Browse the latest People Inc. and affiliate news, updates and press releases.
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Dec 05, 2024
Will You Help Us Make a Transformational Impact?
A message from Anne McCaffrey, President & CEO, People Inc. Every day, I have the privilege of witnessing the profound impact of compassionate, high-quality care on the people we serve. The knowledge, creativity, and dedication that our staff exhibit, make me incredibly proud of what we do for people receiving services and their families, and the special ways in which we carry out our mission. As the challenging and rewarding work we do grows and evolves, I’m reaching out to share how you can help us continue to expand this vital work. I invite you to consider donating to the People Inc. Foundation. Our donors make a transformational impact on the programs, facilities, and care People Inc. provides. Click here to make a gift today. With rising needs in our community and increased medical complexities, People Inc. is committed to innovation and expanding our resources to help more people and families. There are so many stories of how excellence is displayed by our staff every day. One example is Shirley Fernandez, an LPN clinical coordinator at People Inc., who shared how incredibly proud she is of her and her entire team's role in serving the people at their location. “At my work site, we consider ourselves family. We celebrate birthdays and holidays with residents and their loved ones. We mentor, support, and prepare one another for the opportunities and challenges ahead.” Thank you for being a crucial part of our mission today and our future. Your support provides People Inc. with the financial strength and flexibility necessary to drive our new strategic plans forward and ensure excellence in our programs and services.
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Nov 15, 2024
Giving Back and Growing Essential Life Skills
People who participate in People Inc.’s Community Active People Program (CAPP) make a meaningful contribution to the community through their volunteer efforts. Starting their days in Buffalo, Depew, Tonawanda and West Seneca, they increase their community independence and build skills to reach personal goals by helping area organizations. These adults learn how to contribute to the well-being of others while learning about teamwork, responsibility, empathy, organization and communication. Each volunteer shift is a chance to build confidence and independence. Recently, we caught up with some of the busy volunteers supporting the efforts of FeedMore WNY and Harvest House. Helping to get ready for the upcoming holiday season, a group of volunteers helped to sort and stock food donations at FeedMore WNY, which aims to fight hunger and provide meals.
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Nov 08, 2024
People Inc. Wins Statewide Housing Honors
Award honors innovation and excellence. The New York State Association for Affordable Housing honored People Inc. as the Non-Profit of the Year at a recent event in New York City. The award recognizes partners that have excelled in project completion, served their communities and special populations by going above and beyond, and have helped advance the industry over the past year. With over 30 properties offering 1,300 affordable housing units across the region, People Inc. continues to foster independence and improve lives. The dedicated staff help to provide safe, high-quality, affordable housing to people who are income eligible, often in underserved communities. Some of the units are reserved to support frail older adults, adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities and/or people with mobility, vision or hearing challenges. Our work goes beyond providing shelter — People Inc. is a leading provider of support services that help residents achieve stability and independence. These services include case management, mental health counseling, and transportation assistance. People Inc. staff ensure that residents are not only housed but are equipped with the resources they need to thrive. Additionally, People Inc. was recognized for its strong track record of providing a variety of unique residential opportunities for children, adults, and specialized homes for people with complex medical needs. Learn more about our Affordable and Senior Living Apartments.
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Oct 16, 2024
Diverse Workforces Create Job Satisfaction
Celebrating the contributions of workers with disabilities and their employers With the unemployment rate among people with disabilities at three times the overall rate, ensuring that people with developmental disabilities and other disabilities secure and maintain meaningful, competitive employment is an important focus at People Inc. Each October, People Inc. recognizes National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM), a reminder to acknowledge the value and talent workers with disabilities add to workplaces and the economy. The national theme for NDEAM 2024, “Access to Good Jobs for All,” speaks to a commitment to expanding the number of employment opportunities for people with disabilities and the quality of those opportunities. People Inc. currently provides employment support to 500 people with developmental disabilities across 150 local businesses and organizations. People with disabilities gain so much more than just paid employment – they become part of a broader community. People Inc. recently recognized two of these partners during the WNY Employment Consortium’s annual luncheon. Walgreens and Brothers of Mercy Wellness Campus have created a welcoming work environment so that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can learn, thrive, and contribute to their communities. Walgreens Over the past 10 years, several local Walgreens stores have partnered with People Inc. to create meaningful training and employment opportunities for qualified applicants with disabilities through the company’s REDI (Recruiting Employees with Disabilities Initiative) program. The REDI program provides externship opportunities in which people can learn a variety of work and social skills in a real-world working environment. Through this program, externs learn to operate a cash register, stock and organize shelves, price and tag items, perform receiving/warehouse work, and provide exemplary customer service, and work on other skills to help the person maintain long-term employment. Successful candidates are usually offered permanent paid positions at a Walgreens location. “Our collaboration with People Inc. enables us to build a community of outstanding talent and promote innovation,” said Julie Oakley, Walgreens Area Field Disability Specialist. “People Inc.'s steadfast commitment to independence empowers REDI participants to achieve new levels of success and enriches our workplace with diverse perspectives and skills. I am genuinely thankful for the work we’ve done together and look forward to further success.”
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Oct 15, 2024
Sandie Brown-Maynard Named a Black Achiever
Sandie Brown-Maynard, People Inc. Clinical Associate Vice President, was honored as one of the 2024 Black Achievers Award winners.
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Oct 03, 2024
Bradford Watts Named to Powerful Business Leaders of Color List
Bradford Watts, People Inc. Associate Vice President - Community Relations & DEI, was named one of the top 100 Powerful Business Leaders of Color by Buffalo Business First..
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Sep 18, 2024
Tom Golisano Pledges $5 Million Gift to People Inc.
People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey and Board Treasurer Dennis K. Schaeffer were in attendance at a special news conference in Rochester, NY on September 17, when Tom Golisano announced $360 million in donations across upstate New York, including People Inc. Golisano, the founder of Paychex, chair of the Golisano Foundation, and philanthropist, announced that his gifts will benefit 82 upstate New York non-profit organizations. People Inc. was notified that it would receive $1 million per year for five years totaling $5 million. Golisano’s gift represents the largest private donation in People Inc.’s history. People Inc. is one of only a handful of agencies in the Buffalo area who serve people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to receive a donation. McCaffrey said, "We are incredibly grateful for his generosity and for recognizing the impact our people and programs have on the lives of those we support. We will be formulating a thoughtful plan to maximize this opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the thousands of people we serve." She added how incredibly moved she was by a letter from Golisano and his quote, “The only wealth you get to keep is that which you give away.” People Inc. is grateful to Mr. Golisano, and all our donors who embrace this philosophy.
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Sep 13, 2024
Direct Support Staff Celebrated
Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week held this year from September 8 - 14, is a time to celebrate the vitally important efforts and dedication of our frontline staff, who are passionate about their roles and make a lasting impact on thousands of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families. This year, we recognized the incredible DSPs across our agency with gift cards and other activities. Whether they are teaching valuable life skills, making a house feel like a home, supporting good health and safety - and much more - DSPs play a crucial role in empowering people to pursue their goals. Our direct support professionals are at the very core of People Inc.'s mission. Thank you to everyone who submitted a nomination for the Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards. The submissions told amazing stories of devotion and compassion! To excel in this role and rise to the level of being acknowledged by peers and families, it takes dedication, commitment and talent. The themes that came through in the nominations make that clear. Adjectives such as “motivating,” “passionate,” and “caring” were often repeated. Also, “Being a Team Player” and “Always compassionate.” Congratulations to our 2024 Direct Support Professionals of the Year: JESSICA LAREN CARLESHA AMBER NICHOLAS CHRISTINE CAMREN RACHEAL WILLIE DEBORAH LISA PANDORA ROSA EMALEE NAKIA TAMARA MATTHEW DEBORAH MUBARAK KATHLEEN KENNETH JASON KASHIF DANIEL JOYCE LORI NOEL TIFFANY JAMES AINSWORTH BARNES BIVENS BOONE CACCIOTTI CHAMBERS CHENEY DICKERSON FAULKNER FERELLA GARRETT GIBSON GONZALEZ HOUSEMAN JONES KEEM KNOTT MCGINLEY MOHAMED MONZ MUNROE MYERS NEWBERN NOONAN REED RICKERT SCHMITT SIMMONS WILLIAMS
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Sep 12, 2024
People Inc. Pride on Display Summer 2024 Wrap-Up
The summer of 2024 provided many opportunities for the members of the People Inc. family to show their pride in the agency through area cultural parades, flag raisings and community festivals. In addition to the events noted below, the agency also participated in the Rochester Deaf Festival, the Wellsville Rainbow Revolution Pride Festival, the Allegany County Fair, the Steuben County Fair, and the Amherst Family Health Fair. Thanks to all of the staff, friends, families and people we support for the great teamwork preparing for and participating! Disability Pride Month In Buffalo, People Inc. participated in the Disabilities Pride flag-raising ceremony and sponsored the Artists' Showcase during the Disability Pride Festival. JP Morgan Corporate Challenge People Inc. staff joined with other human service agencies for the annual JP Morgan Corporate Challenge in Buffalo. Juneteenth Celebrations People Inc. sponsored the Juneteenth Festival of Buffalo, marching and staffing an agency table. The team brought home the first-place prize for Movement for our ASL interpretation of a song. People Inc. staff also volunteered their time to provide information to the community at a table at the Rochester Juneteenth Festival. LGBTQIA+ Pride Events People Inc. marched in the Buffalo Pride Parade and staffed a safe zone area midway on the parade route. In Rochester, staff spread awareness about the agency during the Rochester Rainbow Revolution Pride Festival and the ROC Pride Picnic. Puerto Rican and Hispanic Heritage People Inc. showed our celebration of this vibrant culture beginning with the flag-raising ceremony, marching in the parade, and volunteering at an information table. Wellsville Balloon Rally Parade The Self-Direction Department represents the agency at this annual parade.