Pictured are The Resource Center employees in charge of implementing the STARS Wellness Program (from left, Heather Courtney, Donna Trusso and Jon DeSantis).

The Resource Center’s employee wellness program has again earned national accolades.

For the fifth straight year, The Resource Center was named one of the “Healthiest 100 Workplaces in America” by Springbuk, a health analytics company that has conducted the annual Healthiest Employers competition since 2009.  The Resource Center came in 55^th place.

The Healthiest Workplaces in America program honors people-first organizations that prioritize the well-being of their employees.  These Healthiest 100 companies were recognized because of their commitment to workplace wellness and their exceptional health and benefits offerings.  They were chosen out of the national pool of applicants from all regions, size categories and industries.  Award applicants were evaluated across six categories: vision, culture/engagement, learning, expertise, metrics, and technology.

The Resource Center was eligible for the Healthiest 100 Workplaces competition because TRC came in first place in a regional employer wellness competition last spring.

The key to The Resource Center’s inclusion as one of the country’s healthiest workplaces is its STARS employee wellness program.  STARS assesses each person along five life dimensions: basic needs, physical health, mental wellness, family/social relationships, and employment issues.  STARS participants meet with a certified health coach to develop and monitor a personalized wellness plan.  STARS members receive discounts on their health care costs and wellness activities, and they can earn incentive points they may redeem for prizes.  Participation in the STARS program is voluntary.  Many of the wellness activities are open to all TRC employees, not just those who are enrolled in STARS.

“The STARS Wellness Program is thrilled to have received recognition for our wellness initiatives from a local to national level,” said Donna Trusso, the STARS program manager.  “We strive to make improvements on a continual basis.  It is very meaningful to witness the increased involvement and engagement among staff who credit the program for having a positive impact on our work environment.  Healthy employees are happy employees.”

TRC officials were glad The Resource Center again is ranked among the nation’s 100 healthiest workplaces and credited the work done by the STARS team.

“The Resource Center’s STARS team is an amazing group of individuals who lead the agency’s wellness initiatives every day,” said Heather C. Brown, assistant executive director for program operations.  “They engage staff in positive ways to achieve results.  They take the time to develop individual plans and always go the extra mile.  We are most proud of how STARS focuses on the whole person and family, not just physical health but all social determinants of health and wellness.”

The Resource Center’s 2021 Membership Cards are available, offering discounts at dozens of local businesses as a way of thanking people for demonstrating support for those with disabilities through a financial contribution.

Here’s some background information that explains Membership:

• The Resource Center is the Chautauqua County Chapter of The Arc New York.
• The Arc New York is an organization that advocates and provides support and services to people with disabilities.
• Every county in New York State has an organization that is similar to The Resource Center, and is a chapter of The Arc NY.
• Each of these county chapters of The Arc NY encourages people to become members of the organization.
• Membership is open to anyone 18 and older who believes in the importance of supporting people with disabilities to enjoy meaningful, satisfying lives.
• People who wish to become a Member of an Arc New York chapter must pay annual Membership Dues. (At The Resource Center, Membership Dues are $10 per year, or $5 for a person with a disability.)
• When someone becomes a Member of any county chapter of The Arc New York, they also become a member of both The Arc NY and The Arc of the United States, an organization that advocates for people with disabilities and their families at the national level.
• Membership is important! The more members we have, the stronger our collective voice becomes when we advocate on behalf of people with disabilities.  Currently, The Resource Center and our fellow Arc NY chapters across New York State have been encouraging lawmakers to place people with disabilities near the front of the line when deciding when people are eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine.

Last year, The Resource Center had 1,762 members.  This year, we have set a goal of reaching 2,500 members.  Though that may seem like a big number, we could easily get there if the family members of every person we support decided to become a member.

As a thank-you for becoming a member, The Resource Center offers a TRC Membership Card that entitles people to discounts at dozens of local businesses: Amherst Exterminators/Comfort Pest Control; Applebee’s; Arby’s; Ashville General Store; Bag & String Wine Merchants; The Basket Company; Chautauqua Marina; Circle Mechanical; D&F Auto; Domus Fare Restaurant; Elite Kreations; Enterprise Rent-A-Car; Escape Rooms Jamestown; Everyday’s Super True Value; Flowers by Anthony; Jamestown Bowling Company; Jamestown Cycle Shop; Kara Bemis Yoga; Lakeview Gardens; Lakewood Apothecary; Lander’s Men’s Store; Madenford Spring & Auto; The Main Landing Restaurant; National Car Rental; Orkin Pest & Termite Control; Rookie’s on the Lake; RydersCup Coffee; St. Elmo’s Spa; Sandee’s Bakery; Stella: A Kitchen & Bar; Surroundings Art Gallery & Frame Shop; Top Shop; and The Resource Center.  The discounts can be used over and over throughout the year.

Click here to see the full list of Membership discounts.

Click here to pay your Membership Dues.  On that donation page, you also can sign up adult members of your household as Members of TRC.  Or, you can send a check to The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701, and write “membership” on the memo line.  For more information (including learning how your business can become part of TRC’s discount program), or to have a membership form sent to you, phone Steve Waterson, Community Relations Director, at (716) 661-4735.

 

After a one-year absence, The Resource Center again sits atop the list of the region’s healthiest employers.

The Resource Center recently was named the healthiest employer in Western New York among large businesses (those employing more than 500 people) in Buffalo Business First magazine’s annual competition.  This marked the fourth time in five years The Resource Center has claimed the title in its division.  TRC also won in 2016, 2017 and 2018, and the agency has been a finalist in the two years (2015 and 2019) it didn’t come in first place.

The honor was announced during a virtual celebration sponsored by Independent Health, Wegmans, Springbuk, and Walsh Duffield.  A total of 19 finalists vied for the top spots in three categories: small (businesses with two to 175 employees); medium (176-499 employees); and large.

“Company leadership decided years ago that creating energy and excitement about health starts with a very visible wellness program,” Michelle Cioci Adams, Business First’s Associate Editor, said in announcing TRC’s victory.  “Onsite certified coaches help employees work through stress and reach their healthy goals, and weight-watch programs are a part of the education component.”

Adams was referring to The Resource Center’s STARS employee wellness program.  In place since 2013, the program provides a variety of wellness options for TRC employees.

Donna Trusso, STARS Project Manager, said that despite TRC’s past success in the Healthiest Employers competition, she did not think The Resource Center would win this year.

“I was surprised.  I really wasn’t getting my hopes up,” she said of her reaction upon hearing TRC announced as the winner.  “The competition was pretty great.”  All companies operating in the eight-county region were eligible to enter the Healthiest Employers competition.  The other finalists among large businesses were AAA Western & Central New York; Beechwood Homes; BlueCross BlueShield of Western New York; Community Services for Every1; Fresenius Kabi USA; and Reid Petroleum.

Donna believes the key to TRC’s success in the Healthiest Employers competition is the fact The Resource Center operates its own program dedicated to employee wellness, whereas most other companies use an external vendor to operate their corporate wellness programs.

“That speaks volumes, I think, for The Resource Center and the importance they place on health and wellness by investing in a full-time program,” she said.

Donna said another factor that likely played well in the judges’ minds is that she and her team have established collaborations with other organizations locally and regionally.  These include Chautauqua Health Network, Hope Chautauqua Bright Spots, Live Well Western New York, Population Health Collaborative, Prevention Works, Roswell Park, Tobacco-Free Chautauqua Cattaraugus Allegany.  In addition, TRC hosts several American Red Cross blood drives each year.

She noted that employees enrolled in the STARS program do well in terms of undergoing preventive screenings and managing their medical conditions.  Last year TRC employees realized improvement regarding blood pressure and cholesterol levels.  Tobacco use declined, physical activity increased and there was a decrease in the number of emergency room claims, Donna said.  Weight risk decreased, but the number of overweight employees remains higher than average, she said.

While Donna was surprised TRC won the competition, the other members of the STARS wellness team were not

“This win was exciting for me,” said Jon DeSantis.  “It’s exciting we’re able to say we were selected the healthiest employer in the region.”

“I expected us to win,” said Heather Courtney, who like Jon is a certified wellness coach.  She said TRC employees are becoming more engaged in the agency’s wellness program, and as people’s health improves, the STARS program also gets better.

“People are taking more control of what they can control,” Heather said of TRC employees’ commitment to personal wellness.  She said more employees are realizing that achieving their wellness goals takes time, and they appreciate the small accomplishments along the way.  “It takes away that overwhelming feeling they have to tackle it all at once.”

TRC’s STARS wellness program features a personalized wellness plan based on a person’s self-reported satisfaction level along five life domains.  STARS offers lunch-and-learn education and exercise get-togethers, discounts on health insurance premiums and weight-loss programs, and employees can participate in several group and individual challenges throughout the year.  Through participation in those challenges and other activities, STARS enrollees earn incentive points that can be redeemed for prizes.  Though only employees who participate in TRC’s health plan are eligible to enroll in STARS, The Resource Center allows all employees to undergo health coaching with Heather and Jon.

STARS participants annually undergo a biometric blood analysis.  While individual results are confidential and shared only with the employee, the STARS team receives a report summarizing the combined results of everyone who undergoes the testing.  Those data enable the STARS team to assess how well STARS enrollees are performing as a group, and the results help form the program’s goals for the coming year.

Having again been named one of Western New York’s Healthiest Employers, The Resource Center is automatically entered into the national Healthiest Employers competition.  Last year TRC was ranked the 41^st healthiest workplace in America.  Donna noted TRC’s scores in several categories of the WNY Healthiest Employers competition were higher than in the previous year, and she expressed hope this will result in TRC improving its ranking on the national stage.

Wherever TRC ends up being ranked in the national competition, Donna is optimistic about the future of the STARS program.  Goals for the coming year include bringing wellness initiatives into TRC’s group homes in order to improve the health of people with disabilities who live in the homes.  She credits Heather, Jon and the other members of TRC’s staff assistance program for the success of TRC’s wellness program.

“This is a phenomenal team, and that’s what’s moving it forward,” said Trusso.  It was a sentiment shared by The Resource Center’s management.

“We are so proud of our wellness team and all TRC team members overall as we continue on this journey to wellness,” said Heather C. Brown, Assistant Executive Director, who oversees all of TRC’s health services.

Donna also noted the accomplishment of the Jamestown Board of Public Utilities, which was named the Healthiest Employer among small businesses.  The BPU has earned first place three years in a row.

TRC self-advocates who passed away last year will be remembered at our annual William Haenggi Celebration of Life on Friday, January 29.

The event will honor people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who received Residential supports from The Resource Center and who died between October 1, 2019, and December 31, 2020.

Because of the pandemic, the Celebration of Life will be a virtual event.   It will begin at 6:00 p.m. and include a slideshow containing photos and personal information about each of the people being remembered.  The Reverend James D. Witherington Jr., M.Div., Chaplain at Chautauqua Hospice and Palliative Care, will share some remarks.

People who would like to attend the Celebration of Life should RSVP by Monday, January 25, by phoning Renae Thayer at (716) 661-1441 to obtain the login information for the Zoom event.

The Celebration of Life is named in memory of William Haenggi.  Bill was a longtime member of TRC’s Board of Directors who passed away in 2018.  As the General Manager of Sunset Hill Cemetery in Lakewood for many years, Bill was instrumental in getting burial plots donated for use by self-advocates who did not have funds for a plot.

Here are the people who will be honored at the Celebration of Life:

Nancy B.
Joseph B.
Ralph C.
Robert F.
Sharon H.
Ruth H.
Ryan J.
Harry K.
Catherine K.
Paul P.
Christopher S.
Donald T.

Click here to make a donation to the William Haenggi Celebration of Life Fund in memory of someone who has passed.  Money from this fund is used to pay the funeral costs of people with disabilities who do not have the financial resources to cover such expenses.

TRC Community Health Center’s commitment to the health of its patients has earned the Jamestown medical provider recognition from the New York State Department of Health.

TRC Community Health Center’s Primary Care Office was recently recognized as a New York State Patient-Centered Medical Home (PCMH). Each year since 2011, The Resource Center has been recognized as a Patient-Centered Medical Home under the National Committee for Quality Assurance, a non-profit organization dedicated to improving health care quality. New York State’s PCMH recognition has additional requirements that support federal initiatives focused on improved patient care, staff satisfaction and quality, while also reducing health care costs.

“Recognition as a PCMH demonstrates that TRC Community Health Center provides the highest level of patient care, and quality improvement and a patient-centered approach to care that results in patients that are happier and healthier,” said Stephen Riczker, Practice Manager.

Primary care providers earn PCMH recognition by using evidence-based, patient-centered processes that focus on highly coordinated care and long‐term, clinician-patient relationships. The PCMH recognition covers The Resource Center and members of its clinical team within TRC Community Health Center’s Primary Care Office.

“We are pleased to have such an outstanding team in the primary care office at TRC Community Health Center,” said Heather C. Brown, Assistant Executive Director. “Recognition from New York State is just another example of their hard work, commitment and overall dedication to this community and the patients they see every day.”

Heather and Steve praised the efforts of Jason Carmen, Clinical Revenue Cycle Administrator, and Allison Rounds, Population Health Manager, in guiding TRC through the process of submitting information for the PCMH certification review.

The NCQA Patient-Centered Medical Home is a model of primary care that combines teamwork and information technology to improve care, improve patients’ experience of care and reduce costs. Medical homes foster ongoing partnerships between patients and their personal clinicians, instead of approaching care as the sum of episodic office visits. Each patient’s care is overseen by clinician-led care teams that coordinate treatment across the health care system. Research shows medical homes can lead to higher quality and lower costs, and can improve patient and provider reported experiences of care.

To earn recognition, The Resource Center demonstrated the ability to meet the program’s key elements, embodying characteristics of the medical home. NCQA standards aligned with the joint principles of the Patient-Centered Medical Home established with the American College of Physicians, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Osteopathic Association.

TRC Community Health Center is located at 890 East Second Street. The practice provides primary medical care to people of all ages. For information or to schedule an appointment, phone (716) 661-1447.

On Giving Tuesday, make a gift to help people with special needs stay connected during the pandemic!

December 1 is “Giving Tuesday,” a day when people all over the world are encouraged to make donations to support worthwhile causes. This year, The Resource and the “Dream On” Kathy Seastedt Memorial Fund are focused on raising money to assist people with disabilities whose lives have been turned upside down because of the pandemic.

COVID has forced many businesses, including The Resource Center, to change the way they operate.  And this has created challenges and hardships for people with disabling conditions:

• When our Day Programs were closed in the spring, people with intellectual disabilities lost contact with their friends and support staff.
• When state and federal guidelines dictated we couldn’t let families visit their loved ones living in our homes, it was devastating for the people we support and their families.
• When the initial surge in COVID cases forced us to restrict people coming into our health and counseling clinics, people were at risk of not receiving needed supports. In addition, fear of leaving their homes because of the virus has kept some people from coming to our offices.

In all of these cases, technology helped people stay connected. People used iPads, tablets and other devices to contact friends and family, or to attend counseling and medical appointments remotely via tele-health.  While some people already had technology they could utilize to stay connected, others did not. In those instances, our “Dream On” Kathy Seastedt Memorial Fund has stepped in to provide money for people to buy iPads and other devices.

The Dream On Fund is named in memory of Kathy Seastedt.  She was a 25-year employee of The Resource Center when she passed away unexpectedly in 2008. Kathy’s deep, abiding passion to support people with disabilities inspired us to rename our Community Support Fund in her memory. The fund provides money to people with disabilities who have urgent needs.

Often, a relatively small amount of money can make a big difference in someone’s life. In the case of helping people to acquire technology during the pandemic, the average amount of money provided by the Dream On Fund has been $244.

With our community experiencing another surge in positive COVID cases that threatens to restrict our operations, in the coming weeks and months we will need to provide additional technology to people with disabilities. This includes people living in our homes, as well as folks who live on their own in the community or with their familiesOn Giving Tuesday, please consider making a donation to our “Dream On” Kathy Seastedt Memorial Fund at Filling the Gap, Inc. (Filling the Gap raises money to support The Resource Center’s mission.) Your gift will make a real difference in the lives of people with disabilities as they adapt to the changes brought by the pandemic. Click here to make a donation. Or you can mail a donation to Filling the Gap, 92 Fairmount Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701, and write “Dream On Fund” on the memo line.

Thank you! Your support will enable people with disabilities to keep from feeling isolated during the pandemic.

(NOTE – This event has already taken place. Click here to watch the video.)

Everyone is invited to join our virtual celebration when we present the 32nd annual Ability Awareness Awards on Friday, November 20.

Because of the pandemic, we couldn’t old a large, in-person celebration this year to honor this year’s award recipients. Instead, the awards were presented over the course of five small luncheons. Those events were recorded and will be shared at the virtual celebration, which will tale place at 6:00 p.m. via a Zoom videoconference. To register to attend the event and receive the access info to the Zoom meeting, click here or phone Victoria Trass Bardo at (716) 661-1477.

Here is a rundown of this year’s honorees:

Can Kings – Employer of the Year
Can Kings is a can and bottle redemption business with locations in Fredonia and Silver Creek. The Resource Center’s Supported Employment Program began partnering with Can Kings several years ago, with Can Kings performing vocational assessments of people with disabilities who were seeking employment. One of those assessments resulted in a job offer, and that person has been successfully employed since June 2018.

During COVID, Can Kings owner Marcus Promber has been accommodating and understanding regarding this employee, who initially was leery about coming to work. Marcus gave the person as much time off as he needed, then readily accepted the employee back once he felt comfortable returning to work.

Marcus has expressed interested in utilizing Can Kings for additional vocational assessments and hiring more people with disabilities from The Resource Center.

In accepting the award, he praised the work ethic of his employee from TRC, whose name is Donald.

“I can’t say enough about him as a worker. He’s the first one out the door to help customers, and he’s the one I point out to people, `That’s how it should be done,’” Marcus said. “Diligent, kind; I mean, I can’t say enough about him.  It’s more his award than anything.”

Peter Carlo – Volunteer of the Year
Because of the pandemic, there haven’t been a lot of opportunities for people to volunteer at The Resource Center. But the pandemic hasn’t stopped Pete and his one-man mission of spreading the word about TRC.

Pete is a Korean War veteran who loves his hometown of Jamestown and works hard to improve the community.  He has donated more than 300 American flags to local organizations. He also has a fondness for The Resource Center, as his daughters both worked for TRC. Pete believes the community at large doesn’t know enough about The Resource Center, and he has taken it upon himself to change that. For the past few years, everywhere Pete goes – restaurants, veterans events, medical appointments, political gatherings, or ceremonies at which he donates American flags – he carries with him a supply of writing pens that have The Resource Center’s name on them. Outgoing and eager to meet folks he doesn’t know, Pete often uses the pens to strike up a conversation and ask people if they’re familiar with TRC.

True to form, after accepting his award, Carlo began distributing pens to those in attendance. “This is what it’s all about: tell the people what The Resource Center is all about,” he said. “I want them to know that they’re here in Jamestown, they’re here to help you. But they can’t help you if you don’t ask for help.”

Mary Davis – NYSID Outstanding Performer
Mary was honored for having been selected by NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled) for recognition in its annual Outstanding Performer Program. NYSID honored Davis for her job performance as a member of the TRC Environmental Services crew that maintains the Interstate 86 rest area in the Town of Ellery. Mary also was recognized as a NYSID Outstanding Performer in 2005.

Among her responsibilities, Mary drives the crew to and from the facility; cleans the restrooms; and keeps the lobby and outside area looking pristine. She also does the inventory and the ordering of supplies, along with performing grounds checks. Mary also assists travelers with directions or suggests ideas on what to see while in the area.

“This is the best job I’ve ever had, and I hope I never lose it,” she said.

Jennifer DeWolf – Advocate of the Year
Jennifer is a direct support professional at The Resource Center, working with people with disabilities in TRC’s Dunkirk Day Habilitation Program and at some of the agency’s homes in the North County. Jenn respects the people she supports and is committed to assisting them in meeting their milestones. She also engages the people she supports to participate in community service projects.

Jenn stands out in other ways. When she notices issues that should be addressed, she shares her concerns with other members of her teams. Her co-workers praise the quality of her documentation regarding the people she supports, and she never gives the impression that she is above any aspect of the demanding job of being a direct support professional.

“I’m very honored to receive this award on behalf of all the individuals I have supported the last seven years of working as a DSP,” Jenn said. “I would also like to thank all the people that I have worked with, all the managers and my co-workers that I’ve worked with from Lake Shore Day Hab, Birchwood, Eagle and Water IRAs … and helped me grow to the DSP that I have become.”

Nancy Hunt – Health Provider of the Year
Nancy is a respiratory therapist who works at UPMC Chautauqua and at The Resource Center, where she supports people living in TRC homes who have breathing difficulties or other airway concerns. Nancy conducts frequent visits with the most compromised individuals, recommending the most appropriate treatments to keep them out of the hospital. When hospitalization becomes necessary, she advocates for her patients to ensure the hospital treatment team provides the best care possible. Nancy also regularly communicates with the staff at TRC’s homes to keep them up to date on the person’s health status while they’re in the hospital.

Her TRC co-workers respect and appreciate Nancy’s knowledge, experience and compassion, and they also are grateful to her for helping to order and maintain the agency’s respiratory equipment.

“I’m very honored to receive this award,” Nancy said. “I’ve worked for The Resource Center for years, and I love every minute of it.  I’ve met so many wonderful clients and staff members. We work as a team, and I will always cherish it.”

Courtney Poitras – Personal Success Award
Courtney has managed to remain employed after previous jobs went away, and she now works in The Resource Center’s Jamestown manufacturing facility.

In her personal life, Courtney has a self-directed plan that enabled her to move out of a TRC home and into her own apartment. She lives independently, with minimal support provided by The Resource Center.

“I love living on my own. I get to do whatever I want, and I feel free,” Courtney said. “I love being on my own. It’s awesome.”

She thanked her parents, as well as her support staff, her support broker and the staff at her former home for preparing her to live independently.

Courtney was thrilled to receive the Personal Success Award (“I feel like I’m famous!”), and she had a message for other people with disabilities who may be considering moving out on their own or looking for a job. “Keep trying, sand don’t be afraid to try new things.”

Ashlee Terry – Edwin Roth Mental Health Award
Ashlee is an applied behavior science specialist at two of The Resource Center’s homes on Foote Avenue in Jamestown. The people living in these homes have a variety of challenging behaviors. Under Ashlee’s guidance, the teams in the homes have been able to assist individuals in improving their lives. Examples of these successes include a young man who no longer needs assistance from law enforcement when he becomes agitated; several people who no longer have to be hospitalized; and a few people who have been able to move into less-restrictive living situations.

Ashlee advocates for the people she supports to ensure their needs are met. She plays a key role in developing behavior plans for each person. When she doesn’t know how to address an issue, she conducts research to find the needed information. And if a plan doesn’t work, she’ll rewrite it until it yields positive results.

“I just wanted to say thank you to everyone,” said Ashlee, emphasizing that any success she has realized is the result of the team members with who she works. “I’m here because of them and with them. This award goes out to all of us, not just me. We work super hard, we’re diligent and we find the answers that we need.”

Brianna Wicks – Outstanding Achievement Award
Brianna has had a momentous year on her pathway to becoming an adult. After finishing school and enrolling in The Resource Center’s Dunkirk Day Habilitation Program last year, she moved out of her family home and into a home operated by TRC. As a member of a health self-advocacy group in her day program, Bri proudly shared how she has advocated for herself, from relaying issues to TRC staff, talking with her doctor about changes she wanted to make regarding her medications, and being aware of movement and other ways to improve her health. And after the health self-advocacy group met at the start of the pandemic to discuss ways to help people stay safe, Bri gave a presentation about it to staff and peers in the day program.

She has been learning to give people personal space, honor their wishes regarding personal touching and patiently take turns with the attention of others.

Being forced to stay at home during COVID was a major upheaval for Bri, as she missed being able to see her family and friends. She talked with staff about things she could do to make herself and others feel better, and in response she wrote letters to some of the people she missed.

Wendy Wilcox – Bruce Walford Community Support Award
Mondays through Fridays, Wendy has a full-time job at M&T Bank. On weekends, she works at The Resource Center providing direct support to people with developmental disabilities living in TRC’s homes. In that role she has forged strong bonds with the people she supports strives to ensure they get to participate in community events.

Wendy also is a longtime member of the Jamestown Kiwanis Club. Combining her passion for community service with her commitment to support people with disabilities to enjoy meaningful lives, a few years ago she started an Aktion Club. An initiative of Kiwanis International, Aktion Clubs provide opportunities for people with developmental disabilities to engage in community service. Wendy facilitates the group’s meetings, arranges transportation for group members and supports them to participate in community service activities.

Wendy also is active in her church, and her faith has inspired her to support people with disabilities to be able to attend church services.

In accepting her award, Wendy praised the volunteers with developmental disabilities who serve as members of the Aktion Club.

“These guys and ladies are the best volunteers you could ever find,” she said. “They have the best ideas, they want to think about helping people, helping animals, helping kids, helping anybody, all the time.”

YMCA Camp Onyahsa – Community Support Award
For more than a decade, Camp Onyahsa and The Resource Center have partnered to provide people with intellectual and developmental disabilities the opportunity to experience the wonders of summer camp. Throughout the week, campers enjoy all of the activities Onyahsa has to offer – swimming, boating, fishing, archery, arts and crafts, nature walks, basketball, tetherball, and making S’mores by a campfire. The final night of camp typically involves a big party, with counselors performing skits and everyone getting the chance to sing and dance.

Because of the pandemic, TRC officials weren’t sure there would be a Camp Week in 2020.  But Camp Director Jon O’Brian and his staff developed a process for safely operating. Though overnight camping wasn’t possible, TRC’s campers were able to do most of the other things they enjoy about camp.

Jon noted that he was a young counselor when The Resource Center first established an overnight camping program at Onyahsa in 1979. He shared some of the memories and names of TRC campers he has known over the years. Jon said TRC’s camp week is a highlight of the summer for him and his staff, and he knows the annual experience is important to the campers. So he and his staff were determined to come up with a safe way to hold camp week for TRC.

“We know that several campers count the days until camp begins each year, and we did not want to disappoint them,” he said.

Jon also took time to praise TRC and its employees.

“I want to use this opportunity to also recognize the great work of The Resource Center in our community, and the tremendous dedication especially of its frontline staff, whose efforts are perhaps too often unrecognized and maybe even underappreciated in our region.”

The awards luncheons were held at Calarco’s restaurant in Dunkirk; Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron; The Chop House on Main in Jamestown; and Stella: A Kitchen & Bar in Lakewood. Each of the award recipients was given a trophy, plus certificates of recognition provided by Congressman Tom Reed, Senator George Borrello, Assemblyman Andy Goodell, and County Executive PJ Wendel.

This year’s awards selection committee was composed of Sandy Ahlgren, a retired teacher; Victoria Trass Bardo, development and events manager for Filling the Gap; Toni DeAngelo, retired wellness director at UPMC Chautauqua; Kathy Field, TRC’s associate executive administrative assistant; Dan Hocking, co-owner of ACME The Appliance Store; Elizabeth Williams, a member of TRC’s board of directors; and Barrie Yochim, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area.

Click here to make a donation to The Resource Center Excellence Awards Fund in honor of one of the award recipients.

Most people look forward to Fridays.  And now there’s another reason to be excited about the end of the work week.

The Empty Bottle at Southern Tier Distilling Company will host a fund-raising event Friday, October 2, to support the Marine Corps Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County.

The event is part of the distillery’s “First Fri-YAY!” series of fund-raisers, held the first Friday of each month.  Ten percent of sales (including online purchases) generated between 5:00 and 8:00 p.m. will be donated to Toys for Tots.  In addition, patrons are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to donate.  The distillery is located at 2051A Stoneman Circle, Lakewood, just down the hill from Southern Tier Brewing Company.

To make the event more fun, Toys for Tots organizers and The Resource Center have recruited celebrity bartenders to volunteer during the event.  We’re hoping the bartenders will have a friendly competition among themselves to see which of them can generate the most money in sales and tips during their shift.  Here is the lineup:

5:00-6:00
Tim Adam
John Vogan

6:00-7:00
George Panebianco
Mike Roberts

7:00-8:00
Richie Gray
Sam Lisciandro

NOTE: Sam Triscari may substitute in during the 6:00-7:00 or 7:00-8:00 shifts.

Click here to see the Facebook event.

This marks the 20^th straight year that employees of The Resource Center have coordinated the Marine Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua Count.  The past few years, Chautauqua Connections, Inc., and the Chautauqua Connections Children’s Coalition have partnered with TRC to operate the toy drive.  Each year, Toys for Tots makes the holidays merrier for more than 3,000 Chautauqua County children.  Last year, 3,289 children from 1,315 families received toys.

Because of the pandemic, there will be changes this year in terms of how toys are collected, sorted and distributed.  Details about this year’s toy drive are scheduled to be announced during a press conference the morning of the distillery event.

The Resource Center is pleased to announce the recipients of its 32^nd annual Ability Awareness Awards.

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

Advocate of the Year – Jennifer DeWolf of Sheridan
Business/Employer of the Year – Can Kings of Fredonia and Silver Creek
Community Partnership Award – YMCA Camp Onyahsa in Dewittville
Bruce Walford Community Service Award – Wendy Wilcox of Jamestown
Health Provider of the Year – Nancy Hunt of Jamestown
Edwin Roth Mental Health Award – Ashlee Terry of Sheffield, PA
Outstanding Achievement Award – Brianna Wicks of Westfield
Personal Success Award – Courtney Poitras of Jamestown
Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year – Peter Carlo of Jamestown

In addition, Mary Davis of Jamestown will receive an award for being honored by New York State Industries for the Disabled, Inc.  NYSID selected Davis for recognition through its annual William B. Joslin Outstanding Performance Award Program, which awards workers with disabilities from across New York State.

The Ability Awareness Awards usually are presented at a large celebration, but that will not take place this year because of the pandemic.  Instead, the awards will be presented at several small celebrations.  Those presentations will be recorded and then shared at a watch party.  Details will be announced soon.

We salute all of the nominees, and we thank everyone who took time to submit a nomination.  We also thank those community members who volunteered their time to serve on the selection committee that chose the award recipients.  The selection committee members were Sandy Ahlgren, a retired teacher; Toni DeAngelo, retired wellness director at UPMC Chautauqua; Dan Hocking, co-owner of ACME The Appliance Store; Elizabeth Williams, a member of The Resource Center’s Board of Directors; and Barrie Yochim, executive director of Meals on Wheels of the Jamestown Area.

For more information about the awards or the celebrations being planned, contact Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Events Manager, at (716) 661-1477 or [email protected].

Click here if you’d like to make a donation to our TRC Excellence Awards Fund in honor of one or more of this year’s honorees.  Your contribution will help cover the cost of our awards celebrations.

As a professional pastry chef, Dory Matwijkow likely would appreciate these ingredients for a successful fund-raising event:

• 1 heart full of love for your son
• Strong passion for a cause
• Deep commitment to making a project succeed
• Dozens of family members and friends who want to support you

Dory combined these ingredients into her own recipe and baked up a tremendously successful fund-raising walk, doubling the amount of money she thought she would collect and earning rave reviews for her creation.

Dory has a son named Austin who has autism and lives in a home in Jamestown that is operated by The Resource Center.  Each September, The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, Inc., hold an event called Step Up for Autism.  Dory, some family members and friends make the long drive from her home on Grand Island to Jamestown to take part in the event every year.  Calling themselves Austin’s Angels, Dory and crew raise money for the event and participate in the 1.5-mile walk.  Dory also puts her baking skills to use and donates some items for the Step Up for Autism sweets auction, and on two occasions one of her items has received the highest bid.

To say Dory is invested in Step Up for Autism would be an understatement.  So when the pandemic caused us to cancel this year’s in-person Step Up for Autism and replace it with a virtual walk, Dory was disappointed.  But she wasn’t about to let COVID stop her from supporting the event.  On August 5, she posted on Facebook that since the traditional Step Up for Autism walk was canceled, she was going to organize her own walk, and she asked her Facebook friends if anyone was interested in attending.

The response was overwhelming, with 70 people commenting in support of her idea and offering to help.

Backed by such strong support, Dory set about making her walk a reality.  She reserved space at Beaver Island State Park on Grand Island and started recruiting walkers, mindful of New York State’s limitations on large gatherings of people.  She began soliciting donations of gift baskets.  And she put her oven to use, baking items for a bake sale.

Dory’s Step Up for Autism walk took place Sunday, September 27.  She had a great turnout, with dozens of people coming for the walk and many others turning out just for the basket auction and bake sale.  She was overwhelmed by the success of her event.

“Wow!  Just `wow’ Is all I can say!  I am speechless!  What a day!  A great day,” Dory said.  “I am proud, humbled and can’t believe It went as flawless as it did!  We had 46 great baskets, and the bake sale was amazing!  I am so thankful to my family who worked so hard on this with me, and my friends who are such great supporters of my mission.”

When she first made plans to hold her own Step Up for Autism walk, she hoped to raise $5,000.  As the event drew closer, she raised her goal to $7,000.  Following the event, Dory realized that through registration fees, gift baskets and the bake sale, she had raised $8,783.  She then pledged to round that up to $9,000, but later updated that figure.

“Because of some very generous people in my inner circle, we are going to round it up to a $10,000 donation,” Dory said.

Proceeds from Dory’s Step Up for Autism walk will support The Resource Center’s SUCCESS Program, which teaches socialization skills to youths on the autism spectrum.

Officials at The Resource Center and Filling the Gap were overjoyed at the success of Dory’s event and grateful she has been such a strong supporter of Step Up for Autism.

“We are extremely fortunate that Dory has been a big part of our Step Up for Autism event over the years.  Given the circumstances for our events in 2020, this donation will be put to great use,” said Victoria Trass Bardo, Development and Events Manager.  “Dory’s enthusiasm is infectious, so there is no doubt that all of her friends and family were eager to participate with her, either through donations and/or attending her event.  We only wish we were able to congratulate and celebrate with her in person.”

The creation of the autism walk was just Dory’s latest effort to give back and support others.  For many years she and her family have participated in The Summit Center’s Autism Walk.  Last fall she started baking sweets to raise money for Austin’s Angels, and this spring she branched out to also bake dog biscuits.  Her treats (for humans and canines) have been popular, allowing her to donate the proceeds.  In April she donated $1,000 to The Resource Center in memory of her father, Glenn Smith, who had died the previous month.

Click here if you’d like to make a donation in support of Dory’s Step Up for Autism walk.

We thank Dory Matwijkow and her supporters for “stepping up” and finding a way to continue the tradition of Step Up for Autism in the face of the pandemic!