Fast Facts
Year Founded
1971
Employees and Volunteers
2,000 part-and full-time employees with 300 community volunteers
Areas Served
Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Wyoming Counties
Brief History
In August 1970, a small group of parents and professionals joined forces to form Services to the Mentally Retarded in Erie County (SMREC). SMREC initially referred consumers to other agencies for their services. Soon after, SMREC began to provide services, including social work services, job placement, and residential services. Granger Place and Linwood were the first group homes. In 1979, SMREC changed its name to People, Services to the Developmentally Disabled Adult, Inc. and started its first Day Treatment Center. In 1986, the agency changed its name to People, Services to the Developmentally Disabled, Inc. and the Admissions Department was added to the agency. In 1994, the Elmwood Health Center opened. In 1998, the agency changed its name to simply People Inc. and opened its third senior housing apartment.
Currently, People Inc. operates dozens of Day Programs, over 100 residential sites, offers a variety of services for Children and Young Adults and twelve Senior Housing affordable complexes. The agency is in process of developing its fourteenth senior housing complex with continual growth for independent seniors.
People Inc. is always growing and expanding services based on the needs of the people we serve. If you have a need for a service that is currently not provided, please let us know by contacting the Program Development Department at 716.634.8132.
Here are some unique facts about People Inc.
• Provides services to eight different counties in Western New York: Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Allegany, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Wyoming counties.
• More than 10,000 individuals are served by People Inc.
• Services provided includes: Services for Children and Young Adults, Community Outreach, Day Programs, Vocational Services, Family support and Respite services, Health Care, Information Referral, Residential Services, and Senior Services.
• According to a 2006 survey completed by a company outsourced by People Inc., 82 percent of People Inc. employees are generally satisfied with their jobs.
• The Youth Employment Services (YES) program serves 10 school districts.
• People Inc.’s Elmwood Health Center had over 37,500 visits in 2006 with 2,500 active patients.
• 2,000 to 3,000 individuals with developmental disabilities are employed and working with the help from agencies like People Inc. according to an article in The Buffalo News on September 17, 2006.
• 69 young adults are part of the Young Adult Life Transition program.
• There are 448 people who attend a Day Habilitation program within People Inc.
• 22 individuals participate in People Inc.’s Family Support Programs.
• 1,736 people are part of People Inc.’s Respite Programs.
• 155 people use Individual Support Services.
• Over 125 people are in a People Inc. Intermediate Care Facility Residence; there are seven Intermediate Care Facilities.
• 1,169 people live in one of People Inc.’s Individualized Residential Alternatives Residence.
• There are 20 different Day Habilitation locations.