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.