inc. representatives. Tournament co-chairs are Robert O'Leary of Parkview Health Services, Mark Byrne of Vanner Associates, along with committee members Alexandra Marzucco Wehr of KeyBank and Nancy Dobson of Uniland Development. Opportunity: Several sponsorship opportunities are available and in-kind donations are welcome. Sponsorship opportunities can be customized to meet company needs. For more information, call Denise Paszkiewicz at 817-7470 or email denisep@people-inc.org . Why: The proceeds of this event will go toward People Inc.'s mission of assisting individuals with disabilities and seniors to enjoy independent and productive lives.