The accomplishments of people with disabilities were highlighted when The Resource Center held its 33^rd annual Ability Awareness Awards Celebration.

Click here to watch the video from the celebration.

The event took place at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron.  The celebration, which was delayed several months because of the pandemic, was an opportunity to recognize people with disabilities who have made meaningful strides in their lives, as well as honor community residents and organizations that have helped improve the lives of those who have a disability.

Welcoming remarks were given by Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s executive director.

“This event is one of my favorites that we do, because it really pulls together and embodies what we are and who we are at The Resource Center,” Jones said.  “We’re about community, and at this event we recognize our community.  We’re all about succeeding and providing opportunities for people, and you’re going to hear all about that today.  I hope that you’ll leave here feeling as inspired as I do every year when we have these awards.”

As part of the celebration, a video about each of the honorees in attendance was shown prior to the award being presented.

The first honor was the Community Partnership Award, which was presented to the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County.  The United Way has been providing work training opportunities to people with disabilities from The Resource Center for about three years.

“I was happy to open our doors up to volunteers coming in from The Resource Center to provide them with work experiences, and the three years we’ve been working with that group of volunteers, they’ve brought so much life, so much energy, have just really made our workplace more enjoyable every day that they’re here,” said Adam Dolce, United Way executive director.

He said the United Way provides different work experiences based on volunteers’ strengths and interests, and he said the people from TRC are important to the United Way’s operations.

“They’re a critical component to helping us help the community.  Over the last two seasons through our coat drive, The Resource Center volunteers have been an absolutely critical piece to making sure those coats get laundered and cleaned,” Dolce said.  “The enthusiasm and the eagerness with which our Resource Center volunteers take that project on is so refreshing, and I think they appreciate knowing that they’re making a difference in helping people, and we certainly appreciate the assistance and all the work they do for us.”

The Edwin Roth Mental Health Award was given to Barbara Billings, a licensed mental health clinician with TRC’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services.

Abigail Pickert, a care coordinator at TRC, nominated Billings for the award.  “She is the utmost professional and warm-hearted counselor,” Pickert said of Billings.  “She really takes the time to be personable.”

Pickert said Billings’ commitment to her clients extends beyond counseling sessions, explaining that in instances in which Pickert and Billings work with the same person in different capacities, Billings will seek Pickert’s insight about the person in order for Billings to better understand the client and be able to provide the most appropriate care.

“I love doing the counseling,” Billings said.  “I love working with people.  I love doing the day-to-day process of helping people find themselves and be able to tap into the resources they have within them to meet the problems that they have day to day.”

Billings, who said receiving the Mental Health Award validates her career choice, said she often wonders whether she is having a positive impact on her clients.

“A lot of times, I feel like, `Man, I’m not getting it, I’m not getting it.  What do I need to do to help this person?’  And then somebody comes along and says, `Well, guess what I did?’  And that’s the exciting part.  It’s the success stories that are the thing that made me understand that, yeah, I have made the right choice.  I found what I love to do.”

She credited her co-workers and her clients for the successes she has enjoyed as a counselor.

“These guys and gals that work here are amazing.  We are a team, and we couldn’t do it without each other,” Billings said.  “We work together to make this the best possible experience for each other as well as for our clients.  Because at the end of the day, that’s what we’re here for.”

The Mental Health Award is named in memory of the late Ed Roth, an official with the New York State Office of Mental Health.

The Business/Employer of the Year was Tanglewood Manor.  Tanglewood was chosen for the award because of the supports it provided to a worker with disabilities during the pandemic.

Before COVID arrived the worker, Lori Schneider, had a job coach from The Resource Center who accompanied her and supported her in performing her job tasks.  When COVID hit, Schneider was deemed an essential worker but her job coach was not, so the coach could no longer accompany her.  Tanglewood supported Schneider and contacted The Resource Center regularly to make sure the assisted-living facility was doing the proper things to enable her to be successful in her role assisting with activities.

“They would call me every day to check in to make sure that they were doing right by her,” said Ladena Marks, TRC case manager.

Thanks to Tanglewood, Schneider was able to be successful in her job, and in the process she increased her independence and sense of pride by discovering she no longer required assistance from a job coach.

“I want to keep this job,” Schneider said.  “I really enjoy it, and I enjoy my boss and the residents.”

Madison Fehlman, Tanglewood’s activity director, accepted the Business/Employer of the Year Award.  She said Tanglewood was honored to partner with The Resource Center to provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities.  Fehlman added that as much as Schneider likes her job, Tanglewood’s residents enjoy having her there.

“It is such a wonderful thing for her, she feels important being there,” Fehlman said.  “It’s also really important for our residents having someone come in that is motivated to work and so happy to be there.  It really brightens up their day as well.”

The Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year Award was given to Craig Colburn.  Colburn, a retired business executive, served on The Resource Center’s board of directors for several years before stepping down last year.

“During his time on finance committee, he was a very active member of the committee.  He even volunteered additional personal time to help support us build rings of defense, how as an organization we can grow or retract depending on market needs, especially supporting our Allied Industries,” said Kelly Dimitri, TRC’s chief financial officer and chief operating officer.  “He also has supported us in taking big-picture tracking of fiscal performance by program and focusing in on where we may need improvement plans and what our plans are working toward.”  Also developed a one-page summary of financial results by program to help fellow board members know how TRC is performing based on the prior year and the current budget.”

As a member of TRC’s board and finance committee, Colburn noted, “The biggest agenda item always is to make sure that, financially, we are on the right track as an organization and sustainable so we can complete our mission and continue to serve the most important people we have, which is our clients.”

“I love TRC,” he continued.  “The longer you’re associated with it, the more it weaves into your heart.  It’s a very special organization, it’s a very professional organization, and it serves a very, very vital purpose, and I can’t say enough about how great this organization is.”

The Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of Elmer Muench, a longtime volunteer for The Resource Center.

The Advocate of the Year was Andrew Heggarty, who is a direct support professional at one of the homes operated by The Resource Center.  Heggarty, who has worked for The Resource Center for 17 years, was honored for the ways in which he interacts with the home’s residents, particular one man who has challenging behaviors.

“I enjoy helping, picking people up when they’re down,” he said in explaining his approach to his job.  “Be kind.  You never know what the other person’s going through.  It doesn’t cost anything to be kind to someone.  It’s free, and it probably helps them, it helps you, and it gets passed along.”

He thanked his co-workers for their support and said it takes the efforts of all employees working there to make the home run smoothly.  “You’ve got to rely on members of your team,” he said.

“What we do is fun, and I can’t wait for more journeys,” Heggarty said of his role as a direct support professional working with people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

The Bruce Walford Community Service Award was presented to Patrick Smeraldo.  Smeraldo is a schoolteacher as well as an independent service coordinator with Chautauqua Connections Inc. and its Connections Children’s Coalition.

Heather C. Brown, TRC’s assistant executive director for program operations, said that through Smeraldo’s work overseeing the Connections Children’s Coalition, he has established collaborations with more than 30 other local agencies to take on a number of initiatives to support area children and eliminate gaps in services.

One of those initiatives was the creation of Kids & Sibs summer camp for children with developmental disabilities and their siblings.  To ensure there would be enough funding so everyone could attend camp free of charge, Smeraldo solicited donations and then raised money by walking around Chautauqua Lake.

During a point in the pandemic when there was a shortage of personal protective equipment, Smeraldo used his personal and professional connections to ensure that area schoolchildren had access to face coverings.

“There were just a lot of different tasks that he got engaged in that were really going above and beyond what the normal coalition work was,” Brown said.

“This is the most rewarding work I’ve done,” Smeraldo said of his efforts with the Connections Children’s Coalition.  “There’s a definite need for agencies and school districts to collaborate and work together, because a school really can’t do what an agency can assist them in.”  A large agency such as TRC, that reaches into many areas of the county, can help all 18 school districts, he said.

“That’s really the joy of what I like to do, is marry the two together and provide services for the kids so that they’re able to possibly reach their maximum potential,” Smeraldo said.

While honored to receive the Community Service Award, Smeraldo said more meaningful to him has been the chance to support others through his work with The Resource Center.

“The reward for me is the opportunities that The Resource Center’s opened up for me, and to meet all kinds of new people and do various different projects, whether it’s around health care or children or assisting with events,” Smeraldo said.  “I will carry this with me for the rest of my life, the experience I have gained from here.”

The Health Provider of the Year Award was given to Krista Petry, family nurse practitioner at TRC Community Health Center.  Deja Ferrara and Meg Paolini, nurse managers at The Resource Center, nominated Petry for the award because of the care Petry provides to residents of TRC’s intermediate care facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown.  Petry visits the homes twice a week to assess the health of residents, some of whom have complex medical issues.

“It really does make our job much easier to have her available to us, and she’s just so easy to communicate with,” Ferrara said.   “It’s been extremely helpful and has helped us prevent some serious illnesses from progressing.”

She and Paolini emphasized that Petry is able to gain deeper insight into the residents by visiting them in their homes, rather than seeing them at TRC Community Health Center.

“She is able to spend quality time with the individuals and see them in their own settings.  She’s done a lot of very kind things that have lent themselves to going the extra mile,” Paolini said.  “She is just really an asset to the individuals that we support by virtue of the fact that she can see them in their own environment and really get a good sense of what’s going on in their own homes.”

Petry said she is committed to providing the best care possible to all of her patients, and that spending time with the residents of TRC’s homes, the nursing staff and the residents’ families assists her in accomplishing that.

“I don’t feel that every person, every resident, needs the same treatments, and so I really focus on trying to identify what’s going to work best for that person,” Petry said.  “I feel like I am making a difference and I see the improvements in my patients, and that is absolutely heart-warming and my goal.”

Petry credited her co-workers at TRC Community Health Center, nurses and staff at TRC’s homes and the staff at the agency’s day programs for helping her to be able to be successful in treating her patients.

The Carl Cappa Humanitarian Award was presented to Dory Matwijkow.  Matwijkow has a son named Austin who is on the autism spectrum and lives in a TRC home.  She and her family have supported the Step Up for Autism walk The Resource Center hosts in conjunction with Filling the Gap, Inc.  When the event couldn’t be held in 2020 due to the pandemic, Matwijkow organized her own Step Up for Autism walk in her hometown of Grand Island.  It was so successful, she held the event again last year.  Each walk generated more than $10,000 for Filling the Gap.

Matwijkow, who is a professional pastry chef, also bakes treats for humans and canines under the moniker Austin’s Angels.  She then sells the treats to family and friends, donating the money to Filling the Gap.  In addition, Matwijkow and her husband, John, have donated thousands of dollars to The Resource Center to support the creation of TRC’s Edgewater Art House.

“We really appreciate Dory and all of her efforts, and all of the money that comes our way through her different events,” said Victoria Trass Bardo, Filling the Gap’s development and events manager.  “We’re very grateful.”  She added that The Resource Center and Filling the Gap look forward to having Matwijkow and the rest of her Austin’s Angels in attendance when TRC and FTG hold their first in-person Step Up for Autism walk in three years September 24.

Matwijkow was pleasantly surprised by the success of the walks she organized.  When she was planning her first walk two years ago, her initial goal was to raise $5,000.  Thanks to her efforts and the support of her family and friends, she doubled that amount.

“It was life-changing.  It was incredible.  It makes me feel like I’m doing a really good thing for people that need the money,” Matwijkow said of her fund-raising walks and bake sales.  “It just makes me realize that I have a lot of friends that appreciate what I do.”

She encouraged others to take the initiative to support causes important to them.

“I wish more people would try to do something,” Matwijkow said.  “We all have a lot of free time, and just to try to raise some money just to donate it back, because it makes you feel really good.”

The Humanitarian of the Year Award is named in memory of Carl Cappa, a Jamestown businessman and philanthropist who was dedicated to supporting the community, including people with disabilities.

Also recognized at the awards celebration was Maggie Rivera.  She 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 Rivera for her job performance as a member of The Resource Center’s Environmental Services crew that maintains the Interstate 86 rest area in Ellery.

“She’s dedicated, devoted, consistent, and always goes above and beyond to get her duties done.  We never have issues with her.  The quality of her workmanship is fantastic.  She fills in when we need her to fill in for other needs that arise,” said Dan Micek, production superintendent at TRC’s manufacturing facilities and the head of the Environment Services operation.  “Her dependability is top-notch for us.”

Rivera, who has worked for The Resource Center for eight years, said she has made a lot of friends among her co-workers at the rest area – including the man who would become her husband.

“I feel very honored and special to receive this,” she said of her award.  “It means a lot to me.”

The recipients of two other awards were unable to attend the event.  Nichole Davis was chosen to receive the Personal Success Award.  After working various jobs, Davis became a certified nursing assistant and obtained a job at a senior facility.  She then achieved one of her goals by getting a job as a pharmacy technician.

Also unable to attend the event was Virginia Lehman, who was selected to receive the Outstanding Achievement Award.  Last year Lehman moved into an independent living situation, and this has enabled her to become more self-sufficient.  And after smoking for many years and saying she would never quit, Lehman gave up smoking.

Closing remarks were given by Richard Erickson, the President of TRC’s Board of Directors.  “I’m humbled to be here,” Erickson said.  “You guys really amplify the mission of The Resource Center.”  He also shared ed a quote from former President Ronald Reagan:

“We can’t help everyone, but everyone can help someone.”

The Awards Selection Committee was composed of Vicky Bardo, who organized the awards luncheon; Jeanette Caprino, president and co-founder of Kidney Connection; Vesna Carlson, library para-professional with Jamestown Public Schools; Kathy Field, a retired TRC employee who helped organize the awards celebration for many years; Kathy McMaster, community member; and Michael Suppa, retired vice president of Filling the Gap.

Sponsors of the Ability Awareness Awards Celebration included NYSID, HM Insurance and RxBenefits.  TRC’s Steve Waterson was the master of ceremonies, while TRC employees Chris Anderson and Austin Mitchell handled the photography and videography responsibilities.

Click here to make a donation in honor of one of the award recipients.

Richard Erickson was elected the Chair of The Resource Center’s Board of Directors during the agency’s Annual Meeting, held at TRC’s administrative offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

Also elected as officers for the Board’s 2022-23 term were Richard Kimball, Vice Chair; Dr. Dawn Columbare, Secretary; and Dr. Todd Jacobson, Treasurer.

Elected to two-year Board terms were Timothy Adam, Douglas Anderson, Robert Goold, Donna Haenggi, Patricia Perlee, and Barbara Stewart. Tim, Doug, Donna and Patty were reelected to the Board.  Bob and Barb took the places of Rebecca Hamlet Kapple and Wayne Ormsby, who each had served on the Board for several years. Bob joins the board for the first time, while Barb served on the Board previously.

Elected to the Nominating Committee for The Resource Center’s 2023 election were Wayne Hotelling, June Jacobson and Gregory Krauza.

Reports on The Resource Center’s 2021 activities were given by Patty, who was the Board Chair the previous three years, and Executive Director Denise Jones. Todd gave the financial report, in which he noted The Resource Center finished the year with a positive net operating result. It marked the seventh straight year TRC has achieved a positive net operating result.

In appreciation for her years of service as Board Chair, Patty received a painting made by an artist with disabilities in The Resource Center’s art program, as well as a plaque-mounted gavel. Wayne Ormsby and Rebecca also received paintings.

The meeting included a presentation by John Vogan, Residence Coordinator Supervisor, and Susan Gutierrez, Art Teacher, about TRC’s KeyBank Art House at Edgewater.  The facility, to be built along Eighth Street across the Chadakoin River from McCrea Point Park, will become the new home of The Resource Center’s art program for people with disabilities.

The Resource Center is a not-for-profit organization that has been supporting people with disabilities in Chautauqua County since 1958.  In addition, TRC performs subcontracting work for local businesses and the federal government at manufacturing centers in Dunkirk and Jamestown.  For more information, phone 716-483-2344 or visit www.resourcecenter.org.

Dan and Beth Hocking, Owners of ACME The Appliance Store, recently donated a Weber Gas Grill that will be used for a drawing to support the 26^th Annual TRC Golf Classic. 

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. In its first 25 years, the tournament has netted close to $1.7 million for the TRC Foundation Fund, which raises money to improve the lives of people with disabling conditions in Chautauqua County.

 “We are very thankful for The Resource Center and the positive and lasting impact they have on our community,” said Dan Hocking.  “ACME The Appliance Store is honored to donate this Weber Gas Grill to help raise money for the TRC Golf Classic.  With Summer right around the corner, this will be a very desirable item!  Beth and I are strong believers in giving back to the community.  The Resource Center makes a difference in people’s lives on a daily basis, and we are happy to continue to support their efforts.”

The 2022 TRC Golf Classic is scheduled for July 25 at Moon Brook Country Club in Jamestown.  For more information or to sponsor, please visit www.trcgolfclassic.com.  

Picture:  l to r – Josh Holsinger, Special Olympics Athlete; Matt Carlson, Special Olympics Athlete; and Dan Hocking, Co-Owner, ACME The Appliance Store 

The Resource Center has started a regular feature in which we showcase some of our incredible staff on social media in an “Employee Spotlight” segment. Here are some of the people we’ve featured so far:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

April is Child Abuse Prevention Month and Sexual Assault Awareness Month.  Again this year, The Resource Center joined with advocates locally and throughout the world to shine a light on these causes.

 

 

In accordance with its by-laws, The Resource Center hereby announces its General Membership Meeting and Election will be held Monday, June 4, in TRC’s Administrative Office Building at 200 Dunham Avenue in Celoron.

The event will begin at 6:00 p.m.  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 May 7, 2021.

If interested in attending the meeting, please contact Selina Phillips at 716-661-1412 or selina.phillips@resourcecenter.org.

All Active Members in good standing who are unable to attend the meeting are encouraged to vote in the election online.  Click here to cast your vote.

The tentative meeting agenda is as follows:

1. Call to Order – 6:15
2. Approval of the minutes of the 2021 General Membership Meeting
3. President’s Report – Patricia Perlee
4. Treasurer’s Report – Todd Jacobson, MD
5. Executive Director’s Report – Denise Jones
6. Presentation – An update on plans for our “KeyBank Art House at Edgewater”
7. Election (see nominating slates below) – Dawn Columbare, DNP, Secretary
8. Approval of Chapter By-Laws Revisions
9. Recognition of immediate Past President Patricia Perlee
10. Recognition of Outgoing Directors Rebecca Hamlet Kapple and Wayne Ormsby
11. Adjournment

 

The Nominating Committee — composed of June Jacobson, Chair; Wayne Hotelling; and Julie McCarthy — 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 2023 Election:

Officers (one-year term)
President — Richard Erickson
Vice President — Richard Kimball
Secretary — Dawn Columbare, DNP
Treasurer — Todd Jacobson, MD

Directors (two-year term)
Timothy Adam
Douglas Anderson
Robert Goold
Donna Haenggi
Patricia Perlee
Barbara Stewart

Nominating Committee
June Jacobson
Gregory Krauza
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 2022 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.

A Resource Center employee has received national recognition for the supports she provides to people with disabling conditions.

Jennifer Herron has been named a Direct Support Professional of the Year by ANCOR (the American Network of Community Options and Resources). ANCOR selected Jen as New York State’s DSP of the Year. She and other honorees from across the country were recognized April 13 in Miami during ANCOR’s Annual Conference.

Jen, a Sinclairville resident, has worked for The Resource Center for 20 years.  In her role as a Life Coach, she supports people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, most of whom live independently with assistance from staff. Jen helps people navigate the challenges of living on their own and supports them so they have the opportunity to enjoy positive, self-directed lives. When people face important decisions, Jen helps them understand the available options and the likely outcomes of each. When people subsequently make decisions that have undesirable results, Jen works with them in a respectful way to assess what went wrong and determine how to move forward.

“I want to thank all of my superiors for believing in me and thinking so greatly of me,” Jen said. “They really have my back, and I really, really appreciate all that they do.”

ANCOR chose Jen as a DSP of the Year because of her commitment to the people she supports.

“Whether assisting with money management to fulfill a dream of purchasing a home or supporting the dream of motherhood, Jennifer works to ensure the people she supports achieve their biggest dreams and live their best, most meaningful lives,” ANCOR noted. “Jennifer builds trust with the people she supports to discover what’s most important to them. Her calm, judgment-free approach gives her the information she needs to present various scenarios in which they can accomplish their goals. No matter the choices they make, Jennifer commits to identifying the pathways, resources and supports required to transform the dreams of the people she supports into reality.”

TRC officials were pleased with Jen’s selection as DSP of the Year.

“Jen is such an asset to our team and the people she supports,” said Terri Johnson, Director of Employment and Community-Based Services. “As a Life Coach, Jen wears many hats for the people she supports. Jen has faced so many scenarios when supporting people that many would have given up, but Jen always sticks with people and never stops trying to help them find a better option. We are so proud to have her on our team and couldn’t be more excited that she is being recognized on a national platform.”

This marks Jen’s second major honor. She was The Resource Center’s Employee of the Year for 2019.

ANCOR advocates for more than 1,800 service providers nationwide that support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Since 2007, ANCOR’s annual awards have recognized direct support professionals who provide long-term supports and services to people with disabilities.

“This year’s honorees were chosen from more than 300 nominations that truly represent the indelible impact our direct support workforce has, both in the lives of the people they support and in the communities where they serve,” ANCOR said in announcing the award recipients. “These extraordinary professionals work tirelessly to solve problems, engineer solutions, adapt, innovate, listen, and support, all in service of ensuring that people with intellectual and developmental disabilities can live and thrive in the community.”

“From helping people with activities of daily living to supporting them to connect with long-lost family members and so much more, direct support professionals like Jennifer are proof-positive of the crucial roles this workforce plays in communities across the country,” said Heidi Mansir, the President of ANCOR’s Board of Directors. “ANCOR is proud to celebrate Jennifer and the 50 other professionals who comprise the 2022 class of outstanding honorees.”

Barbara Merrill, ANCOR’s Chief Executive Officer, referenced the current shortage of direct support professionals nationwide and its negative impacts on the ability of service providers to meet the needs and desires of people with disabilities and their families.

“This is the 16th consecutive year ANCOR has presented the Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards, and the third class to have been honored since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic,” she said. “The challenges presented by the pandemic have collided with a recruitment and retention crisis in our workforce to wreak previously unthinkable havoc on our system of home- and community-based supports.  For that reason, there’s never been a more poignant time to celebrate people like Jennifer and the more than four dozen other DSPs who exemplify excellence in our field.”

Click here to listen to an interview with Jen.

Henry Wesley has experienced a lifetime of tragedy and triumph.  And now, after decades of possessing only the barest of information about his mother and the rest of his family, he recently got to meet new-found relatives for the first time.

Stories of people separated from their families at an early age can be heart-wrenching, and Henry’s story is harder than most.  He was born in South Carolina in 1945.  His parents split up while Henry was an infant, and he and his mother moved to New York State.  Noticing that Henry didn’t seem to be developing at the appropriate pace for a 2-year-old, his mother took him to see a doctor.  The physician diagnosed Henry as having cerebral palsy, developmental disabilities and physical impairments.  His mother realized she couldn’t afford to provide Henry the care he would need, so she surrendered custody of her son to the State of New York.

Young Henry was sent to live at the Wassaic State School, a large center in Dutchess County that was home to thousands of people with developmental disabilities.  Similar to other state schools, Wassaic was plagued by overcrowding and understaffing, which resulted in the severe neglect and mistreatment of the people who lived there.

Henry arrived at Wassaic in 1948, and the following year he was transferred to the Willowbrook State School on Staten Island.  He languished there until 1972, when media reports of the terrible conditions at Willowbrook led Albany leaders to begin the process of reforming New York State’s system of caring for people with disabilities.  Still, Henry would spend 15 more years in institutions before coming to Chautauqua County to live in a new community residence operated by The Resource Center.

Since leaving the institutional setting, Henry has thrived.  He has become a passionate advocate for people with disabilities.  Computers have enabled Henry, who does not communicate verbally, to share his life story with others to help ensure that the maltreatment he and others received in institutions will never again be allowed to occur.

His greatest personal achievement occurred November 5, 1994, when he married the love of his life, Jean.  The two first met in 1972 after Henry had moved back to Wassaic, where Jean had lived for more than 30 years.  Later, they rekindled their relationship after they came to The Resource Center.

It was Jean’s own ancestry search that inspired Henry to hunt for his long-lost family.

Four years ago, Jean was able to find information about her mother, who died when Jean was 7 months old.  Jean learned where her mother was buried, and she and Henry traveled to New York City to visit Jean’s mother’s gravesite.  (During that visit, they saw there was no marker at the grave.  Jean subsequently had markers created for her mother and two other relatives buried in the same plot.  She had started making plans to return to the cemetery in 2020, but that trip has been delayed because of COVID.)

Prior to this, Henry had been ambivalent about pursuing his own family history.  Having been abandoned by his mother, he had little interest in learning anything about his family.  But Jean’s success in finding out about her family history led Henry to embark on a similar search.  With support from his self-determination assistant, Britnie Barmore (who had supported Jean to track down her mother), Henry submitted a DNA sample and waited to see what he would learn.

The results have been more extensive than Henry could have imagined.  DNA matches came pouring in.  At first, Henry wasn’t ready to act on the information he received.  But over the course of two months he warmed to the idea and asked Britnie to assist him.

“Britnie has helped me the last eight-ish months by doing advanced searches with the information I had from my admission summary report from Wassaic,” Henry said.  “Together, we searched through public family trees that showed up as `hints’ on these advanced searches.  We were able to locate a person who had the same first name, middle initial and date of birth as the information I had on my mother from the Wassaic admission report.  We clicked on that profile and noticed that we had an ancestor in that tree who was a direct DNA match, listed as my second or third cousin.”

Henry and Britnie contacted the cousin, Deborrah Wesley, who at first was skeptical that her relative was Henry’s mother.  But Deborrah started asking other family members about Henry, and she eventually realized she and he were related.  Britnie supported Henry to phone Deborrah to ask some questions, and he was able to learn that Deborrah was his mother’s cousin.  He also learned he was his mother’s only child.

Henry also learned his mother, Lena Belle Badger White, had died in 2014, so he couldn’t ask her questions about his early years and why she had surrendered custody of him.  But Deborrah has given Henry a lot of information about his mother and has sent him photographs of his mother, his maternal grandparents and his mother’s siblings.

Deborrah referenced another cousin, Lillian, who is still living.  “I remember Lil, as she used to visit me while I lived at Willowbrook,” Henry said.  “Lil said the last time we saw each other, she was about 15, and I was around 5.”

The mention of Lillian’s name brought back some memories Henry had suppressed.  He remembered Lil visiting him at Willowbrook, and he remembers his mother visited him there during the 1950s but then stopped coming.

Information provided by Deborrah has helped answer some of Henry’s questions while also deepening the mystery surrounding his early years.  Deborrah said other family members stated Henry’s disabilities resulted from a fall as a baby.  She and Lil also said that his mother had been persuaded by her boyfriend to surrender custody of Henry when he was 2.

It was also frustrating for Henry to discover that his admission report from Wassaic contained incorrect information regarding family names.

Having connected with his mother’s side of the family, Henry was eager to know more about his father, William Maner, and other relatives on his paternal side.  Deborrah put Henry in touch with his half-sister Margaret, and the two chatted by video.

“My sister sent me many pictures of my father, who passed away in 2014 as well, and also told me that I have about 20 other siblings,” Henry said.

Going from having almost no information about his family, to learning he has about 20 siblings and a large extended family, has been a lot for Henry to absorb.

“This is a lot of information to take in, but it has cleared up years of questions, and I am very overjoyed to find out I have brothers and sisters who want to be a part of my life,” Henry said recently.  “I am happy to have made these connections, and I look forward to meeting my family in person.”

FAMILY VISIT

That day came sooner than Henry could have imagined.   In early spring four members of Henry’s family traveled to Jamestown to meet him.  Deborrah and her cousin Alise Leslie came from their homes in North Carolina; Willie Smith (the brother of Henry’s mother) and his wife, Carolyn, arrived from Peekskill, NY.  They came to The Resource Center home where Henry and Jean live for a family gathering that was decades overdue.

As soon as he learned his family members had pulled up to the home in their cars, Henry eagerly maneuvered his electric wheelchair to the living room window to catch a glimpse of his relatives.  Willie and Carolyn arrived first, and Henry graciously greeted them as they entered the home.  Upon seeing Henry, Carolyn declared, “He does look like the Wesleys.”

After Henry introduced Willie and Carolyn to Jean, the group made its way to the kitchen table to talk.  Carolyn had brought along family photos, and she and Willie took turns showing the photos to Henry and explaining who was pictured.  A short while later, Deborrah and Alise arrived at the home.  Thoughtfully, they brought gifts for Jean and Britnie.

Deborrah presented Henry with a framed montage of photos that also contained a shortened version of their extended family tree.

Henry shared photos of his life, including his wedding album and pictures of the places he has visited.  He also used his computer to play recorded messages describing the peaks and valleys of his life – from low points such as his experiences at Willowbrook, to his courtship with Jean and their marriage.

“You have had a full life,” Deborrah said while looking through Henry’s photo albums.  “I’m glad.”

During the reunion, Henry learned more about his history.  Willie said that when was a baby, he and his mother had lived with Henry’s great-grandmother, whose house was a gathering place for family.  So many relatives back then would have had knowledge of Henry.

Willie also remembered accompanying Henry’s mother on one occasion when she went to visit Henry at Willowbrook.  Willie said he was a young boy at the time, and because Willowbrook didn’t allow children to visit he had to wait in the car.  Willie also said Henry’s mother made the decision to stop visiting her son because Henry would cry uncontrollably whenever her mother left to go home, and the experience became too painful for her.

As they talked around the kitchen table, it was heart-warming to see the bonds that had formed so quickly among Henry and his relatives.  “I’m so glad I answered you,” Deborrah told Henry, referring to when he first contacted her after obtaining his DNA results.

Reflecting on his family visit a couple of days later, Henry was still basking in the glow of the reunion and the positive results that came from his DDNA test.

“I have often thought about my family, and wondered if they think of me too,” he said.  “I am overjoyed to have been able to find my family, and it brings me great joy that they took the time to travel to visit me.  We shared stories about our lives, many pictures, laughs, and even some tears.  I am grateful that this was able to come together the way that it did.”

And there still are more family connections to be made.  Henry and Jean have been invited to attend a family reunion in Florida in December, where they’ll have the opportunity to meet relatives on his father’s side – relatives who, until a few months ago, were unknown to Henry.

Henry went decades without knowing much about his personal history and his roots.  But now he is making up for lost time and learning what it means to have family.

TRC’s Edgewater Art House is one step closer to becoming a reality thanks to a $195,000 Empire State Development grant obtained through the efforts of the City of Jamestown.

The Edgewater Art House will become the new home of our art program for people with disabilities.  The facility will be located next to our Edgewater Day Program on Eighth Street.  The Art House will include many opportunities for art including painting, drawing, mixed media as well as ceramics.  A gallery space will allow those participating in the art classes to have an opportunity to showcase their art.

Last year, TRC completed a successful capital campaign that raised $315,000 for the Art House.  However, we subsequently learned a dramatic increase in the cost of construction materials left us well short of the amount needed to create the art house.

In response, The Resource Center sought the City’s assistance in obtaining state funding to complete the project.  Using information provided by TRC, Mayor Eddie Sundquist and his team applied for an Empire State Development grant.  Receipt of the funding means construction can begin.

TRC officials were excited to hear of the City’s successful grant proposal.

“We are thrilled to have been awarded this grant,” said Denise Jones, Executive Director.  “The Edgewater Art House will be the new home of our award-winning art program and will make it possible for more people with disabilities to develop their artistic talents.  In addition to providing a serene location that is sure to inspire artists, this beautiful facility will become another jewel in the City of Jamestown’s waterfront revitalization initiative.  We look forward to breaking ground this spring.

“We are extremely grateful to Empire State Development for recognizing the significance of this project and its impact on our community.  And we are indebted to Mayor Sundquist and his team for supporting this project and leading the effort to obtain this grant.”

Currently, TRC’s art program is housed within the Day Habilitation Program at the Michael J. Raymond Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue.  Since this is a state-certified site, only people with developmental disabilities who are enrolled in TRC’s Day Programs are eligible to participate in the art program.  The Edgewater Art House will be a non-certified site, meaning we can open our art classes to people with developmental disabilities who do not participate in our Day Programs, as well as to people with behavioral health challenges.  TRC also intends to give the general community the opportunity to participate in art classes.

Additional funding for the project has been received from KeyBank and First Niagara Foundation, Filling the Gap, staff of The Resource Center, and local foundation and private donors.