People to People A publication of People Inc. Spring 2005 Golisano Grant Awarded to Museum of disABILITY History People Inc.’s Museum of disABILITY History recently Chief Executive Officer James M. received a $10,000 grant from the B.Thomas Golisano Boles, Ed.D. The B.Thomas Golisano Foundation to further enhance the Museum of disABILITY Foundation grant will make it possible History’s website to become viewer interactive with multi- for the Museum to offer an array of media and virtual tour capacity. media options to attract, retain and The Museum of inform online visitors.The Museum’s disABILITY History collection will be made available for will create a web- educational purposes and allow it to site that preserves impact a global audience. and promotes the history of the The Museum of disABILITY History is B. Thomas Golisano Chairman, dedicated to the collection, preservation President and CEO of Paychex, A prototype of the virtual People Inc. Museum of disability field Inc. disABILITY History website. around the and display of artifacts relating to the world. Website development will be performed by history of people with developmental disabilities.The mission Digicon Communications. is to tell the story of the lives, triumphs and struggles of people with disabilities, as well as society’s reactions. For “The B.Thomas Golisano Foundation has a distinguished more information, contact Douglas A. Platt, project history of spearheading projects that benefit people with coordinator, at (716) 817-7477 or Lynn Beman, developmental disabilities,” said People Inc. President and Museum director, at (716) 817-7439. People Inc.-er’s Get Out the Vote People Inc. This past election year, political analysts predicted record at the polling places and an is gonna numbers of voters hitting the polls to cast their ballot in the election information hotline Get Out first federal election since the Florida 2000 controversy.The number were distributed to each site. The disabled population has historically endured many hardships “The Erie County Board of Elections VOTE! and have often been regarded as not equal in modern society. was instrumental with supplying reg- People Inc. started the istration forms, polling location and “Get Out the Vote” access information,” said Public Affairs T-shirt designed for the GOTV campaign. initiative in order to Director Kevin Horrigan. ensure consumers The effort proved successful cast their ballots. By In this issue among the group homes with encouraging our President’s Message.................2 some regions reporting as high consumers to register Relief is on the Way...................3 Participants from Engelwood Apartments share a rate of 94 percent of those School Districts..........................4 and then actually vote, their political opinions after watching the third registered voters in group homes Educating the Community..........5 presidential debate. we aimed to increase Employee Achievements............6 getting out their vote.The Erie the number of voters who are disabled and give them the Home Health Care.....................7 County Board of Elections Picture Page...................8 and 9 opportunity to participate in their most fundamental right, officially tallied the voting Health Services........................10 their right to vote. population of this election at Grant Awards...........................11 Donor Recognition .....12 and 13 The Public Affairs Department coordinated nonpartisan 73.6 percent with an average Senior Housing ....................14 packets of candidate information, gathered consumers to of 60 percent of those people Vocational Services ................15 watch the final Presidential debate and invited consumers to participating in local elections. various candidate forums. Information about what to expect People to People Full Speed ahead in 2005 Dear Friends, We're in full swing with development on a number of new projects. Our commitment to serving people with special needs continues to guide us to go where the need is so that we can make a difference. I can't say enough about the energy, creativity, dedication and talent of our staff. With a team like this, anything is possible. Here's a snapshot of what you'll see this year: We'll be creating more supportive homes for individuals with developmental disabilities. The doors will open to a new Family Respite Center, funded by contributions from our board, staff, members of the Western New York Senate and Assembly Delegation, families, corporate and foundation partners, and friends in the community.We'll be collaborating with additional colleges to expand our Young Adult Life Transitions Program, giving young people with disabling conditions access to the stimulating and exciting campus experience. Our children's’ services continue to expand as we continue our efforts to establish a charter school. Our senior services will continue to meet even more of the need of the growing elderly population as well.Two new affordable apartment complexes will open in Orchard Park and Lackawanna, with further development started in West Seneca, Clarence, and Cheektowaga. And most importantly, our commitment remains to the highest quality in our existing programs that serve thousands of people, many around-the-clock seven days a week.Thanks for your continued support and feedback. Sincerely, James M. Boles, Ed.D. President and Chief Operating Officer Dear Friends, Through my service as Board Chairperson for the past two years, I've learned much about this agency and even more about this community. In leading a group of the most committed volunteers, we have invested much time and thought into the emerging needs of individuals with disabilities and the elderly population that People Inc. serves. In reviewing information, we considered how these needs fit into the larger context of the Western New York community. Policies were expanded and new initiatives begun and in many cases, already completed. I'm impressed with the talent and effectiveness of the People Inc. staff and am proud of how the agency continues to push for progress and results. As I “turn the guard over” to Georgiana Jungels, as the new chairperson, my commitment as a board member continues. Thanks for a wonderful two years! In your service, People Inc. Mission People Inc. exists so that Nancy R. Dobson individuals with disabling 2003 and 2004 Board Chairperson conditions or other special needs have the support they need to participate and succeed in an accepting society. 2 Spring 2005 Relief is on the Way - Family Respite Center Capital Campaign Update For those families caring for a loved one with a developmental disability, finding the time for routine tasks or a well deserved Chief Operating rest is often a challenging task. Soon relief will be on the way Officer for hundreds of families due to the culmination of People Inc.'s Rhonda Family Respite Center Capital Campaign. Frederick noted that the Campaign Chairperson William M. Collins speaks from agency's vendors experience. “Respite is a lifeline for our family…including our earned thanks daughter.When she attends an occasional weekend at respite, it and praise for gives us much-needed relief from the Families the special have equated respite unrelenting responsibilities and it gives partnering role her time to spend with her peers.” During the groundbreaking ceremony, Scott and Suella with the “knot at the they played Bowman (left and right), campaign honorary chairs, offered a end of a rope” for through financial tribute to People Inc. for its matchless services to family mem- The success of the campaign was bers, including their son David, who resides in a People Inc. providing safe and reliable celebrated at the groundbreaking and in-kind sup- group home. Alexandra Wehr (middle), campaign vice-chair services any time it is and KeyBank vice president of corporate banking, stated ceremony in August. Construction port. needed. “KeyBank is pleased to support such a worthy project and quickly followed on the Downing help the hundreds of families in need of relief.” Participants will House (Family Respite Center) on Genesee benefit from enhancements in the new Street in Lancaster, named in honor of benefactors Franklin Sr. facility, including private rooms, recreation areas and a kitchen and Dolores Downing. Mr. Downing is the owner of Towne spacious enough for wheelchairs.The new Downing House Automotive Group and his family generously donated $125,000 (Family Respite Center), available to any individual over the age to the campaign. of ten with a developmental disability, will offer before and after school care, along with emergency, overnight, planned or week- end care. Participants enjoy activities to promote social interac- tion, healthy meals and comfortable accommodations with the help of trained staff.These services may relieve burdens put on other family members, allowing families to be more efficient at work and contribute to a happier lifestyle. Thank you to the families and businesses who continue to send in gifts. Downing House (Family Respite Center) is sched- Community leaders, business partners and People Inc. board members join to uled to open in the spring of 2005. For more information, call break ground for the new Downing House (Family Respite Center) located on Genesee Street near Transit in Lancaster. Denise M. Paszkiewicz, corporate affairs director, at (716) 817-7470. Over 900 individuals contributed, raising $841,000 pledges to date.The agency's employees led individual giving