Dr. Dawn Columbare was re-elected the chair of The Resource Center’s Board of Directors during the agency’s General Membership Meeting, held at TRC’s administrative office building on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

Also re-elected as officers for the Board’s 2026-27 term were Dr. Todd Jacobson, vice chair; Lisa Goodell, secretary; and Marie Carrubba, Esq., treasurer.

Elected to two-year Board terms were John Felton, Robert Goold, Gwen Loomis, Barbara Stewart, and Dan Tota.  Felton, Goold and Stewart were re-elected to their Board seats. Loomis, retired Controller at People Inc., and Tota, Director of Edgewood Communities at Lutheran, are joining TRC’s Board for the first time.

Elected to the nominating committee for The Resource Center’s 2027 election were Kathy Constantino, Dr. Kathleen Gradel, Dr. Jessica Gugino, Rebecca Hamlet Kapple, and Amy Pembridge.

In her report to the membership, Dawn said The Resource Center’s accomplishments in the past year included experiencing an increase in its number of employees as well as an increase in the number of orders from the federal government within Allied Industries, TRC’s manufacturing division.

In her treasurer’s report, Marie noted that The Resource Center ended 2025 with a positive financial result that included no audit adjustments. This marked the 11th straight year this has occurred.

In her report, Chief Executive Officer Denise Jones talked about the history of the disability rights movement in New York State. She discussed the creation of The Arc New York in 1949, which occurred as a result of a New York City mother placing a newspaper ad to see if other families were interested in starting a daytime nursery to care for their children with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The Resource Center, founded in 1958, is the Chautauqua County chapter of The Arc NY.

The meeting began with a presentation about changes The Resource Center has made to its training program for direct support professionals, who make up the majority of TRC’s workforce. Michele Albaugh, Director of Staff Learning and Development, said the changes give new employees a more realistic perspective of the tasks they’ll be performing in supporting people with disabilities. As part of the new curriculum, TRC will create a classroom containing a kitchenette, a dining area, a bedroom, a bathroom, and laundry facilities.

The meeting was the final one as a board member for Timothy Adam and Donna Haenggi. Donna served on the Board from 2013 to 2019 and again from 2020 to 2026. Tim had served on the Board since 2020.

The Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization that supports people with disabilities and other challenges in Chautauqua County. For more information, phone 716-483-2344.

Pictured from left are Timothy Adam; Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer; Donna Haenggi; and Dr. Dawn Columbare, Board Chair. The Annual Meeting was the last one as Board members for Donna and Tim. In appreciation for their years of volunteer service, they were presented with gifts from Denise and Dawn on behalf of the entire TRC organization.

Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union (SCFCU) recently announced it had made a $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. This is SCFCU’s third consecutive yearly contribution of $15,000.

As a corporate sponsor, SCFCU receives 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, Laurel Memorial Run/Walk, ReelAbilities Film Festival, and Mark Pacheco WOW Fund Lip Sync Battle.

“The Resource Center makes a tremendous difference in our community by helping people with disabilities live fuller, more independent lives,” said John Felton, Chief Executive Officer of Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union. “Their work strengthens both the human condition and the local economy through the opportunities they create for individuals and families. SCFCU is proud to support an organization that has such a meaningful and lasting impact on Chautauqua County.”
“On behalf of all those supported by The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., I would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union for its continued sponsorship and support,” said Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer of The Resource Center. “The generosity of local organizations such as Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union plays an important role in helping us provide opportunities and resources that enable people with disabilities to live fulfilling and meaningful lives. We are also extremely thankful for John and his team and all they contribute to making our community a stronger place.”

Left to right– John Felton, Chief Executive Officer, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Heather Kerr, Chief Human Resources Officer, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, Maddison Condon, Lakewood Lead Teller, Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union, and Kelly Dimitri, Chief Operating Officer, The Resource Center.

To effectively manage all phases of the day-to-day operation of his/her assigned facilities.  Maintain and/or enhance the provision of quality services to individuals receiving services by monitoring and implementing facility regulations, policies and procedures, and standards of good practice.  Primary function is to coordinate all services to meet individual needs of individuals on assigned caseload, including a willingness and ability to look at new ideas and philosophies to create a quality of programming for each individual.   In addition, is responsible for ensuring adherence to quality assurance standards within homes.

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Serves as Agency’s foremost expert in the area of Admissions, Benefits and Entitlements, with primary focus on Residential Individuals, but will provide assistance to other departments upon request.  Serves as the Agency liaison with Government agencies that administer entitlement programs to ensure that the individuals we serve receive the appropriate entitlements and that the Agency receives the appropriate reimbursement for all services provided.  Ensures compliance with all OPWDD, SSA, DSS, Medicaid and Medicare rules and regulations in regard to benefits.  Works in close collaboration with Finance department staff to resolve billing and denial issues. Coordinates all admissions for the Residential sites.

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The STARS Staff Assistance Specialist serves as a member of a support team who is charged with the responsibility of providing assistance to a caseload of newly hired or existing TRC employees. In conjunction with the Project Manager, implements and integrates the comprehensive STARS model with TRC employees, incorporating healthcare needs with basic needs, mental wellness, family stability, and employment. Taking a proactive approach, consults with, informs, and educates employees on available options and resources both within and outside of The Resource Center in an effort to ensure greater access to services, increase wellness and self-management, improve job performance and retention, and reduce healthcare costs.

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Responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of Community Based Services. Provides supervision and assistance to Coaching staff and ensures implementation of individualized programming for each individual who is supported in Community Based Services. Assists the Habilitation Specialists in the development, monitoring and updates of Staff Action plans.

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To provide, monitor and supervise functional, continuous and meaningful active treatment for assigned individuals within the Resource Center’s Residential settings. (ICF- Intermediate Care Facilities and IRA-Individual Residential Alternative) in both the Day Services and Residential settings.  Serves as the primary advocate for assigned individuals; acts as the facilitator of the Interdisciplinary Team to integrate, coordinate, implement, monitor and adjust, as needed, each individual’s plan; to ensure that program plans are implemented consistently in both settings and enable individuals to reach their maximum level of independence; by regulation, to be responsible for all aspects of programming, general welfare, quality of life and well-being for individuals on assigned caseload.

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Responsible for the day-to-day operation and management of the residence.  Provides supervision and assistance to residence staff and ensures implementation of individualized programming for each individual who resides at the residence.  Assists the Residence Coordinator in the development, monitoring and updates of residential habilitation plans.   Provides direct input in the assessment, as well as, the design and implementation of individual behavior management programs.

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To partner with persons receiving supports to obtain and maintain community employment by developing, locating, and facilitating employment options with community employers.  To work with staff, job seekers, families, and employers to effect appropriate matches between job seekers and available jobs.  To provide outreach and education to the business community regarding TRC, individuals with disabilities, and disability issues in general.  In addition, supporting the person with their habilitation planning focusing on progression towards each person reaching maximum independence in employment and life goals.

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Able to effectively perform work in the following trades: electricity, carpentry, plumbing, and general maintenance with a high degree of proficiency.

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