The achievements of people with disabilities and the efforts of those who support them will be showcased when The Resource Center holds its 37^th Ability Awareness Awards Celebration on Tuesday, November 3.

The luncheon will be held at The White Inn in Fredonia from 11:30 to 1:00.

The awards recognize people with disabilities who have made significant accomplishments, as well as area residents and businesses that have improved the lives of people with disabilities. This year’s award recipients are:

• Henry Wesley Advocate of the Year – Raquel Carrion
• Business/Employer of the Year – UPMC Chautauqua
• Community Partnership Award – Jake and Abi Landean of 3 Lakes Cafe
• Bruce Walford Community Service Award – Gateways PROS Program
• Health Provider of the Year – Ryan Rice, PTA
• Carl Cappa Humanitarian of the Year – Gregg Bender
• Edwin Roth Mental Health Award – Trish McClennan
• Outstanding Achievement Award – Josh Steffen
• Personal Success Award – Jim Haenggi
• Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year – Bruce Main
• Special Event Volunteers of the Year – Ray Graf and D.J. Wilson

In addition, Donna Oyer will receive an award for being honored by New York State Industries for the Disabled. NYSID is a non-profit organization that advances employment opportunities for people with disabilities and veterans by supporting The Resource Center and other rehabilitation agencies in obtaining government contracts. NYSID selected Oyer for recognition through its annual Outstanding Performance Award Program.

Members of The Resource Center, people with disabilities, TRC staff and volunteers, and the general public are invited to attend the Ability Awareness Awards Celebration. The event is being sponsored by TRC, Fenton, Kinetic, and Southern Chautauqua Federal Credit Union.

The cost to attend the luncheon is $35. Reservations are due by October 21. For more information, phone 716-661-1477 or email vicky.bardo@fillingthegap.net.

Click here to make a donation in honor of one of the award recipients. You also can mail a check to The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701.Donations will be directed to The Resource Center’s TRC Excellence Awards Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.

Some of last year’s award recipients pose together.

Lake Shore Bank announced that it has renewed an agreement to serve as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic for three more years.

The TRC Golf Classic is the major annual fund-raising event for 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.

Lake Shore Bank has sponsored the TRC Golf Classic every year since the tournament began in 1997, and since 2012 has been the event’s presenting sponsor.  One of the most successful one-day charity golf tournaments in Southwestern New York, the TRC Golf Classic has netted more than $2 million since it began.

“Lake Shore Bank has been a proud supporter of The Resource Center for the past 30 years,” said Kim Liddell, President, CEO & Director, Lake Shore Bank. “We are honored to support an organization that makes such a meaningful and lasting difference throughout Chautauqua County.”

“On behalf of The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, we are deeply grateful to Lake Shore Bank for its continued commitment as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic,” said Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer of The Resource Center. “The success of our events depends on the generosity and support of our local business community, and Lake Shore Bank has been one of our most valued corporate partners for the past 30 years. Their longstanding support helps us advance our mission of empowering people with disabilities to live meaningful and fulfilling lives.”

“It is always a joy to see so many players return year after year to support and participate in this golf tournament. We are incredibly grateful for the commitment of our sponsors, several of whom have been with us for all 30 years,” stated Cindy Hitchcock, CEO, Filling the Gap Inc. “Having Lake Shore Bank serve as our Tournament Sponsor since 2012 speaks volumes about the quality of the tournament and the dedication of the committee. Their partnership, along with the support of all our sponsors and participants, has helped the Filling the Gap contribute more than $2 million to TRC. These contributions have enabled Filling the Gap to provide numerous grants each year, helping TRC continue to fulfill its mission and make a meaningful difference in our community.”

“We are grateful to Lake Shore Bank for once again committing to serve as the presenting sponsor of the next three TRC Golf Classics. Lake Shore Bank has been a major supporter of this event for 30 years and, over the past 15 years as presenting sponsor, has contributed $225,000. Through this continued commitment, Lake Shore Bank once again demonstrates its dedication to being an outstanding community partner. We sincerely thank Kim Liddell and the wonderful team at Lake Shore Bank for their generous and ongoing support of The Resource Center and the people we serve,” said Chris Anderson, Chair of the TRC Golf Classic.

For more information or to sponsor the TRC Golf Classic, please visit www.trcgolfclassic.com.

Lakeshore_sponsor_26:  l to r –Gregg Bender, TRC Golf Classic Chair Emeritus; Chris Anderson, TRC Golf Classic Chair; Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer of The Resource Center; Adam Dimitri, Vice President of Retail Banking, Lake Shore Bank; and Amy Harding, Vice President, Regional Sales Officer, Lake Shore Bank.

The Resource Center held its annual Everyday Heroes Celebration on September 14, honoring some of its exemplary staff during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.

The event, held at TRC’s administrative offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron, honored six people as Everyday Heroes as well as 26 others who received Honorable Mention. Here is some information about this year’s Everyday Heroes:

Joseph Acevedo Colon supports people in one of TRC’s homes. Joseph works well with all the residents and involves them in household chores such as taking out the trash or setting the table. He works extra shifts to ensure there are enough staff.

Betsy Butlak-Teboe is a Community Coach who supports people in building their work-readiness skills. She recently achieved all tiers of her National Alliance for Direct Support Professionals certification and participated in a months-long project with people from other agencies.

Michael Glover works in a TRC home. Co-workers praised Michael for his willingness to assist with any task and flex his shifts. He interacts well with the residents and has the ability to brighten their mood or calm them when they are stressed.

Tracie Howard works in one of TRC’s homes. She treats residents with dignity, respect, patience, and kindness. Working third shift, Tracie ensures the home is safe, comfortable and ready for when residents wake up to start their day.

Carlos Perez Torres works in TRC’s Day Habilitation Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. Described as upbeat and friendly, his demeanor and approach de-escalate stressful situations. Carlos makes the people he supports feel special and transforms difficult tasks into fun activities.

Sunn Ryder is a Medical Aide in one of TRC’s homes. In addition to ensuring residents attend scheduled appointments, Sunn completes the morning medication pass so there will be enough other staff available to support residents in getting ready for the day. He also works extra shifts.

Pictured after receiving their Everyday Hero Awards are, from left, Carlos Perez Torres, Sunn Ryder, Betsy Butlak-Teboe, and Michael Glover.

Several members of TRC’s Executive Management Team gave remarks.

Denise Jones, Chief Executive Officer, told honorees that their efforts do not go unnoticed.

“We see you,” Denise said. “We see the days when you come to work tired but somehow find the patience, compassion, humor, and energy that someone else needs from you. We see the times when you stay a little longer, step in to help, encourage a co-worker, or simply do more because you know someone is counting on you.”

Denise added, “There are people whose lives are better because you chose this work — and because you continue to choose it every day.”

Terri Johnson, Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, praised the honorees for their commitment to providing direct supports.

“The work you all do is not for everyone,” Terri said. “Not just anyone can do it. And not everyone can excel at it. But you are all excelling at it!”

She added that while it can be difficult to measure an employee’s level of success when talking about making a difference in people’s lives, the honorees should know that the fact their co-workers nominated them to be an Everyday Hero indicates the high quality of the supports they provide.

Kim Dziubkowski, Director of Site-Based Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services, thanked the honorees for their efforts.

“You help people achieve goals, build independence, stay connected to their communities, and live lives that are meaningful to them,” Kim said. “You advocate, encourage, listen, problem-solve, and sometimes simply sit beside someone when that is what they need most. And much of what you do happens without recognition or applause.”

Kim added, “You don’t need a cape to be a hero. Sometimes being a hero simply means being there for someone, day after day.”

Remarks also were given by State Assemblyman Andrew Molitor and Chautauqua County Legislator Dalton Anthony, who attended the event on behalf of Senator George Borrello. Each Everyday Hero received certificates from Senator Borrello and Assemblyman Molitor.

The staff members who received Honorable Mention were Claribel Castiore Rosa, Cathryn Collazo, Elizabeth Duvall, Almedia Erhard, Stacey Fardink, Edwin Figueroa, Becky Frary, Amanda Frye, Monica Gassman, Deborah Glover, Iesha Holland, Tralisha Holloway, Payton Horton, Jessica Jones, Kelli Leonard, Sommer Levandoske, Hunter Meabon, Christina Miller, Mary Jane Mizner, Victoria Moody, Britney Nieves, Nefretiti Ramos, Lena Rison, Nancy Simmons, Mikayla Sliter, and Amanda Trout.

Pictured from left are those employees who received Honorable Mention and were able to attend the Everyday Heroes Celebration: Deborah Glover, Mikayla Sliter, Nefretiti Ramos, Claribel Castiore Rosa, Payton Horton, Kelli Leonard, Mary Jane Mizner, Stacey Fardink, Tralisha Holloway, Nancy Simmons, and Jessica Jones.

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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