Production of “Frozen” Performed by People Inc.’s Themed Learning Club

What:    “Frozen” Production by participants of People Inc.’s Themed Learning Club   When:    Wednesday, April 1, 2015 6:30 to 8 p.m.   Where:                  Amherst Central High School 4301 Main Street, Amherst   The snow is disappearing, but it will be a winter wonderland as participants of People Inc.’s Themed Learning Club produce their own adaptation of the popular movie, “Frozen,” on Wednesday, April 1,  from 6:30 to 8 p.m., Amherst Central High School, 4301 Main Street, Amherst.    There are 18 individuals participating, ages 12 to 21, who have developmental disabilities. People Inc.’s Themed Learning Club typically does productions in December. The participants were adamant they perform “Frozen,” so additional time was made for practice. The participants have been able to have focused rehearsals since February.   There is no cost to attend the performance; donations are appreciated.     People Inc.’s Themed Learning Club, held at Amherst High School, is one of the agency’s Afternoon Respite Programs, which provides after school and after day program care for participants. The program includes arts and crafts, recreational activities, help with homework and peer socialization while providing parents and caregivers the opportunity to work and complete errands.   People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

People Inc. Names New Board Officers

March 26, 2015: People Inc., the leading nonprofit organization in Western New York helping individuals with developmental disabilities and special needs, and senior adults, to lead more healthy, independent and productive lives, recently elected new officers to its Board of Directors. The new appointments will play a key role in advancing People Inc.’s mission of ensuring that individuals with disabling conditions or other special needs have the supports they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society. Officers elected include: Robert Mayer, named to serve a two-year term as board chairperson. Mayer is chief financial officer at Weinberg Campus and a resident of Amherst, NY.   Elected to one-year renewable terms are: Randall Borst, named vice chairperson. Borst is director of accessibility at SUNY at Buffalo and a resident of Amherst, NY. Joseph Abdallah, named treasurer. Abdallah is an executive and investor and resides in East Amherst, NY. Lynne Frank, named secretary. Frank is principle at The Evans Agency and a resident of Williamsville, NY. Other board members include Mary Ann Kedron, PhD, UB Department of Neurosurgery; William Collins, Canisius College; Nancy Dobson, Uniland Development Company; David M. Downing, Towne Automotive Group; David E. Hall, Esq., Hodgson Russ (retired partner); Alfred F. Luhr III, M & T Bank; and Eugene Meeks, retired executive. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Museum of disABILITY History to Host Book Signing with Author Darby Penney

Event in Conjunction with Temporary Exhibit, The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic March 19, 2015: The Museum of disABILITY History will host a book signing with Darby Penney, advocate and author of The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic on Saturday, March 21, at 1p.m. at 3826 Main Street, Buffalo. Penney and co-author Peter Stastny spent 10 years investigating and learning about patients committed to Willard State Hospital and the lives they had before and after being committed to the institution. Their book tells the fascinating stories of these patients. Admission for the event is $6 for adults and $3.50 for seniors, students and human service employees. It is being held in conjunction with the traveling exhibit The Lives They Left Behind: Suitcases from a State Hospital Attic, which will be on display at the Museum of disABILITY History until April 11. The exhibit was created by The Community Consortium, an organization that works to promote the full citizenship and civil rights of people with psychiatric disabilities. To register for the book signing event or for more information, call 716-629-3626. The Museum of disABILITY History, a project of People Inc., 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. The Museum of disABILITY History, located at 3826 Main Street in Buffalo, NY, offers educational exhibits, programs and activities that expand community awareness.

Tips for Families who have Loved Ones with Developmental Disabilities

March is Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month In recognition of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, Kenmore resident Aimee Levesque, the mom of an individual People Inc. serves, shares why it is important for families to advocate for their loved ones. Aimee’s daughter, Jessica, is a participant of People Inc.’s Arts Experience Program, former participant of the agency’s Young Adult Life Transitions Program and currently involved with its Self-Advocacy Program. Both fans of the arts, Aimee is co-founder and managing director and Jessica is an actor of Unique Productions, a company of artists that aspires to promote community integration through the arts by providing individuals with disabilities a chance to be artists, actors and writers.   “Parents are the best advocates for their children. You are an expert on ‘all things your child,’ play an important role in their education, and get to reap the rewards of their love and affection. As a parent advocate, there are many things that you can do, including:   Learn about your child’s disability and teach them about their disability, too. How many times have you heard the saying, ‘knowledge is power?’ The more you and your child know about their disability, the better advocates you both will be. Use the Internet, books and brochures to teach your child; use anything you feel will help them understand. Be accurate, consistent and honest with them if they ask questions. Know your child’s abilities. We are often forced to focus on what our children cannot do to get the services that they need, in-and outside of school, but what about the great things they CAN do? Focus on the positives and on all of the terrific things that your child can do, has achieved and will continue to grow at. Keep records. Save copies of your child’s Individualized Education Plans, reports and samples of their school work. Take notes while on phone calls or in meetings. Put all of these items in a large binder. These materials may be helpful for showing where your child might have some difficulties or may highlight the areas where they have strengths. If you are not the best at keeping things organized or need help getting started, local parent groups and organizations may offer ‘Binder Trainings.’   Have goals for your child. Just like every other student, your child will have goals and aspirations, so encourage them to set them. Also, include your child in the goal and decision-making processes as often as you can. Self-determination is a key component in the progression toward independence. If your child is unable to articulate goals to you, then creating these goals may become your responsibility, so do your homework. Allow yourself to feel and display emotions. Repeat after me, ‘it is okay to cry, it is okay to get angry and it is okay to be happy.’ Believe it or not, it is very easy for parents of children with disabilities to repress emotions because they may feel that the emotions will get in the way of powerful advocacy. Not only is repressing emotions terrible for your health, but it can also be counterproductive to your advocacy efforts. You cannot be an effective advocate if you are stuck in a cycle of painful and destructive emotions. If you don’t think you can do it on your own, speak with a professional. Join parent groups. Parent groups – online or in person – serve many purposes. They provide the opportunity to meet families that are walking similar paths. You can share resources, discuss similar situations, laugh and cry together. In essence, parent groups are a place of help, love and support. Take care of yourself! Meetings, doctor’s appointments, therapy sessions – most days we find ourselves being pulled in what feels like a million different directions and the last thing we think about are ourselves. But what help can we be if we are sick or overstressed? It is important to make sure that our needs as parents are met, too. So keep those health-related appointments, get to the gym, act in a play or take a yoga class. The bottom line is: take care of YOU.”   Aimee Levesque is a parent advocate. She has worked in the disability field in Western New York for more than 15 years. She is co-founder and managing director of Unique Productions (UP!), a company of artists that aspires to promote community integration through the arts by providing individuals with disabilities a chance to be artists, actors and writers. A resident of Kenmore, NY, Levesque is currently enrolled at the University at Buffalo as a PhD candidate for the Curriculum Instruction and the Sciences of Learning Program. People Inc. is a not-for-profit health and human services agency providing programs and services to more than 12,000 people with special needs, their families and seniors throughout Western New York. Since 1971, People Inc. has assisted individuals to achieve greater degrees of independence and productivity.

Family Support and Advisory Council is a Resource for Families

People Inc.’s Family Support and Advisory Council meets monthly and offers a chance for family members of the individuals we serve to meet and support one another, obtain insight on program development, discuss challenges and learn more about our programs and the resources that are available, in a non-threatening, friendly environment. At a meeting, held on March 9, Parent Network of WNY Executive Director Susan Barlow guest spoke about the support and education her nonprofit agency offers families of individuals with special needs (birth through adulthood) and for professionals including workshops and referral services. If you are a family member of an individual served by People Inc., or if you know of a family member who would benefit from attending the council meetings, the next meeting will be held Monday, April 13, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. at our administrative headquarters, 1219 North Forest Road, Williamsville. Upcoming 2015 meeting dates, same time and location, are: June 15, July 13, September 14, November 9 and December 14. To RSVP or for more information, contact Stephanie Sullivan at ssullivan@people-inc.org or 716.817.7262.

Elmwood Health Center Diabetes Education Program Recognized for Excellence

The Elmwood Health Center (EHC) , an affiliate of People Inc., recently received recertification for its Diabetes Education Program by the American Association of Diabetes Educators (AADE). EHC’s program remains in full compliance with the stringent national standards set by the AADE. “This recertification means we continue to stand among the country’s best programs,” said People Inc. Associate Vice President Frank Azzarelli. “We are incredibly proud of this achievement.” The Elmwood Health Center established its Diabetes Education Program in 2012 as a result of our active participation in the P2 Collaborative of WNY Diabetes Care Initiative. In 2014, the program served 89 patients which resulted in 138 visits with the EHC’s Certified Diabetes Educator. The news about the EHC’s recertification comes in the same month as The American Diabetes Association’s annual Diabetes Alert Day. Observed this year on March 24, Diabetes Alert Day is a one-day wake-up call to inform the American public about the seriousness of diabetes, particularly when diabetes is left undiagnosed or untreated.

People Inc. Awarded Matching Grant from KeyBank to Help Western New Yorkers with Developmental Disabilities and Special Needs

People Inc., WNY’s largest human services agency, receives $10,000 matching grant March 9, 2015 – People Inc. received a $10,000 grant from KeyBank with a one-year commitment to match donations that will further help individuals with developmental disabilities, special needs and se

Museum of disABILITY History to Host Panel Discussion, Open Mic

Event focuses on contributions of writers with disabilities February 27, 2014: The Museum of disABILITY History will host “Out of the Shadows: Join the Conversation,” a unique two-day event which takes a close look at the lives and contributions of writers with disabilities.  

Dining Out Event Supports Individuals with Brain Injury

A Nourishing Event in Support of Headway of WNY, Inc. February 24, 2015:  In recognition of March as national brain injury awareness month, Headway of WNY, an affiliate of People Inc., is holding a dining out event from March 2 to 4, with select area restaurants. Awareness and funds will