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716-483-2344Jamestown, NY
Nominations are being accepted for The Resource Center’s 2020 Ability Awareness and Recognition Awards.
Every year, people with disabilities in Chautauqua County make tremendous strides in their quest to lead productive, meaningful lives. And every day, they are supported in their efforts by a wide segment of the community that appreciates and values the contributions those with disabilities can make, if given a chance.
To recognize the efforts of people with disabilities and those who support them, each year The Resource Center holds a celebration to pay tribute to this deserving group by presenting the Disability Awareness and Recognition Awards. The public is encouraged to nominate people with disabilities whom they know, or people and organizations from the community that have had a positive impact on the lives of those with disabling conditions.
Nominations are being accepted in the following categories:
Nominees do not have to be affiliated with The Resource Center. A selection committee composed of community volunteers will decide which nominees are most deserving of the awards.
Nominations will be accepted until August 24. Each nomination must include a narrative explaining why the nominee is deserving of an award, including examples of how the nominee has positively impacted people with disabilities. Click here to submit a nomination. If you want a nomination form sent to you, phone Victoria Trass Bardo at (716) 661-1477. Nominations can be mailed to the Awards Planning Committee, c/o The Resource Center, 200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701. Nominations also can be faxed to (716) 485-4612.
Award recipients will be honored in October at The Resource Center’s 32nd annual Ability Awareness Awards Celebration.
Continuing its commitment to local organizations that support Chautauqua County residents, Lake Shore Savings Bank is proud to announce it has donated its sponsorship money for the 2020 TRC Golf Classic in order to help tournament organizers meet the needs of people with disabilities.
Lake Shore Savings has been the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic since 2012 and was looking forward to serving in that role again for this year’s event, which had been scheduled to take place May 18 at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown. However, the tournament had to be canceled because of COVID-19.
The TRC Golf Classic is the major annual fund-raiser 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. The TRC Golf Classic has netted more than $1.6 million since it began in 1997.
Knowing the canceled tournament would cause a financial strain for Filling the Gap and The Resource Center during a difficult time caused by COVID-19, Lake Shore Savings decided to donate its $15,000 sponsorship fee.
“Lake Shore Savings Bank is proud of its position as the presenting sponsor of the TRC Golf Classic,” said Daniel P. Reininga, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Once the tournament’s organizers decided they had to cancel this year’s event, it was an easy decision for Lake Shore Savings to demonstrate our support of Filling the Gap and The Resource Center by donating the sponsorship fee. Through this gesture, we can help Filling the Gap and The Resource Center continue to meet the needs of our friends and neighbors with disabilities.”
“We are extremely grateful to Lake Shore Savings for sponsoring the TRC Golf Classic every year,” said Cindy Hitchcock, Vice President for Business and Finance at Filling the Gap. “Their generosity in donating this year’s sponsorship fee, even though we had to cancel the tournament, is overwhelming,”
“Dan Reininga and his entire team at Lake Shore Savings Bank are simply an awesome corporate partner,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer. “Their commitment to our mission allows us to continue to meet the needs of people with disabilities who need support during normal times, and who are especially vulnerable during the pandemic.”
Pictured (l to r) – Daniel Reininga – President and Chief Executive Officer – Lake Shore Savings Bank, Kelly Dimitri – Chief Financial Officer – The Resource Center, Chris Anderson – Marketing Manager/TRC Golf Classic Chairman – The Resource Center, and Cindy Hitchcock – Vice President – Filling the Gap Inc.
In accordance with its by-laws, The Resource Center hereby announces its General Membership Meeting and Election will be held Monday, July 13. Due to safety concerns caused by COVID-19, the meeting will be held via telephone and videoconference.
The event will begin at 5:00. All Active Members of The Resource Center who are in good standing are invited to participate in the meeting and to vote in the election and on any business items that may arise. To be considered in good standing, one must have made a contribution of $10 or more to The Resource Center or Filling the Gap, Inc., since June 13, 2019.
If interested in attending the meeting, please contact Selina Phillips at (716) 661-1412 or [email protected] to obtain the access information for the meeting. All Active Members in good standing who are unable to attend the meeting may vote in the election online. Click here to cast your vote.
The tentative meeting agenda is as follows:
The Nominating Committee — composed of Debbie Brown, Chair; Wayne Hotelling; Julie McCarthy; Rita Monaco; and Sharon Richards — has proposed the following candidates for Officers and Directors of the Board of The Resource Center, as well as candidates to serve on the Nominating Committee for the 2021 Election:
Officers (one-year term)
President — Patricia Perlee
Vice President — Richard Erickson
Secretary — Marie Carrubba, Esq.
Treasurer — Craig Colburn
Directors (two-year term)
Tim Adam
Doug Anderson
Donna Haenggi
Todd Jacobson, MD
Rebeca Hamlet Kapple
Richard Kimball
Wayne Ormsby
Nominating Committee
Wayne Hotelling
June Jacobson
Jennifer Liuzzo
Julie McCarthy
For more information or to indicate you plan to attend the meeting, phone (716) 483-2344.
If you have not yet paid your 2020 TRC Membership dues, click here to make a secure, online payment. Your membership demonstrates your commitment to The Resource Center’s mission. In these challenging times, your support of TRC is extremely important.
Mark Morton is serenaded by staff at TRC’s Dunham Avenue building the day before his retirement. Employees were holding signs bearing a photo of Mark in his younger days. They also sang a parody of “The Weight” by Robbie Robertson (credit to Lela Berry, Residence Coordinator, for writing the lyrics and leading TRC’s singers in an inspiring performance).
The end of an era occurred May 14 when Mark Morton retired after 41 years at The Resource Center, finishing a career that covered periods of tremendous growth and change for our agency.
Mark joined TRC in September 1978 as a Direct Support Professional at our home on Pardee Avenue in Jamestown. From there he served as a Programming Specialist in the Day Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue, later becoming the Assistant Program Manager. Next he was appointed the Administrator of the Intermediate Care Facilities on Chandler Street in Jamestown and Gifford Avenue in Celoron. Later, his job expanded to Director of Residential Services, and he oversaw all of the ICFs and then all of the Individualized Residential Alternatives as well. Part of that job also included service development. Mark later transitioned to Service Development Director and focused on opening new homes, expanding current services and developing additional Day Habilitation service locations.
He then transitioned back to Residential Services as the Administrator of the ICF on Foote Avenue, which once again led to Mark overseeing all of the ICFs. After a five-year stint in that role, he went back to doing service development before being promoted to Assistant Executive Director for Labor Management, Employee Relations and Support Operations in 2015.
Mark has so many fond memories and special moments from his years at TRC that it’s hard to name just a few. He recalled a special time when people who had lived at Willowbrook Developmental Center arrived at the Jamestown Airport to love into new residences TRC developed on Gifford Avenue in Celoron and Chandler Street in Jamestown. Mark was among the TRC employees who greeted the residents when they arrived at the airport.
“Once the staff from the Developmental Center left to go back to New York City, we had the responsibility of caring for individuals who were more medically frail than anyone we had ever served before,” said Mark. “They were gaining the opportunity to live a better life.”
“We are fortunate that Mark decided to invest nearly 42 years of his life, and his entire career, with The Resource Center,” said Executive Director Denise Jones, who worked with Mark for 30 years. “He has been an integral part of the development and expansion of services to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities as the large state institutions were being downsized and individuals were transitioned to smaller settings in the Chautauqua County area. In looking at the various positions Mark has advanced to throughout his impressive career, the one thing that has remained clear and consistent is his heart for the individuals we support and his dedication to our amazing staff members.”
Co-workers noted that Mark “walks the walk,” never asking others to do anything he wouldn’t do, or hasn’t done, himself. And he was always present during difficult times, rolling up his sleeves and getting involved in dealing with the problem. TRC’s mission of supporting people with disabilities was always at the forefront in Mark’s mind.
Mark has a relaxed management style that was effective with staff. His leadership style likely grew from the fact Mark worked his way up from a Direct Support Professional and therefore understood things from a direct support perspective. He is compassionate and cares for the people TRC supports as well as staff, looking to be fair to all by taking time to get to know everyone and getting enough information to make good decisions.
In an open letter to TRC staff written a few days before he retired, Mark reflected on his time at The Resource Center.
“This agency and the many people employed by it have accomplished so much toward what I call a movement. It’s a movement we are all a part of: supporting people with disabilities and disabling conditions to gain and keep all the rights, opportunities and self-direction that enable people to choose where they want to live, work and play.
“In my early years with the agency, that movement came in the form of deinstitutionalization. TRC was at the forefront of deinstitutionalization during the 1980s. Through opening four Intermediate Care Facilities and numerous supervised community residences, and expanding the Day Habilitation Program, TRC played a role in the closure of three state institutions: J.N. Adam, West Seneca, and Willowbrook. It was very exciting to be here during those times, and I feel fortunate to have played a part in it. It is a part of our legacy we should be proud of and always remember.
“A lot of the good things that happened afterward extended from those days: expansion of clinical services, opening of primary care and dental clinics, recreation programs, expansion of programs to assist people to work, etc. The development of services by The Resource Center was also driven by the needs of the community, as in the case of providing mental health services.
“My message to all The Resource Center staff is that the movement is ongoing; the work isn’t nearly done. The things that need to be accomplished going forward may actually be more difficult because the road is not a clearly defined as it once was, but the work is no less critical or impactful.
“Personally, The Resource Center was a godsend for me. I graduated from SUNY Geneseo with a bachelor’s degree in special education but had decided by then that I didn’t want to teach special education. The Resource Center provided me with the opportunity to make a living doing what I truly loved doing: working with individuals who need supports, working with the staff who provide direct supports, and later in my career working with staff in support departments. My experiences from all the places I worked is that The Resource Center could not be what it has been and what it is today without the character of the people who pushed it forward.”
He added, “I was always fortunate to be a part of a team of staff that worked well together, supported each other, and was driven by the mission. It was an honor to work with so many hard-working, unselfish, and dedicated staff. I will always cherish working with all the different people I worked with and got to know. It was especially gratifying when a team of staff — through planning, discipline and hard work — accomplished an initiative that truly improved the lives of people receiving services.
“I will always feel a part of The Resource Center, and going forward TRC will continue to be in my heart and in my thoughts. I will try to remember to say a prayer each day for the people The Resource Center supports, the people who provide the direct supports, the people who staff the support departments, and the management and administration. We need all of you working together to meet the critical needs that exist in our community and to keep the movement going forward.”
Among the commendations Mark received over the years, he was the Clinical Services Department’s Employee of the Month in September 1981; he was honored for a job well done as Acting Day Program Manager in 1985; he received special recognition in 1992 for his financial management of the ICF Program; and he received special recognition in 1999 for how he handles stressful situations.
We thank Mark for his service to The Resource Center and the people we support, and we wish him a long, happy and healthy retirement.
The Resource Center’s employees always do a tremendous job, and they have really stepped up during the confusion and uncertainty caused by the coronavirus crisis.
The Resource Center is proud that we have not had a case of COVID-19 infection at any of our facilities. We are doing our best to keep the virus out of our homes by following guidelines from the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; the Occupational Safety and Health Administration; the New York State Office for People With Developmental Disabilities; the New York State Department of Health; and the Chautauqua County Department of Health and Human Services. Precautions include:
We know the changes in our operations, brought on by a fierce commitment to prevent COVID-19 from making its way into The Resource Center, have been hard on the people we support and their families, as well as on our own staff. Many of the people who live in our homes are used to visiting regularly with their families. Being unable to visit with one another is confusing for the people we support and heart-wrenching for their families. That’s why we’ve been supporting residents in using technology to remain in contact with their families.
Here are some updates of what has been going on at The Resource Center:
Intellectual and Developmental Disability Services
For more than 60 years, The Resource Center’s core mission has been to support people with intellectual and other developmental disabilities. With the virus pandemic upon us, we have taken extraordinary steps to protect the people we support — and our staff who support them — from being exposed to the virus.
Many of the people we support have compromised immune systems or other health conditions that make them more susceptible to contracting COVID-19. To minimize their possible exposure, we closed our Day Habilitation Programs and suspended many of our community-based supports. People living in our residences are being kept home, and visitation by family and friends has been restricted. Staff are being monitored for signs of the virus and are being checked for fever when they arrive for work, and they are wearing masks while on the job.
Staff and residents proudly hold up some of the masks they made for use by health care workers.
Staff and residents have been great in adapting to the changes forced upon them by the pandemic. Staff have come up with interesting projects for people to do in the homes, and we’ve been meeting the clinical and therapeutic needs of the residents.
While we hope to keep the virus out of our homes, COVID-19 has made its way into residences at other agencies in New York State, so we know it’s possible the coronavirus eventually will appear at one of our homes. In preparation for this occurrence, we have arranged for our Day Program facility on Eighth Street in Jamestown to be used to quarantine residents while they recover.
Clinical Services
Dr. Jeanne Yang, left, and Ishmally Zambrana Torres, Dental Assistant, display the personal protective equipment being worn by staff at our Jamestown Dental Clinic.
TRC Community Health Center remains open to serve people with disabilities and the general public. Each of TRC Community Health Center’s clinical service areas is operating. We are trying to conduct most appointments by telephone or videoconference, but the offices remain open to handle emergencies.
All clinical service areas are accepting new patients. Phone 661-1447 for an appointment. In many cases, there is no copay.
“We’re open, we’re safe, we’re here for you,” said Heather C. Brown, Assistant Executive Director for Program Operations.
Primary Care
Dr. Adnan Munir and the nursing staff are seeing patients Monday through Friday at the 890 East Second Street location, or via a telehealth appointment.
Dental
In accordance with federal and state guidelines, we have suspended all non-emergency procedures. Dr. Jeanne Yang and her staff are available two days a week at the Jamestown location to handle emergency situations. They also offer telehealth — send a photo of your problem, and they will try to assist you.
Behavioral Health
For people who are feeling overwhelmed by the virus crisis, as well as anyone else coping with a mental health challenge, TRC’s Behavioral Health and Care Coordination Services are there for you. Counselors are working from home, and some are available at our Jamestown and Dunkirk locations to meet face to face with people experiencing emergencies or needing medication. Our Health Home services are operating remotely.
OT, PT, Speech
Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Speech Therapy services are being offered on a limited basis at our Diagnostic and Treatment Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. All equipment is sanitized between sessions. Telehealth sessions also are available.
Physical Therapists Cain Sonney, left, and William Bowler.
Manufacturing Operations
With health care providers and other businesses experiencing shortages of masks and gowns, The Resource Center has stepped up to assist.
TRC and its manufacturing division, called Allied Industries, have been sewing items for the federal government for some 30 years. With the COVID-19 response requiring enormous amounts of personal protective equipment, TRC was well positioned to help fill that need.
Workers at our Jamestown facility began making reusable cloth masks and gowns in early April. While the first items produced were distributed for use by our own staff, we are now making masks and gowns for customers located in Chautauqua County, across New York State and elsewhere.
Interest in our PPE has been enormous. When Support Enterprises, Inc., one of our manufacturing partners located next to Allied Industries on Jones & Gifford Avenue, posted about the availability of its masks, the response was immediate — within a day, they received 60 orders from across the country.
The Resource Center expects to be able to produce up to 15,000 gowns and 95,000 masks per month. Support Enterprises can manufacture 500 to 1,200 masks per day.
The masks and gowns are not for use in surgical settings. The masks are made from a polyester-cotton blend, while the gowns are made with a waterproof, thermoplastic polyurethane fabric.
Click here to read more.
Saying “THANKS!”
Any gesture of gratitude to our employees for their efforts during the crisis can never adequately express our appreciation for the job they are doing. But we have tried to show employees how much they are valued. Last week, we held “car parades” in which lines of vehicles drove past every one of our 30 homes located throughout Chautauqua County. At each stop, administrative staff parked their vehicles and got out to shout words of praise and encouragement to residents and home staff.
Our clinical services employees have been on the front lines of heath care during the crisis. To demonstrate the entire agency’s appreciation for the efforts of clinical staff, Executive Director Denise Jones and Heather C. Brown, Assistant Executive Director for Program Operations, bought breakfast one day last week and delivered it to TRC Community Health Center on Second Street in Jamestown.
At left, staff hold up signs in front of a TRC home during one of the parades. At right, Heather Brown (left) and Denise Jones express thanks to clinical employees.
Unsung Heroes
The employees who have been doing such a great job providing direct support to people with disabilities, meeting the health care needs of the community and making personal protective equipment are backed by hundreds of people working behind the scenes. We thank all of TRC’s Unsung Heroes whose efforts have enabled us to continue operating at a high level.
Click here to show your support for The Resource Center by making a donation to our “TRC Fights COVID-19 Fund.”
We are TRC strong!
Two local manufacturers with many years of industrial sewing experience are producing reusable personal protective equipment to meet the needs of businesses and private citizens during the COVID-19 crisis.
The Resource Center and Support Enterprises, Inc., have begun sewing gowns and cloth masks at their Jamestown manufacturing facilities, located in adjacent buildings on Jones & Gifford Avenue. Both organizations, which have been sewing items for the federal government for more than 20 years, are essential businesses, and as such they have remained operating during the COVID-19 crisis. Upon learning of the shortages of personal protective equipment being experienced across the country and particularly in New York State, both manufacturers adjusted their operations to be able to produce reusable PPE.
“As the need for PPE across the nation has grown, we began to expand our sewing operation to try and help meet those needs,” said Todd Frangione, TRC’s Director of Business Operations. “We are currently supplying the Department of Defense with military tactical gear, first-aid kits, and we have now expanded those lines to include PPE in the form of a sewn mask and gown. Our focus is to keep our employees safe and continue to provide critical essential items to all those in need.”
“With the coronavirus crisis enveloping the nation and the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control for Americans to wear cloth masks, SEI has answered the call and is now producing cloth face masks for our country,” said Bruce Theuret, Support Enterprises’ General Manager.
The Resource Center is making gowns and masks, while Support Enterprises is making masks. The masks are being made from a polyester-cotton blend. The gowns are being manufactured using a nonwoven, waterproof thermoplastic polyurethane fabric. The gowns and masks are not intended for use in a surgical setting. The garments are reusable, and it is recommended that people wash the masks and gowns between uses.
With government officials across the country now recommending – and in some cases, mandating – that people wear masks when in public, interest in Support Enterprises’ masks was immediate once the company unveiled them in early April. Theuret said that within a day of putting up a Facebook post about the availability of the masks, Support Enterprises received 60 orders from across the country.
With the coronavirus crisis enveloping the nation and the recommendation from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) for Americans to wear cloth masks, SEI has answered the call and is now producing cloth face masks for our country”I was pleasantly surprised at how many responses we had in just a few hours,” he said. He said those 60 orders were for a total of 250 masks, and that another 100 masks were produced and delivered to New Vision Services, a Jamestown-based provider of in-home care to residents of Chautauqua, Cattaraugus and Erie counties.
“New Vision Services is very excited to have received our order of 100 masks from SEI,” said Jessica Holmes, Director of Community-Based Services at NVS. “These masks are being handed out mostly to personal care aide staff to add extra protection while they are working on the front lines. We’re thankful that Support Enterprises could be of assistance during this difficult time.”
SEI’s masks are being sold for $4.75 each and currently are available in a variety of colors and designs. Theuret said several people who have ordered masks specified that they didn’t want any of them to look the same, so that each member of the household would be able to know which mask was theirs. While Theuret said Support Enterprises will try to accommodate people’s requests when they order, he cautioned there will be times when the color varieties will be limited because SEI will need to work with whatever color material is available. Theuret said Support Enterprises can make hundreds of masks in a day.
On The Resource Center side, sewing operations are being ramped up to meet the heightened need for PPE. The Resource Center anticipates producing up to 15,000 gowns and 95,000 masks a month.
To meet that production schedule, TRC is hiring additional workers to sew masks and gowns, meaning that some people who lost their jobs as a result of the crisis will again have the opportunity to work. The number of people to be hired will be determined by the level of demand for the equipment. The Resource Center is prepared to produce the PPE 24 hours a day, if necessary, by running three shifts of workers. TRC plans to give hiring priority to workers who have a disability, but will be hiring non-disabled temporary workers as well.
TRC’s gowns and masks are being marketed to local businesses as well as to health care organizations throughout the state, particularly agencies like TRC that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Because of the disease, people with disabilities who live in group homes state-wide are being kept at home. Staff working in the homes need masks and gowns to try to ensure the safety of themselves and the people they support.
TRC’s masks are being sold for $4.60 each, while the gowns are selling for $32 each. The minimum amount of masks and gowns that can be purchased at one time is 10, and they are being sold in lots of 10 each.
The items produced by TRC and SEI can be shipped anywhere, though officials anticipate some organizations may be in such desperate need for masks and gowns that they will drive to Jamestown to pick up the items rather than wait for the products to be delivered.
In their efforts to develop and roll out the production of PPE, The Resource Center and Support Enterprises have received assistance from the City of Jamestown and the Chautauqua County Industrial Development Agency. Jamestown Mayor Eddie Sundquist, Crystal Surdyk from the Department of Development and other members of their team have worked with The Resource Center to identify potential business customers and inquire about financial assistance through Empire State Development. TRC officials expressed gratitude for the city’s contributions.
“I was very thankful for the support and energy that Mayor Sundquist, Crystal and the team put into trying to help TRC make connections to those in need of PPE locally,” Frangione said.
Meanwhile, the IDA helped connect Support Enterprises with SKF, resulting in an order for 1,000 masks that incorporated a Velcro strap per SKF’s specifications.
“When I received the call from SKF, I was glad that we could help. Any time we can work with a local company, especially at this time, to help with any type of sewn product, it helps keep both of our business dollars local. This is a win-win for both organizations,” Theuret said. “I greatly appreciate the assistance the IDA provided in facilitating the connection between Support Enterprises and SKF.”
Interest in the locally produced masks has spiked in recent days. Individuals and businesses interested in ordering masks may contact Support Enterprises at 665-3840, or they can order online at www.tankbagsusa.com. Businesses interested in ordering gowns or masks should contact The Resource Center at 661-1062, or order online at www.resourcecenter.org/shop.
The Resource Center and Support Enterprises are proud they are able to fill a need by producing personal protective equipment during the virus crisis.
“It has been rewarding to be able to utilize our extensive manufacturing capacity to provide protective equipment for our own employees, and our community of fellow healthcare providers,” said Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Executive Director. She also had praise for the effort put forth by all TRC employees in response to the virus crisis.
“We are blessed with a talented team of employees in all divisions. I am truly thankful for our employees throughout the organization who continue to ensure the support of our clinic patients, the individuals we support in residential and family settings, and our fellow team members.”
Click here to support TRC’s efforts in dealing with the crisis by making a donation to the “TRC Fights COVID-19 Fund.”
The Resource Center has received a $10,000 grant through the Chautauqua County COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund to help people access essential services during the Coronavirus crisis.
The money is intended to assist people in overcoming barriers to basic needs and must be used to access essential resources such as communication (phone, internet) or transportation (to work, food, health care, medications, hygiene, laundry, etc.). The money also can be used to buy emergency supplies (such as formula, diapers, cleaning supplies, hygiene supplies) that are currently difficult to obtain.
Grant awards will not exceed $200 per request or a total of $500 per household. To be eligible to receive funding, a person must:
The approval committee will begin reviewing requests Monday, April 20. To be considered at that time, requests for funding must be submitted by 3:00 p.m. Friday. To obtain a request form contact Beth Jermain, TRC’s Support Option Administrator, at 661-1557. Requests can be submitted by fax (661-1419) or email (beth,[email protected]).
After next Monday, funding requests will continue to be accepted and reviewed until the grant money is used up.
Click here to see the full list of organizations that received money from the COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund.
Executive Director Denise Jones holds the Community Service Award while posing with Amy Pomeroy from the Observer.
The Resource Center is delighted to have been named the recipient of the Observer newspaper’s 2020 “Visionary Community Service Award.”
The announcement was made in the Observer’s annual “Vision” section, which was published March 28. In selecting The Resource Center for the award, the Observer noted TRC’s 60-year mission of improving the lives of people with disabilities, plus the fact that the people TRC serves, as well as their support staff, enjoy volunteering their time and raising money for dozens of area non-profit organizations and charitable causes.
“We’re truly humbled to receive this award,” said Denise Jones, TRC’s Executive Director. “There are so many amazing organizations in Northern Chautauqua County that do great things to make our community such a wonderful place to live. We’re proud that the work we do to improve the lives of people with disabilities has the added bonus of making our community a better place as well. We’re grateful to Publisher John D’Agostino and his Observer staff for recognizing The Resource Center’s contributions.”
The Resource Center has enjoyed a long relationship with the Observer. Most notably, each year the paper publishes a special section about our Laurel Memorial Run & Walk, and volunteers sell copies if the paper to raise money to support people with disabilities.
Click here to access the “Vision 2020” publication. The article about The Resource Center appears on page 15.
(March 17, 2020) – To maintain the health and safety of our staff and the people we support during the Coronavirus outbreak, The Resource Center has initiated the following actions effective Wednesday, March 18, until further decisions are made:
We will update the status of these services through The Resource Center’s web site and social media.
Thank you for your support and understanding as we continue to navigate through these uncertain times.
Jennifer Herron and Robin Kestler have received The Resource Center’s top employee honors for 2019. The awards were presented during TRC’s annual Employee Service Recognition Luncheon, held recently at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.
Jen, a Life Coach for people with disabilities who has worked at TRC for 18 years, received the Joseph Trusso Jr. Employee of the Year Award. She was honored for her efforts on behalf of two people who faced significant challenges last year. In one case, Jen assisted a woman who was living on her own when medical complications made it difficult for her to stay healthy. Jen suggested a shared living situation and then supported the woman to make it happen. This included helping to organize a household sale, being available by phone to provide the emotional support needed to get through the transition, and helping the woman move. Thanks to Jen’s support, the person was able to continue living in the community while maintaining her health.
The second example involved a person who became pregnant. During most of the pregnancy, Jen was the woman’s only support staff. One of the most important aspects of this situation was ensuring that the necessary pre-natal care and monitoring was provided. Jen helped the woman schedule her medical appointments and transported the woman to and from those appointments. Thanks to Jen’s involvement, the woman gave birth to a healthy baby.
“Jen does all this behind the scenes, and never talks about the great things she does,” said Mark Morton, TRC’s Assistant Executive Director for Employee Relations. “The work that she did this year is worthy of this award.”
The Employee of the Year Award is named in honor of the late Joe Trusso, a former Chautauqua County legislator who served on The Resource Center’s board of directors for 38 years.
Click here to watch a video of Jen.
Pictured are, from left, Executive Director Denise Jones; Patricia Perlee, the President of TRC’s Board of Directors; Jen; Donna Trusso, STARS Program Manager; and Resa Rosen-Murray, Direct Support Professional Lead. Donna and Resa are relatives of the late Joe Trusso.
TRC’s other major employee honor is the Norma J. Smith Award. It is presented to a staff member who has excelled in providing direct support to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The 2019 award was given to Robin, who has worked at TRC for 24 years. She was honored for her efforts in her role as the leader of a Day Habilitation Program room at the Michael J. Raymond Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown.
The projects Robin leads or has involvement with are many — the Pickers Club, assisting people at MJRC in gardening, organizing an annual Craft Bazaar, assisting the Future Strivers in making puppets and putting on a puppet production for the people who attend our Senior Adult Day Habilitation program, and many more. In addition, for many years Robin has overseen the creation of the awards given to participants at the Laurel Memorial Run & Walk, and organized the kickoff breakfast before the Laurel Run flag relay.
In the community, Robin puts forth extra time and effort so TRC self-advocates can be part of the annual “GROW Jamestown Garden Fair & Home Show.” The popular event enables area residents to see and learn about the fabulous things made by people with disabilities in the Pickers Club and our Creations Art Program. The event offers a great opportunity for community integration, and it is awesome to watch Robin, her co-workers and the people we support shine.
“Robin is described as a courageous, kind and living person,” Mark said. “She brings many gifts on a daily basis to each and every person she comes in contact with.”
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.
Click here to watch a video of Robin.
Patricia Perlee, the President of TRC’s Board of Directors, congratulated Jen and Robin. “Your stories and your actions have inspired us,” she said.
Click here to listen to a radio show that recaps the Employee Services Recognition Luncheon.
Pictured are, from left, Joanne Bevan, Assistant Executive Director for Program Operations; Denise Jones, Executive Director; Mark Morton, Assistant Executive Director for Employee Relations; Robin Kestler; Patty Perlee, Board President; and Melissa Rasmussen, Lead Manufacturing Supervisor. Melissa is the daughter of the late Norma Smith.
200 Dunham Avenue, Jamestown, NY, 14701