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.  

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.

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

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.

Drive Fore People Inc. Golf Tournament a Success

The People Inc. Foundation hosted its annual golf tournament, The Drive Fore People Inc., on July 15 at Park Country Club in Williamsville for a sold-out roster of supporters.  Although storms forced players inside early in the round, guests returned for a wonderful night of dinner, entertainment, silent auction, and a brief program featuring, People Inc. President and CEO, Anne McCaffrey. The day brought together corporate sponsors and donors to People Inc. in support of the agency’s mission to provide programs and services that enhance the lives with people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, seniors, the Deaf and hard of hearing, and those seeking affordable housing. The event raised nearly $70,000. Special thanks are extended to all of People Inc.’s sponsors who made the event so successful, especially our Presenting Sponsor, Parkview Health Services, and the Hole-in-One Sponsors, including Long Associates Architects, Uniland Development Corporation and USI Insurance Services LLC.  Erica Sammarco, Senior Vice President for Advancement, who oversees the Foundation, reflected on the event saying, “We are overwhelmed by the consistent outpouring of support and the generosity of all our sponsors. Year after year, they make People Inc. a priority and recognize the critical role the agency plays in enriching the quality of life for Western New Yorkers through our programs and services.”

New Fund Created in the People Inc. Foundation

The People Inc. Foundation helps fund quality of life programs, medical equipment, technology, capital improvements, staff development and advocacy efforts. It relies on community support to provide services to people in need and the efforts of its Foundation Board volunteers.  A restricted fund was recently launched - the President & CEO’s Discretionary Support Fund - in recognition of  People Inc. CEO & President Anne McCaffrey’s new leadership and vision for the future. It will provide essential resources to: Support the development of new and innovative initiatives that engage and enrich the experiences of people receiving services. Address immediate needs and fund unexpected strategic priorities. Provide funds that support our dedicated DSPs when urgent or unexpected expenses arise. The fund was announced in a letter from People Inc. Foundation President William Regan, where he shared: "At People Inc., our services touch the lives of thousands of people annually. My own personal experiences with their staff of professionals and programs have provided me and my loved ones with an abundance of care, strength and hope, along with a vibrant sense of community. People Inc. is committed to investing in the latest resources available and in professional development programs that promote excellence in the delivery of services. It is for these reasons that I fully support the development of the President & CEO’s Discretionary Support Fund." Learn more and donate    

Support People Inc. During the "Give 716" Event

Mark Your Calendar for July 15 - 16! Give 716  is a collaborative giving event organized by the Buffalo Bills and Buffalo Sabres Foundations to unite fans and the community in support of local nonprofits. This epic giving event is a one-of-a-kind chance  to donate to People Inc.  while taking advantage of corporate challenges where gifts are matched, or special incentives are offered!  From 7:16 p.m. on July 15 through 11:59 p.m. on July 16, you can join the fun and make a difference with your donation. Every gift made to People Inc. will also be matched by the generosity of Uniland Development Company (up to $4,000)! Donations made to People Inc. will support our many life-changing services benefiting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, essential affordable housing, services for the Deaf and hard of hearing and a range of programs for seniors. Worlds open because of your generous philanthropy! Want to help even more? Share the  Give 716 information  with your networks through social media. Support a great cause, while enjoying these special perks!

Dr. Lizbeth Booth 2024 Supervisors of the Year Celebrated

People Inc. celebrated the Dr. Lizbeth Booth Supervisors of the Year Awards, which recognizes the critical role of our supervisors who directly support people receiving services. The awards honor the memory and legacy of Lizbeth Booth, PhD, who was an integral part of many different areas at People Inc. for nearly 30 years. Dr. Booth inspired her staff, helped them build their own skills and empowered them to become a resource to others. At the recognition breakfast, People Inc. President and CEO Anne McCaffrey said, "As a supervisor, I know you are training and engaging your team, and your wisdom and expertise have a profound impact on them and the care we provide. Your guidance sets the tone and results in people achieving their dreams, turning houses into homes, and ensuring people can live fulfilling lives."  Noting her appreciation for all that the supervisors do, she added, "It is clear, both from my experience over the past year and from the voices of the nominators, that this year’s Supervisors of the Year are natural leaders who are: patient, encouraging, compassionate, inclusive, adaptable, and quick to offer recognition. Thank you for lifting People Inc. to incredible heights." The honorees are:  Diana Ball Quintella Cottrell Monica Debus Maura Dimino Kelly Dlugosz Erika Falinski Maddison Fleming Shannon Greiner Thomas Griffith Charmaine Henley-Brown Amy Johnson Ken Kraffert Sarah Loeffler Ijeoma Mack Jenna McKeone Natalie Moore Andrea Parrish Tara Polakiewicz Denise Smaszcz Daniel Soto Cassandra Special Angela Winslow Jason Zauner

People Inc. Plays Major Role in Annual Developmental Disabilities Conference

The 36th Annual Developmental Disabilities Day Conference is a marquis event of the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of WNY, which is a collaborative group of member voluntary agencies who provide services to people with disabilities in the Western New York and Finger Lakes regions. This conference brought together advocates, industry connected vendors and suppliers, local and regional agencies, and leading experts to present on a wide variety of topics during the event. The event, run by volunteers, is the largest one of its kind in the United States. People Inc. was a proud sponsor of this event. Additionally, several agency employees volunteer their time and expertise in leadership roles on the planning committee. Receiving awards and presenting during the conference were: Kelly Special, Senior Residential Supervisor/LPN, was honored as the Service Provider of the Year for her commitment to ensuring the well-being of the women who live in a People Inc. supported community-based home and fostering an environment of respect and dignity. Brandon Scott whose original artwork was selected as the logo for the event. Brandon participates in the agency's ArtsWork program and has exhibited works locally and internationally. Dennis Garland, Ph. D., Associate Professor, Niagara University, who oversees the Special Olympics basketball competition received the Community Partner Award for his incorporation of people served by programs at People Inc. who participate alongside NU students with the planning of the event as well as the competition. Jenn Ball, Occupational Therapist, People Inc; Brian Clayback, General Manager, People First Mobility and Joanna Jackson, Physical Therapist, People Inc. presented a workshop on "Forget the Limitations – Focus on Solutions. Learn the Process to Obtain Seating, Mobility and Adaptive Equipment" Jeff Sanderson, Vice President Strategic Initiatives, People Inc. presented on "Best Practices for True Inclusion" along with Sam Mattle, Executive Director, Center for Self Advocacy and Chrys Malachowski. Jeff and Sam are co-chairs of the Partnership Coalition. People Inc. was proud to sponsor this well-attended event. In addition to our award honorees and workshop presenters, the agency also showcased our therapy dog program and art created through the ArtsWork program in a pop-up gallery.