Foundationews Cynthia Clocks out at 2 P.M
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TO PeopleA PUBLICATION OF PEOPLE INC. People SUMMER 2000 From Welfare to Working Donna McLaughlin, executive housekeeper at the Hampton Inn in Cheektowaga, believes in giving people a chance. She says she got her job because someone gave her a chance and now she does the same for others. “There’s good, working people everywhere. You have to give them a chance. How will you know someone is good unless you try?” said Donna. After interviewing Cynthia Parker, a 41 year old woman with limited long-term work experience, Donna practiced this philosophy. “I don’t do it often,” she said, “but I had a gut feeling about Cynthia. She presented herself very well, was neat and friendly. I hired her on the spot.” It’s the desire to want something better for her family and improve herself that motivates Cynthia to perform the following weekday ritual. Monday through Friday, Cynthia, a mother of five children ranging in age from 2 to 21, rises early in the Cynthia Parker, housekeeper, has been employed with the What’s morning, gets her youngest child ready for day care Hampton Inn since October 1999. “I want to keep moving up while her other children get themselves ready for –doing better, satisfying the company to their standards.” INSIDE school. At 7:00 a.m., she’s out the door and on one of three buses that gets her to work by 8:00 a.m. placement to people with employment barriers. Jim Responsible for cleaning 18 hotel rooms a day, Scutt, program coordinator for People Inc.’s Foundationews Cynthia clocks out at 2 p.m. On Saturday, she’s back Working People Employment Services program, to handle the busy weekend breakfast said, “People Inc. has been providing employment duties alone. That’s dedication. It’s also a great and training services for people with developmental employment opportunity for Cynthia who had disabilities for many years. It was a natural previously been out of work for several years. progression to expand our services to people with Cynthia Parker is one of more than 90 “hard to other employment challenges.” • Foundation News serve” individuals participating in People Inc.’s He added, “Since last June, we have worked Premier Issue Working People Employment Services program. together to provide job training, motivational Insert Following the birth of her youngest child, Cynthia encouragement and workplace survival skills to found it difficult to find time to work. She became more than 160 long-term welfare recipients. Many involved in People Inc.’s Working People of these individuals have been placed into the Employment Services in 1999, where she received workforce.” job-readiness training and placement services. Job The program works closely with employers to coaches worked with Cynthia to find a job that was ensure successful, long-term placements. And it compatible with her skills, interests, transportation appears we’re doing things the right way. As Donna needs and family obligations. said, “I would call People Inc. before calling A collaborative grant awarded by the Buffalo another agency or putting an ad in the paper.” She and Erie County Private Industry Council created a added, “They have very good follow-up, calling to • ADF Construction 9th Annual People Inc. partnership between People Inc., Niagara Frontier check in.” Rat Race Vocational Rehabilitation Center, Inc. and Suburban “If I could clone Cynthia, it would be fantastic. Page 7 Adult Services, Inc. to provide job training and She’s awesome!” Summer Dear Friends, As you read our cover story, you may have been surprised to learn of the extent of People Inc.’s employment and training services. This is one of the many areas that we have expanded over the years because of a need in the community and the strength of our experience. Due to intermittent work histories or limited further education, some people may be viewed as “hard to place.” Today, we assist hundreds of individuals with a variety of employment challenges, to prepare for and find jobs in Western New York. They may be viewed as a gamble. But as we have learned over the years, this is a stereotype that has been proven to be inaccurate again and again. Businesses that hire the people we assist benefit from lower turnover and reliable, diligent workers. Everywhere you look, “Help Wanted” signs are posted on retail stores, restaurants and local businesses throughout Western New York. It seems everyone is looking for help–sales people, wait staff, human service workers, housekeepers and managers. There are people ready and waiting to fill these positions. Graduates of local job training programs are qualified, capable, enthusiastic applicants and yet they are often overlooked by employers. Only after successfully completing intensive training are candidates matched with appropriate jobs based on their interests and abilities. Once placed in a position, job coaches work closely with employees to ensure that they meet the goals established to be successful at People Inc. exists to their work site. enable individuals in It’s a beneficial situation for businesses. Open positions are filled by committed, hard working employees who stay on the job and receive substantial on-going support and training from Western New York agencies like ours. There’s no fee to companies for these services and it’s a boost for the local economy. People move off public assistance and become tax paying citizens. with disabling conditions to We are pleased to open doors for people with employment barriers, whatever their function in an accepting challenges may be, and to help produce a qualified, energetic workforce to fill positions for WNY employers. It builds a stronger, healthier community for all of us. society, and to decrease the Sincerely, incidence of disabilities. James M. Boles, Ed.D. President & CEO 2 2000 Reaching Out to New Populations through NYS CARES frustration and depression because individuals have difficulty understanding why they are not functioning as they did prior to the accident. Our employees have been trained to understand the characteristics and behaviors associated with TBI and learn effective intervention strategies, should they ever be necessary. The staff to consumer ratio at East River Road is higher (3:5) than a traditional group home for people with developmental disabilities. Sharon Morrissey, administrator of TBI services, is on hand to provide support and training for staff, as well as regular interaction with the residents to identify their needs The above community residence on Central Avenue in Lancaster was one of two homes opened this spring through and help them understand and manage their new life the NYS CARES Initiative. It is home to eight adults with situation. developmental disabilities. East River Road, the long stretch of homes and wooded lots along the Niagara River on Grand Island, is the location of our new group home for individuals with Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). It is also one of three homes in Western New York designed specifically for TBI survivors. Five adult males, whose lives have been dramatically altered by sustaining a brain injury, now live independently in a rural community setting. Each resident was previously living in homes or institutions which were not geared towards the specific needs of individuals with TBI. A few men had even moved out-of-state following their accidents due to lack of residential Michael George, one of five residents at East River Rd., opportunities here. enjoys the warm weather on the patio of his new home. TBI can happen to anyone at anytime during his Following his accident, Michael had to re-learn everything using his left hand. “I am grateful to People Inc. for all of the or her life. It has a dramatic impact on the lives of support they have given to me,” he said. the injured person and his or her family members. Although no injury is the same, TBI commonly For more information about services for indivi- affects memory, organization skills and the ability to duals with Traumatic Brain Injury, please call process information. This can often lead to severe Sharon Morrissey at 634-8132, ext. 236. Elmwood Health Center, for school-aged children; asthma care; neurology Offering Pediatric Services and rehabilitative services. The Elmwood Health Center also offers an infant for Your Loved Ones massage course for children, birth to eight months Are you or someone you know expecting a old. Physical, occupational, speech and hearing baby? The Elmwood Health Center provides therapy, dietary counseling, exercise programs, quality health care for newborns and adolescents. counseling and family support groups are also Our physicians are dually certified in both available for your child. pediatrics and adult medicine. They are affiliated The Center is available for all your adult medical with Kaleida Health hospitals. needs as well. With our family care, you don’t have As an enrolled patient, your child will receive to go to three or more different primary care newborn and well baby care and free immuniza- providers. The Elmwood Health Center has all the tions. Adolescent services include: physicals for care and medical information you and your family school, sports, camp and working papers; lead and will need under one roof. Please call 874-4500 to anemia screenings; hearing and vision screenings make an appointment or request a free brochure. 3 Summer A Little TLC Goes a Long Way Toy Donations Needed for Early The beautiful spring weather brought out the Intervention Program best in employees and consumers who tilled the soil at various North region homes. During the month of May, the North region sponsored Garden Month in an effort to beautify the landscaping of several group homes. Under the direction of staff members Bob Cunningham and Greg Alaimo, Long Road ICF, Beachridge IRA, N.