A new fund created in memory of a former TRC dentist will support the provision of dental services to people with disabilities.

The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., have established the Dr. John Vona “Smile” Fund thanks to a $15,000 donation from Dr. Vona’s children (Linda Hart, Dr. David Vona, Sandy Stewart, and Daniel Vona).

The fund is named in memory of Dr. John Vona, who worked in TRC Community Health Center’s Dunkirk Dental Office for 20 years before retiring in 2022. He passed away in Match 2024.

Several months ago, Dr. Vona’s children contacted The Resource Center with the idea of creating the Smile Fund to carry on their father’s legacy of providing compassionate dental care to people with disabilities.

“My dad always believed in treating everyone with dignity and kindness, and his dental practice truly reflected that,” said Linda Hart. “He had such a deep love for this community and was always looking for ways to give back. This fund is a way to carry on his spirit of compassion and make sure his legacy of helping others continues, especially for those who need it most.”

Filling the Gap will use the Smile Fund to help close the gap in oral health services for people with disabilities. “We are incredibly grateful for this new fund and the opportunity it presents to expand vital services to those who need them most,” said Greg Krauza, President of FTG’s Board of Directors.

Dr. Vona’s former colleagues at TRC Community Health Center remember him fondly, and they are thankful for the creation of the Smile Fund and the opportunity to serve more people with disabilities.

“We were so fortunate to work with Dr. Vona at our dental office in Dunkirk for so many years. He was a bright spot in everyone’s day and treated each patient with genuine kindness,” said Heather C. Brown, Vice President for Clinical Operations at The Resource Center and Community Inclusion, Inc., which operates TRC Community Health Center.

“It is an honor that his family has elected to continue his legacy and support of individuals in need of dental care in our community.”

“For those who had the pleasure of knowing Dr. Vona, his unwavering passion for serving people with disabilities left a permanent mark on us all. His kind and compassionate nature that he brought to our practice sets the standard for our continued mission to provide the best healthcare we can to our community,” said Lindsay VandeVelde, Community Inclusion’s Executive Director.

“Our gratitude goes out to the Vona family for their generous establishment of the Smile Fund. Their commitment and supportive gesture foster our mission to meet the oral healthcare needs of individuals with disabilities,” Lindsay added.

Taking part in the contract signing to formally establish The Resource Center Dr. John Vona Smile Fund are, from left, Linda Hart and Dr. David Vona, children of Dr. John Vona; Greg Krauza, President of Filling the Gap’s Board; Cindy Hitchcock, Filling the Gap’s Chief Executive Officer; and Tina Downey, Development Officer at Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Dr. Vona, fondly called “Doc” within the community, completed school at the University of Buffalo’s Dental School in 1961 and immediately entered the U.S. Army Reserve Dental division at Ft. Riley, KS. After an honorable discharge, he set down roots in Silver Creek, NY. He had a thriving dental practice for more than 45 years and continued to work well into his mid-80s for The Resource Center at TRC Community Health Center in Dunkirk, NY, where he retired after working 61 years as an area dentist.

He prided himself on building relationships and patient care with a splash of humor. Dr. Vona was a compassionate and highly respected local dentist whose career was defined by kindness, dedication and a heartfelt commitment to serving others — especially individuals with special needs. The “Smile” Fund pays tribute to both his professional legacy and the joy he brought to his patients, co-workers and community.

The Vona family plans to raise money for the fund via the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk, which celebrates people with disabling conditions. The Laurel Run/Walk was created in 1997 by longtime TRC volunteers Wayne and Elaine Hotelling in honor of their daughter Laurel, who had Down syndrome. Dr. Vona regularly attended the event.

“The Laurel Run meant a lot to him,” Linda Hart said of her father, “not just for the cause, but for how it brought people together.”

In addition, Dr. Vona was the dentist for Laurel and her siblings, which enhances the connection between the Vona and Hotelling families.

The Smile Fund joins six other TRC funds that are managed by the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

“The Dr. John Vona ‘Smile’ Fund is a beautiful tribute and a meaningful investment in our region’s well-being,” said Tory Irgang, CRCF’s Executive Director. “We are proud to continue our partnership with The Resource Center and grateful to the Vona family for choosing the Foundation as a steward of their father’s legacy.”

People can donate to the Smile Fund at https://fillingthegap.net/donate. Applications for assistance from the Smile Fund are available at Filling the Gap, 716-661-1519.

Posing together at TRC Community Health Center in Dunkirk to announce the creation of the Smile Fund are, from left are, front row, Gladys Alverio, Dr. John Vona’s Dental Assistant during his time at TRC Community Health Center; Linda Hart, Dr. Vona’s daughter; Kelly Dimitri, TRC’s Chief Operating Officer; Lindsay VandeVelde, Executive Director of Community Inclusion, Inc.; and Heather C. Brown, Vice President for Clinical Operations; and, back row, Dr. David Vona; Greg Krauza, President of Filling the Gap’s Board; Elaine and Wayne Hotelling, co-founders of the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk; Cindy Hitchcock, FTG’s Chief Executive Officer; and Tina Downey, Development Officer at Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

A local library came up with a wonderful way to acknowledge the financial contributions of a person The Resource Center supports.

Matt S. visits the Falconer Public Library on a regular basis with his Life Coach, Jennifer Herron. When he checks out books and movies, Matt donates a few dollars.

Whenever Matt makes a donation Sandy Thies, Senior Library Clerk, places the money in an envelope with Matt’s name on it. The amount of money in the envelope has grown over time, and recently Sandy used Matt’s contributions to buy a book filled with Dr. Seuss stories.

Sandy put an acknowledgment in the book stating that Matt had donated it. (Matt’s pictured here holding the book alongside Sandy.) Dr. Seuss books are among Matt’s favorites, and he hopes many library visitors will enjoy the book.

We thank Sandy and the Falconer Public Library for celebrating Matt’s contributions in a way that meant a lot to him.

TRC’s SAFER Program and Pearl City Cycle teamed up to assist a person whose bicycle was stolen.

Josh Johnson, Staff Assistance Specialist, shared that on a recent Monday, the person briefly left their bicycle unattended outside their home, and when they returned the bike was gone. The bike was the person’s primary mode of transportation.

“This forced the employee to walk the 2 miles to and from their work each day,” Josh said. By the following Thursday, the person was struggling. Knowing the lack of transportation was going to negatively affect their ability to work, the person sought assistance from their company’s Human Resources Department. At the HR representative’s recommendation, the person contacted SAFER about their dilemma.

SAFER (which stands for Supporting and Facilitating Employee Retention) supports people in overcoming barriers to successful employment. Local businesses contract with TRC to operate SAFER at their work sites in order to address issues that could affect a person’s ability to successfully maintain employment.

After speaking with the person whose bike was stolen, SAFER representatives went to work checking with its contacts, some of which provided reduced-cost solutions, Josh said. Pearl City Cycle, located on Fairmount Avenue in West Ellicott, had a bicycle that recently had been donated. Josh said Pearl City supports local programs aimed at getting bicycles to people who need them for work and day-to-day living. He said a Pearl City representative indicated, “That’s part of our mission, giving back.”

“Pearl City Cycle inspected, cleaned and tuned the bike, and had it ready by Friday afternoon,” Josh said. “This was in time to deliver the bike, free of charge, to its new owner, the employee in need, at their home, after walking what would hopefully be the last walk home from work for a long time.”

Josh said the person was excited to receive the bike and amazed to get it so quickly and to have it delivered, exclaiming admiringly, “You guys don’t play!”

Based on this happy ending, SAFER encourages owners of unused bikes to consider donating them to Pearl City Cycle. By doing so, you will contribute to the initiative to support people who need reliable transportation to work. We thank SAFER and Pearl City for collaborating to preserve the employee’s ability to get to and from their job.

NOTE: Local businesses interested in bringing SAFER to their worksites may contact the program at 716-640-5151 or at [email protected].

Members of The Resource Center’s Make A Mark self-advocacy group shared their personal experiences and spoke about the importance of accepting people with disabilities during presentations at Silver Creek Central School.

The invitation to speak resulted from a connection that was developed between our Make A Mark group and Janet Decker, a Silver Creek special education teacher. Inspired by publicity surrounding past successful efforts of our Make A Mark group to have the City of Dunkirk declare March as “Spread the Word: Inclusion” Month, Janet, the Silver Creek Youth Advisory Committee and Forestville Central School students successfully advocated for the Hanover Town Board to do something similar this year.

TRC employee Beth Ray, who facilitates the Make A Mark group, contacted Janet. This led to an invitation to have Make A Mark representatives address assemblies at the high school, the middle school and for fourth- and fifth-graders at the elementary school. Make A Mark members Jennifer Meyers and Michael Ostrye told the young people about the importance of including people with special needs in all aspects of community life and treating them with respect, with each sharing how they had been bullied and excluded when they were children.

“This bullying made me feel like the stupidest person alive. Can you imagine feeling like that every day?” Jen told the audience. “Just because someone is a little different than you, it never gives you the right to treat them badly.”

“The ultimate goal is to think twice about treating someone with a disability differently or excluding them, and maybe take time to encourage people that may need a little extra help,” Mike said. “I always like to say, ‘Hey, get to know us before you judge us.’”

A third Male A Mark member, Mary Hayes, wasn’t able to attend the assemblies, so Mike read her comments to the audiences.

Beth also spoke. “They are all success stories,” she said of Jen, Mike and Mary. “They have jobs, homes; they vote, just like everyone else; and they are valued members of the communities where they live and work.”

Pictured from left are Beth; Janet; Lynne Newman, TRC Employment Services Administrator; Mike; Sandy Korzeniewski, TRC Production Coordinator; and Jen.

We thank Jen, Mike and Mary for sharing their personal stories and spreading the word about inclusion! They did such a good job, they were invited to come back to do a similar presentation for second- and third-graders.

Several TRC staff were on hand to support Jen and Mike, as were retired Silver Creek Teacher and Laurel Memorial Run/Walk founders Wayne Hotelling and his wife, Elaine.

Jen, Beth and Mike stand in front of a wall containing hundreds of Inclusion Pledges signed by pupils, teachers and staff.

We are in the final stretch of NYS and Congressional Budget Season and it’s time to REALLY advocate fast and furious!

Please use all six links to ensure supports and service are protected.

THREE New York Links to ‘one click’ budget advocacy:

New York Alliance for Inclusion & Innovation – NY Alliance Government Action Center

New York Disability Advocates – Fighting for Equity for New Yorkers with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

Tell NYS Legislators and Governor: Include 7.8% in the Enacted Budget to Supports for People with IDD

THREE links for Federal Medicaid protection:

Preserve I/DD Services—Tell Congress Protect Medicaid! | ANCOR

Advocate – Developmental Disabilities Alliance – DDAWNY

Tell Congress: Medicaid Is a Lifeline for People With Disabilities!

Your advocacy is key!   Thank-you!!

Alliance Alert: Earlier today, Congress passed a federal budget framework that threatens to bring the largest Medicaid cuts in U.S. history—up to $880 billion in slashed funding that millions of Americans rely on for essential healthcare services. These cuts aren’t just numbers on a spreadsheet—they’re a direct threat to the health, stability, and lives of children, older adults, people with disabilities, and working families across the country.

If allowed to move forward, these proposals will force states like New York to make impossible choices: reduce services, cut provider rates, or limit access for people who need these services. That means more people falling through the cracks, longer wait times for care, reduced mental health and substance use supports, and even more strain on hospitals, community providers, and local governments already stretched thin. We must not let this happen.

Now is the time for states to push back, and for people to speak out. Congress needs to hear that slashing Medicaid will have dangerous effects on all of us. We must demand that our federal representatives preserve the programs that protect our wellbeing.

The Alliance for Rights and Recovery urges all New Yorkers to contact their representatives and call for the protection of Medicaid and healthcare funding. This isn’t about politics—it’s about people. Our health and our communities are on the line.

You don’t have to start from scratch. Here are tools you can use to make your voice heard:

• Take Action Now: Use the Alliance’s Action Alert tool to quickly send a message to your representative.
• Share Your Story: Tell your Medicaid story through this SurveyMonkey form—add your name, location, photo, and why Medicaid matters to you.
• Use & Share the Facts: Medicaid Matters NY has created district-specific fact sheets for all 26 NY House districts. Print them, post them, bring them to meetings, or use them in emails and newsletters.
• Stay Informed: Visit the Medicaid Matters federal issues page for updates, articles, and advocacy resources.

Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union (SCFCU) recently announced it had renewed its $15,000 corporate sponsorship contribution to The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., a Jamestown-based non-profit organization that works with The Resource Center to support people with disabilities and other socioeconomic challenges in Chautauqua County.

As a corporate sponsor, SCFCU will receive recognition as a sponsor of the annual fund-raising events organized by The Resource Center and Filling the Gap.  Those events include the Ability Awareness Awards, TRC Golf Classic, Step Up for Autism, Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, Sassy Baggs & Beyond Blingo, and Mark Pacheco WOW Fund Lip Sync Battle.

“Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union is honored to support The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc.,” said John Felton, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union’s Chief Executive Officer. “Our organization believes in The Resource Center’s mission to empower individuals with disabilities to live meaningful lives. Our contribution is a reflection of our commitment to inclusivity, accessibility, and creating opportunities for everyone to thrive.”

“On behalf of myself and the employees of The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, we are appreciative of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union’s commitment to our core mission,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer.  “The support of community organizations like Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union allows us to fulfill our mission of helping people with disabilities to enjoy meaningful lives. We also recognize the wide-ranging impact John and his employees have on our community as well.”

Photo Caption: l to r – Dave Samuelson, Chief Lending Officer, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Teena Chau, Chief Tellering Operations Officer, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union,  Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer, The Resource Center, Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer, The Resource Center, Cindy Hitchcock, Chief Executive Officer, Filling the Gap, Inc., and Chris Anderson, Marketing Manager/TRC Golf Classic Chair, The Resource Center.

The Resource Center is the Chautauqua County Chapter of The Arc New York, the largest provider of supports and services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in New York State.

The Resource Center took time recently to honor 12 employees for achieving certification through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals.

A celebration was held Wednesday at our Dunham Avenue building to honor those staff members who completed Direct Support Professional (DSP) III or Front Line Supervisor (FLS) certification during the fourth quarter of 2024:

• DSP-III: Natasha Buchanan, Karri Frank, June Hillman, Tabatha Stenstrom
• FLS: Laurie Berry, Amy Curtin, Becky Frederes, Lillian Gordon, Mike McCoy, Kim Overton, Jessica Ramirez, Phillip Sanborn

Mark Constantino and Amy Curtin

Joanne Bevan, Assistant Executive Director, welcomed people to the event. She noted that it takes a lot of time and work to achieve DSP-III and FLS certification. “We’re glad people see the importance of completing that.”

“The role of a DSP is substantial, complex, and the skills involved are countless,” said Mark Constantino, Director of Site-Based Services. “Not only do you assist people with intellectual and developmental disabilities to attain their full potential, your national certification says you complete your job offering high-quality support.”

“This is a true testament to you guys investing in your own careers,” Terri Johnson, Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, told the honorees.

Terri Johnson and Tabatha Stenstrom

“You make the world a better place for the people we’re here to support,” said Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer.

Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer, also congratulated the honorees and thanked them for their dedication.

Two members of TRC’s Board of Directors, John Felton and Donna Haenggi, attended the luncheon. John joined the Board last year, and he congratulated the honorees while applauding TRC’s commitment to its employees.

“The more I learn about TRC, the more impressed I am,” said John, adding he admires the way TRC supports its staff.

Mark Constantino and June Hillman

About 100 TRC employees have achieved NADSP certification. Many did so via a pilot project offered by NADSP and the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities. Through the pilot, staff work toward national certification by taking courses in the NADSP’s E-Badge Academy for free.

TRC is able to participate in the pilot because we’re a member of the Collaborative of NY, an agency composed of 11 chapters of The Arc New York.

Rhonda Howard’s efforts at bolstering DEI within The Resource Center were recognized recently when she received a regional award for her leadership in this area.

Rhonda, Director of Human Resources, received an IDEA (Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, Awareness) Award from Buffalo Business First during the magazine’s IDEA Awards event. She was one of 20 people from throughout the eight-county Western New York region who were chosen to be honored at Business First’s sixth annual IDEA Awards celebration.

The event was sponsored by M&T Bank and the law firm of Phillips Lytle, LLC. Phillips Lytle officials nominated Rhonda for the IDEA Award because of her commitment to fostering DEI at TRC.

“On a daily basis, she supports employees of all identities and backgrounds by spearheading positive trainings and initiatives and facilitating conversations at all levels,” said Amanda Lowe, Esq., who is a partner at Phillips Lytle.

“Rhonda oversees development of comprehensive and inclusive policies, building and expansion of community relationships and partnerships, and supports individuals to identify and attain their valued outcomes. True to The Resource Center’s core tenet, Rhonda is a passionate and dedicated ally and advocate for people of all abilities to have the supports they need to succeed.”

Rhonda was instrumental in establishing TRC’s DEI Committee and implementing the agency’s DEI Statement. She also is part of the team that is working to develop our organization’s DEI Strategic Plan.

Amanda said Rhonda also has participated in DEI discussions at the State level.

“She served on a DEI panel at the Human Resources Professional Conference for the disability provider community,” Amanda noted. “This panel provided valuable insights on the importance of DEI in the workplace. She was also selected as a regional representative for the New York State Community of Practice on DEI in Developmental Disabilities. This initiative sought participation from intellectual and developmental disability provider agencies, self-advocates and Care Coordination Organizations who are passionate about or want to contribute to DEI efforts.”

When asked by Business First for advice on how to make workplaces more inclusive, Rhonda responded, “Listen and take feedback. Have channels to communicate what works and what doesn’t work. Be open to creating safe spaces, engaging in conversations that may not be comfortable and where you may not know what the right thing is to say. If you get it wrong, own it, apologize and learn from it. Invite others who might not be at the table to help your organization or team solve challenges to create more opportunity.

“When we hear people, when we see people, when we treat people with respect and dignity, always, you create inclusivity.”

Resource Center officials were pleased that Howard was selected for an IDEA Award.

“Rhonda has been purposeful and dedicated in guiding our organization as we have enhanced our commitment to fostering, cultivating and preserving a culture of DEI,” said Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer. “It’s wonderful to see Rhonda’s efforts be recognized at the regional level through this award.”

She becomes the third TRC employee to receive an IDEA Award. In 2021, Beth Jermain, Support Option Administrator, and Jessica Smith, Director of Corporate Compliance and Auditing, were honored for supporting people with developmental disabilities to enjoy self-directed lives.

Britnie Barmore, Joan Scalise and Nancy Scott recently were honored with The Resource Center’s top staff awards for 2024.

Britnie, who has worked for TRC since 2014, received the Norma J. Smith Award for excellence in providing direct supports to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. She was honored for her efforts in supporting people to enjoy self-directed lives. Britnie has supported people through major developments in their lives, particularly in learning about their early years and making connections with long-lost family members.

“She knows the people she supports and is able to help each person live a fulfilled life,” said a co-worker, Deseree Johnson, who added that Britnie is a fierce advocate for the people she supports people in obtaining the services they need. “This isn’t just a job to her; this is part of her life.”

The award was created in memory of the late Norma Smith, who worked as a direct support professional at The Resource Center from 1983 to 1991. The honor recognizes excellence exhibited by an employee in supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Mark Constantino, Director of Site-Based Services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, presents the Norma J. Smith Award to Britnie Barmore. Looking on are Denise Jones, TRC’s Chief Executive Officer, and Melissa Rasmussen, a longtime TRC employee who is Norma Smith’s daughter.

Joan, who joined The Resource Center in 1987, received the Joseph Trusso Jr. Employee of the Year Award. As Assistant Director of Finance with responsibility over agency budgets, Joan has done a good job supporting personnel from throughout the organization develop their departmental budgets, and she is adept at effectively explaining financial matters in a way that non-financial people can understand, according to Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer.

“Her work alone is tremendously impactful for agency operations, but also to be recognized is her dedication to TRC mission,” said Michele Albaugh, Director of Staff Training & Development and Agency Facilitation. “She doesn’t forget that the work she does directly impacts service recipients in all departments of the agency.”

The award is named in memory of the late Joe Trusso, who served on The Resource Center’s board of directors for 38 years and was a strong advocate for TRC employees and people with disabilities.

Joan Scalise holds her Employee of the Year Award while posing with, from left, Resa Rosen-Murray, Donna Trusso, Denise Jones, TRC’s Chief Executive Officer, and Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer. Resa and Donna, both longtime TRC employees, are relatives of the award’s namesake, Joe Trusso.

Nancy, who has worked at The Resource Center since 2019, received the Allied Industries Employee of the Year Award. She was honored for the way she performs her job as a Production Lead at TRC’s Jamestown manufacturing facility.

“Nancy has the respect and admiration of her peers, management and our customers. She is reliable, efficient, and knowledgeable about everything in the pack department,” said Dan Micek, Production Superintendent. “Nancy leads by example with a can-do attitude, she is always looking for ways to improve the department.  She is friendly and easy to approach. She is a team player, she is always helpful and the go-to person for her co-workers and management when issues arise.”

The three were honored during The Resource Center’s 40^th annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon, which was held at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.

Nancy Scott holds her Allied Industries Employee of the Year Award while posing with, from left, Dan Micek, Production Superintendent; Dr. Dawn Columbare, Vice Chair of TRC’s Board of Directors; Ashley Winship, Director of Business Operations; and Nick Bell, Director of Allied Production Operations.

Other employees nominated for the Smith, Trusso or Allied awards were Jason Basile, Courtney Chapman, Kristen Farmer, Leslie Fickling, Briana Green, Jodie Johnson, Joshua Johnson, Kaitlin Kell, Matthew Makuch, Michael McCoy, Charles Nobbs, Shanon Odebralski, Matthew Olson, William Paul, Kreana Peru, Sara Skinner, Cheryl Stow, Ashlee Terry, Stephanie Thomas, and Terry Williams.

Members of the awards selection committee were Kevin Anderson, Victoria Bardo, Bonnie DeJoy, Verna Dickinson, Leslie DiNapoli, Marcos Figueroa, Deseree Johnson, Melissa Rasmussen, Wendy Stimson, Donna Trusso, and Jane Young.