I always find it challenging to limit the accomplishments of our
Agency onto two pages, as the amount of work done and the
progressmade insomanypeoples’ livesoverayear isvast. In2015,
our Agency had an IMPACT onmany people in our community by
especially focusing on health and wellness, person-centered care
and employment for peoplewithdevelopmental disabilities.
We often hear from our community when there is an area where
our support is needed. In North Tonawanda, the message was
loud and clear: young people in Niagara County needed Respite
Services and Pre-Vocational (Pre-Voc.) programs. True to our
Mission, we foundaway to start providing these services. In2015,
webought and renovatedour newest locationatHumphrey Street
inNorth Tonawanda.We took a risk and the results provedwedid
the right thing.
The initial responsewasoverwhelming. DuringourRibbonCutting
in September 2015, families were literally knocking at the door,
eager to learnmore about how their lovedones couldparticipate.
We opened the Humphrey Center serving 5 young people in Pre-
Voc. By theone yearmark, wewill be serving 40people in various
programs there. Familiesnow relyonusand theword isspreading.
Inall of ourCommunityServicesprograms, peopleareencouraged
to develop the skills that might assist them in becoming eligible
for competitive employment. Imagine giving someone the skill to
findmeaningful employment in the community andwatching how
excited they are to go towork at their own job. Our Pre-Voc. staff
members are a key part of this transformation as they support
people learning job skills and career options through internship
and volunteer opportunities.We startedPre-Voc. in 2013 andnow
support over 40 people in this program.
AMessage from thePresident
