| Celebrating a Wonderful Milestone
People Inc. recently held an official opening event for its Walnut Senior Living location in West Seneca, that 46 seniors now call home. The event was held on May 8 and it was a beautiful, sunny day. Tenants happily shared their personal stories, mingled with guests and provided tours of their apartments to community members.
Saundra King (pictured), a current tenant at Walnut Senior Living, spoke at the event. She shared her thoughts about what it was like to downsize, including all the emotions that go along with it, and what it’s like to now be happily settled. “I feel comfortable and safe. I actually participate in some of the activities I didn’t think I would,” shared Saundra. “My life has become much easier. I have less stress, less anxiety and I have more time to enjoy my senior years.” Additional program remarks were provided by Congressman Brian Higgins; Assemblymember Michael P. Kearns; Town of West Seneca Supervisor Sheila M. Meegan; Field Office Director for U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Joan Spilman; and People Inc. President and Chief Executive Officer Rhonda Frederick, who shared the history of People Inc. Senior Living. People Inc. Walnut Senior Living marks the agency’s 19th Senior Living location as it responds to the needs of a growing elderly population, while helping seniors have a meaningful life by living affordably and safely with support services as needed. For photos from our event, click here and use the password: Walnut. Click here for the article featured in The Buffalo News.
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| You’re Invited to an Inspiring Send-Off Party!
Join us Saturday, May 30, at noon at our headquarters, 1219 North Forest Road, Williamsville, as we cheer on members of our Guys Group as they embark on a 17-day journey across the country. Guys Group is a social group for young men with developmental disabilities and is part of People Inc.’s life coaching program. The trip is a learning project designed by People Inc. staff to help participants develop and improve important life skills. The travelers will be meeting groups from other non-profit agencies, camping at national parks and documenting their adventure.
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People Inc. in the Community
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On April 28, People Inc. employees had fun volunteering for Buffalo News Kids Day. The group raised $663.71! The proceeds from the sale of this special edition are presented to Variety, the Children’s Charity, to benefit Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo, the Robert Warner MD Center for Children with Special Needs, Children’s Charities of Western New York and Cradle Beach.
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|  | Susan Sambrotto of People Inc. with Buffalo Sabres Patrick Kaleta and Buffalo Bills Fred Jackson. |
| On April 25, People Inc. participated in Embrace the Difference Give Back Day at Reeds Jewelers/Jenss Décor. A percentage of purchases made at the stores benefitted People Inc. The two lucky winners of our garden turtle raffles were JoAnne Clayback and Michele Vaughters.
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|  | Pictured L-R: Nicole Briggs, Senator Patrick Gallivan and Melissa McMurray. |
| People Inc. participated in Senator Patrick M. Gallivan’s Family Health and Safety Fair at the West Seneca Senior Center. People Inc. Senior Living apartment managers shared information about our senior services.
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People Inc. Thanks its Supporting Members
Our People Inc. Foundation Supporting Member Appreciation Arts Event was held on May 1. The evening is our way of saying thank you to our supporters and showing them firsthand the programs and services their support makes possible. Program participants who have developmental disabilities shared country and salsa dance routines, a rap performance, puppet demonstration, poetry readings and woodworking. Click here to view photos from the event using the password: Support. To become a People Inc. Supporting Member, click here.
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Buffalo Afternoon Respite Programs Now Accepting Participants
People Inc.’s Afternoon Respite Programs provide after school care for young people with developmental disabilities, ages 4 to 21. Participants receive assistance with homework and enjoy arts and crafts, peer socialization, community outings and more. Our After the Belle Program, 104 Maryland Street and Buffalo Afternoon Respite, 2635 Delaware Avenue are currently accepting participants.
To enroll a loved one or to learn more, call 716.817.9215.
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PEOPLE INC. IN THE NEWS Recent news stories that include information from People Inc. and
agency representatives.
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Workshop for Parents to get Answers on Social Security Benefits
If your loved one with a developmental disability is a participant in our programs and you are worried about changes to their social security benefits upon entering competitive employment, our upcoming workshop can help provide some answers. “Balancing Employment: Not Your Benefits” will be held on Wednesday, May 20, from 5:00 to 7:30 p.m., 3131 Sheridan Drive, Amherst. Catholic Charities Community Services will address the myths versus realities of working while collecting social security benefits. This session is open for families served by People Inc. There will be time for families to have one-on-one consultation. To RSVP, contact Dave Mack-Hardiman at dmack@people-inc.org or call 716.629.3606.
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Headway of Western New York’s Spring Gala
People Inc. affiliate, Headway of WNY, will celebrate their 16th Annual Spring Gala, Diamond Anniversary – 30 Years of Caring, on Thursday, May 28, from 5:30 to 9:00 p.m. at Classics V Banquet Center, 2425 Niagara Falls Blvd, Amherst. Join us for live music, hors d’oeuvres, drinks, dinner, a silent auction and one of the largest basket raffles in the area! The event is presented by ECMC. Proceeds from this event support Headway of WNY to ensure that individuals in WNY with brain injuries and other disabilities have access to advocacy, resources and support systems to enable them to live as independently as possible.
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Paint on Tap for People Inc.
Gather your friends and join us July 6 to paint a majestic dandelion and help raise funds for People Inc! The event will be held at Paint on Tap’s Williamsville location. No experience or equipment needed. There are easy-to-follow instructions and staff assistance. You can even bring your own food and non-alcoholic beverages. Click on the above date to register.
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| Golfing for a Cause
People Inc.’s 14th Annual Drive Fore Disabilities Golf Tournament will be held on Monday, August 17, at East Aurora Country Club, 300 Girdle Road, East Aurora. Our Early Bird Morning Round is available to accommodate those who might not have a full day to attend our event. You can expect a quick round of golf and are welcome to attend the dinner program. Both rounds include lunch and will follow a four-man best ball scramble format with a shot gun start. The early round will tee off at 7:30 a.m. and the afternoon round will tee off at 12:30 p.m. A dinner program will conclude the event, complete with a silent auction and raffle prizes. Sponsorships are available for eight, four or two golfers. Auction items are also welcome. For more information or to register, click here or contact Sarah Snyder, annual giving manager, at ssnyder@people-inc.org or by calling 716.817.7269.
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| NEWS FROM THE MUSEUM OF DISABILITY HISTORY
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Mark your calendars for two upcoming events: When: Friday, May 29, from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. Where: Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo Info: Learn about Rosanne Higgins’ Orphans and Inmates book series and the research that shaped its creation. Higgins’ involvement with the University at Buffalo’s Erie County Poorhouse Cemetery Project will be discussed, and how it inspired her second novel, A Whisper of Bones. She will also discuss the relationship between poverty and disability in the nineteenth century. Cost: Adults – $6; students, seniors and human service employees – $3.50; Museum Members – FREE RSVP: 716.629.3626
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| When: Monday, June 1, from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Where: Museum of disABILITY History, 3826 Main Street, Buffalo Info: Learn how to use machines that make voting possible for those who are blind, visually impaired or otherwise unable to mark a traditional ballot. Feel comfortable casting your vote with a machine provided by the Erie County Board of Elections. Cost: Free RSVP: 716.629.3626
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OTHER LOCAL, STATE, NATIONAL NEWS
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