Brad Watts Receives IDEA Award

For the fourth year in a row, Buffalo Business First celebrated the people and companies who make inclusivity, diversity and equity pillars of the businesses through the IDEA Award. One of the honorees was People Inc. Associate Vice President, Bradford Watts. Brad is passionate about human rights, social service and making our community a better place for all. He is a relationship builder who champions the People Inc. mission of advocating for people of all abilities to have the supports they need to succeed in an accepting society. People Inc. is proud to have Brad as part of our diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, where he has helped transform our agency culture to better reflect our community. 

Christina Jarczewski Recognized with Award from NYSID

Christina Jarczewski, who participates in our People Inc. Supported Employment Program, was recognized as an Outstanding Performer through the William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Awards Program, presented by New York State Industries for the Disabled (NYSID). Christina is a caring and dedicated employee who works as a day porter for People Inc. She was recently offered an opportunity working on the janitorial contract People Inc. and NYSID have with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA). Over the years, she has strengthened her communication and socialization skills and enjoys doing meaningful work. “I like to work hard, get things done and talk to people,” Christina shared.

Updated Mission, Vision and Values Statements

Our mission statement is at the center of everything that we do at People Inc. – it is important to continuously evaluate our mission and vision statements with the goal of focusing on expert supports and quality care for each person receiving our services. Advocates who receive services met with members of our Senior Leadership Team to explain that the use of the term “individuals” in the mission statement was not person-centric and could have negative connotations, including sounding like a clinical description. The request to change the word “individuals” to “people” in the mission, vision, and value statements was brought to the Board of Directors and approved. The updated mission statement is as follows: People Inc. exists so that people with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society. Read the People Inc. Mission, Vision and Values

Anne McCaffrey is Next CEO at People Inc.

 Hospital CEO to Lead Area’s Largest Non-Profit Human Services Agency  The Board of Directors of People Inc. today named Anne McCaffrey as its new CEO. McCaffrey, currently the President and CEO of Eastern Niagara Hospital, will replace Rhonda Frederick, who is retiring in April after a 43-year career at the agency. McCaffrey was chosen after an extensive national search that began shortly after the August 2022 announcement of Frederick’s retirement, said JoAnne Hudecki, chairperson of the People Inc. Board of Directors. “The Board is extremely confident that Anne is the right person to take this amazing organization forward into its next chapter,” said Hudecki. “She has made an impact on the community in every role she has taken on, and we know this will be no different.” McCaffrey, who will begin her tenure at People Inc. on March 20, spent 19 years in various roles at Lake Shore Behavioral Health (now BestSelf Behavioral Health) before moving to a city government role in Lockport. She was Mayor of the City of Lockport from 2014 to 2018. In August of 2018, McCaffrey was named President and Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Niagara Hospital, where she helped facilitate a successful restructuring and transaction with Catholic Health to keep hospital services in Niagara County. She is also a member of the New York State Legislative Ethics Commission. “This role combines all of my previous positions and passions, with a mission I am honored to support,” said McCaffrey. “I am thrilled to be joining the People Inc. family -- and I already know that it truly is a family.” People Inc. employs over 4,000 people and provides programs and supports to over 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and Rochester. The agency’s mission is to assure people with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society.  Frederick, who started at People Inc. in 1980 in an entry-level direct support role, was the Chief Operating Officer for many years before becoming CEO in 2014. Frederick will stay on for a number of weeks to assist with the transition, said Hudecki.  “Rhonda leaves big shoes to fill, but Anne has the right mix of experience in health care, leadership, non-profit, and relationship-building we think is necessary for this role,” said Hudecki. “Most importantly, we set out to find the absolute right person to lead the organization in supporting the thousands of people who truly need us. I am certain we have found that person.” 

Self-Directed Services Opens Up a Whole New World

Colen Hale, who takes part in People Inc. Self-Directed Services in Allegany County, recently experienced the magic of Disney World for the first time. He saved his money, packed his bags and headed with his staff, Kristina Fries, to Walt Disney World in Florida! Colen experienced many firsts on this trip, including flying and going to a theme park. He loved it so much that he wanted to move to Disney World and have his grandma visit.  “My favorite part of the trip was the rides,” Colen expressed. The trip opened up a whole new world for Colen and he looks forward to more exciting experiences!   People Inc. Self-Directed Services is a person-centered program that encourages people with disabilities to manage a plan based around their own needs and preferences, enabling them to enjoy meaningful experiences, personal growth and to live and work in the community of their choice. Through Self-Directed Services, the recipient acts as the manager of their services. A supportive team supports the person to make decisions about the budget for their services, what goals they would like to work on and even who they want to hire. To learn more, contact Admissions at admissions@people-inc.org .  

People Inc. Announces New Board of Directors Members

Non-profit agency names 3 to policy-making body People Inc., the largest health and human services non-profit agency in Western New York, has added three new members to its Board of Directors: Grant Loomis, Angelica Perez-Delgado and B.J. Stasio.   The new appointments will play a key role in advancing the mission of the organization: People Inc. exists so that people with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society.  Loomis, a resident of Clarence Center, is the vice president of Government Affairs and Economic Development for Buffalo Niagara Partnership. Grant is responsible for developing and advancing the Buffalo Niagara Partnership advocacy agenda by actively engaging external and internal stakeholders to achieve organizational goals and advance the organization’s strategic priorities. Loomis has an Executive Master of Business Administration from the University at Buffalo and a Bachelor of Arts from Syracuse University. Perez-Delgado, a resident of Rochester, is the president and CEO of Ibero-American Action League. With more than 25 years of nonprofit career experience, she was previously the chief administrative officer and chief compliance officer for Villa of Hope. Perez-Delgado has a Master of Science in Health Administration from Roberts Wesleyan College and a Bachelor of Science in Community and Human Services from Empire State College. Stasio, a resident of Buffalo, is the Self-Advocacy coordinator for Western New York Developmental Disabilities State Operations Office, focused on person-centered planning, trainings and voting issues for people with disabilities. A disability rights advocate, he is president of the Board of Directors of the Self-Advocacy Association of New York State. Stasio has an Associate’s of Science from Erie Community College.  “I’m honored to welcome Grant Loomis, Angelica Perez-Delgado and B.J. Stasio to our Board of Directors,” said JoAnne Hudecki, chairperson, People Inc. Board of Directors. “As we move forward to a new year, it is important that our board membership continues to reflect various leadership experiences and perspectives to uphold the values of People Inc. and to best support the people we serve and our community.” In order to effectively meet the legal and moral obligations of governing an organization as large and complex as People Inc., the Board of Directors operates as a policy-making body, using the Policy Governance® model. The Board’s emphasis is placed on determining agency outcomes, while directing and guiding the organization to achieve results.  People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org , follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews .  

Happy Holidays from People Inc.

People Inc. is happy to share our 2022 Holiday Electronic-card , featuring artwork by Noah Zygmunt, who participates in our Day Hab Without Walls Program through Artisan's Edge and the agency’s Personal Enrichment Program. From our People Inc. family to yours, we wish you a holiday season that’s happy, healthy and safe.

Two-Bedroom Apartment Available at Academy Place Apartments

Are you, a family member or someone you assist in need of an affordable senior apartment in the Southern Tier? Academy Place Apartments in Gowanda, NY, managed by People Inc., are accepting applications for a two-bedroom apartment. Located at 1 School Street in Gowanda, the HUD Section 202 Affordable Housing and NYS Tax Credit apartments are for independent, older adults age 62+ who meet income guidelines. Vouchers accepted for Tax Credit units.  Features include: Kitchen with appliances, 24-hour on-call emergency service provided, small pet-friendly, laundry facilities and storage available on each floor and community room. An apartment application is available online in English and Spanish to print and submit. Download a flyer to learn more. A waitlist is also available for one-bedroom apartment units. For more information, call 716.880.3890 . People Inc., a multispecialty non-profit health and human services agency, provides programs and services to more than 12,000 people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, families and older adults throughout Western New York and the Greater Rochester region. Since 1970, People Inc. has assisted people to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity. With nearly 4,000 employees, People Inc. is one of the region’s largest employers. To learn more, visit people-inc.org , follow People Inc. on Facebook or Twitter @PeopleIncNews .