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.

Denise Jones has again been recognized as one of the most influential people in Western New York.

Denise, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer, is ranked No. 67 on Buffalo Business First’s “Power 250” list. The list reflects those who, in Business First’s opinion, are the 250 most influential people in the eight-county region. This is the seventh straight year Denise has been included on the Power 250 list since she became TRC’s Executive Director in 2015. She is the highest-ranked person who is based in Chautauqua County.

Business First’s 10^th annual Power 250 list and rankings were determined from a consensus of the members of its newsroom.

“Factors we consider include length of time in an executive position, companies with sizeable employment and payrolls, and non-profits making an impact on community welfare,” said Donna Collins, Business First’s Editor-in-Chief. “The 2022 Power 250 showcases people who set the goals, communicated to all their factions and then led the charge for employees and clients to attain prosperity, security and success.”

Denidse, a certified public accountant, joined The Resource Center in 1990 as the agency’s first Internal Auditor. In 1997 she was named Finance Director, and she worked in that capacity until becoming Chief Financial Officer and Assistant Executive Director for Administrative Services in 2004. In 2008, she was promoted to Chief Operating Officer and Associate Executive Director.

TRC officials were pleased Denise has again been recognized as one of the region’s premier business leaders.

“The Board of Directors congratulates Denise on her recognition in the Power 250 list of the most influential people in Western New York,” said Patricia Perlee, President. “Denise continues to lead TRC through challenging times, all while recognizing and understanding the needs of staff, clients, self-advocates, and families. This distinction by Buffalo Business First is well earned, and TRC is very fortunate to have Denise as our Executive Director.”

The Resource Center has been supporting people with disabilities and their families since 1958. The Resource Center also provides a variety of health-related services that can be utilized by anyone, regardless of whether they have a disability. TRC also performs subcontracting work for the federal government and local businesses at manufacturing facilities in Jamestown and Dunkirk. To learn more, phone 716-483-2344.

CAPTION: Posing with the items to be given away during the monthlong Blingo prize drawing are Victoria Bardo, left, development and event manager for Filling the Gap, and Cindy Hitchcock, FTG’s vice president of business and finance.

People who enjoy the excitement of a daily prize drawing can take part in the sixth annual “Sassy Baggs & Beyond Blingo” fund-raiser to benefit people with disabilities.

Typically for the Blingo event, people gather at The Resource Center for a night of bingo, with designer handbags as prizes.  That wasn’t possible again this year because of the pandemic, so instead organizers have created a “20 Prizes in 20 Days” event.

Every weekday starting April 4 and lasting through the end of the month, Filling the Gap, Inc., will hold a drawing for one of 20 prizes.  Items include handbags, gift cards, a smart speaker, a Bluetooth speaker, a vacuum sealer, a blender, a toolkit, and a video doorbell.  All of the prizes can be viewed at The Resource Center’s Facebook page.

The online version of Blingo was introduced last year because of the pandemic.  Victoria Trass Bardo, development and events manager at Filling the Gap, said that while The Resource Center and Filling the Gap hope their other traditional community events can be held this year, organizers couldn’t bring a large group of people together for Blingo.

“We were optimistic about hosting an in-person, fun-filled event in 2022, but it is not possible given the guidelines we are following at this time,” said Bardo, adding that the online Blingo will follow the same format as last year.

“Our 2021 Blingo event was such a success that we are planning on an online event once again this year.  There are 20 awesome items up for grabs.  We hope these unique items will inspire everyone to purchase their tickets soon,” she said.

A $20 ticket gives the buyer one chance in each of the daily drawings.  People can improve their odds of winning by buying multiple tickets.  Tickets can be bought online at the Filling the Gap web site or in person at the Felice Corporate Center, 92 Fairmount Avenue in Jamestown, and The Resource Center’s administrative offices at 200 Dunham Avenue in Celoron.  Tickets can be purchased until March 31.

The Blingo event is being organized by Filling the Gap, which works with The Resource Center to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Chautauqua County.  Proceeds will benefit The Resource Center Look Good Fund at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  The Look Good Fund supports people with disabilities in areas such as personal care, personal appearance, clothing, protective gear, and transportation.  The fund was established by the late Margaret Look, who in the 1960s and ‘70s was a member of The Resource Center’s board of directors and was news editor at The Post-Journal.

Other events scheduled for this year include a Slow Roll Pedal Party on June 18 in Dunkirk; the Laurel Memorial Run and Walk on July 15 and 16; the TRC Golf Classic on July 25; the Mark Pacheco WOW Fund Lip Sync Battle on August 26; and Step Up for Autism on September 24.  For more information about Blingo or any of the other events conducted by The Resource Center and Filling the Gap, phone Bardo at 716-661-1477.

Filling the Gap, Inc., has announced its 2021 grants, awarding $81,277 to support people with disabilities.

Filling the Gap is a Jamestown-based not-for-profit that works with The Resource Center and other organizations to support Chautauqua County residents who are poor, distressed and underprivileged, especially people with disabilities.  Each year, Filling the Gap solicits grant requests from TRC and other organizations within the Filling the Gap network.

This year’s funding requests totaled $242,503.   Filling the Gap’s grants committee studied the requests and recommended which ones to fund, and FTG’s board of directors agreed with the committee’s recommendations.  Some requests were denied because other funding sources are available.

With the amount awarded this year, Filling the Gap has now given out $1,531,695 in grants since 1995.  This year’s awards are as follows:

• $9,000 to The Resource Center to develop a Project SEARCH Program to provide employability training and workplace internships for youths with significant disabilities.
• $8,490 to TRC Community Health Center for a mapping system to measure and visualize the pressure between a person and a surface. This system will justify the need for pressure-relieving cushions, mattresses and wheelchair parts.
• $8,000 to TEAM Services for transportation vouchers.
• $7,385 to TRC for annual updates and new technology for its robot that is used by staff to enhance the communication and social skills of people with autism.
• $5,000 to TRC’s Counseling and Psychiatric Services to facilitate the purchase of equipment and supplies for a mental health play-therapy room to assist children and adolescents in recovering from exposure to traumatic events.
• $5,000 to TRC to help cover startup costs of opening a second School-Based Health Center within the Jamestown Public Schools system.
• $5,000 to TRC to support advocacy initiatives.
• $5,000 to TRC’s staff assistance program to help TRC and FTG employees people overcome barriers that could negatively impact their jobs.
• $5,000 to TRC to support supervisory training.
• $5,000 to TRC to translate human resources documents and trainings into Spanish to assist employees whose primary language is Spanish.
• $4,000 to TRC Community Health Center to buy a treadmill and vital-signs monitor for the physical therapy department.
• $3,000 to TRC to cover the costs of holding a Slow Roll Pedal Party inclusive cycling event in Dunkirk.
• $3,000 to the Chautauqua Connections Children’s Coalition.
• $2,000 to TRC to support structured skill-development programs within its “Gateways” and “Passages” Personalized Recovery Oriented Services programs.
• $2,000 to TRC Community Health Center to buy equipment and supplies for the occupational therapy department.
• $2,000 to TRC Community Health Center to buy equipment and supplies for the speech therapy department.
• $1,000 to TRC to help fund construction of a replica of our Carl Cappa Building at the Chautauqua Safety Village.
• $1,000 to TRC to support the Sprout Film Festival.
• $500 to TRC’s Counseling & Psychiatric Services for health equipment and supplies.
• $452 to TRC’s Primary Care Office to buy equipment and supplies.

In addition, Filling the Gap’s board approved a request from The Resource Center to direct the proceeds from this year’s TRC Golf Classic (about $44,000) toward the purchase and installation of overhead lift systems at two TRC homes.

Filling the Gap officials are proud they could provide money to support a variety of initiatives.

“Filling the Gap is happy to continue awarding grants to The Resource Center and the corporations within the FTG network.  We were especially glad to be able to fund such a diverse variety of requests this year,” said Cindy Hitchcock, vice president of business and finance.

Most of the money for the grants comes from fund-raising events that Filling the Gap facilitates in partnership with The Resource Center.  Proceeds from these events are transferred to the various TRC endowment funds at the Chautauqua Region Community Foundation.  The income from these endowment funds is used to fulfill the grant requests.

For more information about Filling the Gap, phone 716-661-1519 or visit www.fillingthegap.net.

The Resource Center was awarded $33,580 in grants from the Trustee Management Board of NYSARC Trust Services to support TRC’s guardianship and recreation programs in 2021.

NYSARC Trust Services administers supplemental needs trusts and pooled trusts that improve the lives of people with disabilities by enabling them to maintain eligibility for Medicaid and other means-tested government benefit programs.  For 2021, NYSARC Trust Services fulfilled its commitment to enhancing the lives of people with disabilities by awarding $3,080,500 to chapters of The Arc New York statewide.

The Resource Center received $16,000 to provide guardianship services for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities who would not otherwise have a legal guardian or advocate.  Supported by staff and community volunteers, The Resource Center’s guardianship program provides guardianship supports and services to three people and is ready to assist one more person as an alternate standby guardian.  TRC’s guardianship program supports these people by giving them a sense of family and belonging, conducting person-centered planning and advocating on their behalf.  TRC’s guardianship committee oversees their care and assists with making critical medical decisions.

Besides the grant money, there is no funding for TRC’s guardianship program.  As a result, TRC relies on financial support from families, particularly the families of those for whom TRC serves as standby guardian.  For more information about the guardianship program, phone 716-661-1069.

In addition to the guardianship money, NYSARC Trust Services awarded The Resource Center $17,530.36 to support recreational opportunities for people with disabilities.  Uses of the money included buying and erecting a swing set at one of TRC’s homes and enabling people to attend summer camp.

The Resource Center has supported people with disabilities and their families in Chautauqua County since 1958.  To learn more about the services TRC provides, phone 716-483-2344 or visit www.resourcecenter.org.

NYSARC Trust Services has administered supplemental needs trusts since 1972, helping thousands of people with disabilities protect their eligibility for government benefits and improve their quality of life.  NYSARC Trust Services’ programs give people with disabilities the opportunity to remain in their communities with greater comfort and independence while providing peace of mind to their family and loved ones.

NYSARC Trust Services administers pooled supplemental needs trusts to help families plan for the future of a loved one with a disability, preserve income and assets for Medicaid planning purposes and long-term care, and protect unexpected monetary windfalls.  To learn more, phone 518-439-8323 or visit www.nysarctrustservices.org.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation has awarded The Resource Center $5,000 to help expand TRC’s successful job-retention initiative to businesses in Dunkirk.

The money will be used to bolster The Resource Center’s SAFER (Supporting and Facilitating Employment Retention) program.  SAFER provides supports to employers to improve worker retention, while supporting employees living in poverty to reduce their need for public assistance and become successful in their careers.

Resource Center officials believe people of low and moderate income face a number of issues.  Situational stressors related to generational poverty can affect people’s ability to effectively maintain employment.  SAFER seeks to resolve employment barriers by providing employees and businesses with enhanced supports, opportunities and awareness.  One of SAFER’s objectives is to keep people employed so they can gain the experience and training necessary to move into higher-paying jobs, thereby improving their chances of achieving economic stability and moving out of poverty.

SAFER has been operating in Jamestown for several years.  The grant-funded program has engaged 151 employees at 14 businesses.  Assistance has been provided more than 500 times, and over 100 of those occurrences involved resolving financial barriers.  Based on the program’s success, The Resource Center decided to offer SAFER to Dunkirk businesses.

“Our Board of Directors was pleased to support this project,” said Diane Hannum, the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation’s Executive Director.  “TRC’s SAFER program has a record of success in an area that is crucial to the wellbeing of our community – workforce development.”

Terri Johnson, The Resource Center’s Director of Employment and Community-Based Services, oversees the SAFER program.  “We are very excited to bring this program, that has had great results in Jamestown, to the Dunkirk area,” she said.  “We are very grateful to the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation for seeing the value in the program and allowing us to expand it in the Dunkirk area.”

Johnson said the grant money from the Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation will be used to cover the cost of providing emergency assistance for things such as vehicle repairs, gasoline gift cards, transportation vouchers, child care, utility bills, or warm coats and boots for those who walk to and from work in winter.

“Anything that will keep them able to go to work,” she said of the potential uses of the emergency assistance money, which is intended to be temporary support while individuals develop financial stability with their SAFER success coach.

The Resource Center’s initial goals are to work with at least one business and support 12 employees living in ALICE (Asset Limited, Income Restrained, Employed) households.  Success will be measured by whether people are still employed 90 days after entering the SAFER program, and TRC wants the program to achieve a 90 percent retention rate.

Resource Center officials said that, ultimately, the assistance provided through SAFER is designed to help reduce poverty by providing people in ALICE families with needed support and resources that will assist them in maintaining employment and increasing economic self-sufficiency.

SAFER was created using concepts from the Bridges Out of Poverty and Working Bridges models.  The program also incorporates strategies used in The Resource Center’s staff assistance program for TRC’s own employees.  Those initiatives recognize that poverty is not only a lack of money, but also a lack of resources.  The SAFER program will develop partnerships with community organizations that can assist in reducing barriers to maintaining employment.

SAFER representatives will work with businesses to inform employees about the program’s availability.  People who want to participate will undergo an assessment to determine their level of need.  Each participant will have a customized employment plan.

The City of Dunkirk is also committing money toward starting the SAFER project in the city.

For more information about SAFER, phone Johnson at 716-661-1433.

The Northern Chautauqua Community Foundation grant was made possible through the foundation’s generous community-minded donors. The NCCF is committed to improving the community through the promotion of local philanthropy, strategic grantmaking and community leadership.  The organization has distributed more than $17 million in the form of grants and scholarships within the community.  For more information, phone 716-366-4892 or visit nccfoundation.org.

Kelly Dimitri, The Resource Center’s Chief Financial Officer, has received regional recognition.

Kelly was selected for inclusion on this year’s Buffalo Business First “40 Under 40” list, which highlights the accomplishments of 40 business people under the age of 40 in the eight-county area of Western New York.  She and the other honorees were recognized recently at a luncheon in Buffalo.

Kelly joined TRC in 2012 as Finance Director and was promoted into her current position in 2014.

As Chief Financial Officer, Kelly oversees the finance, payroll, purchasing, and human resources operations of TRC, which has an $84 million operating budget and 1,300 employees.  She is regarded as a knowledgeable, valued resource among her peers state-wide.  She helps to lead initiatives involving The Arc New York and chairs the financial management team at the Developmental Disabilities Alliance of Western New York.

Well connected in the Northern Chautauqua County community, Dimitri has built relationships that have resulted in mutually beneficial collaborations.  She is the Treasurer of the United Way of Northern Chautauqua County.

Dimitri embraces TRC’s mission of supporting people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives.  She also has been strident in advocating for better wages for direct support professionals, and she told Business First her main goal is to help secure more state funding in order to raise the wages of workers who provide direct support to people with disabilities.

TRC officials said Dimitri’s recognition by the WNY business community is well-deserved.

“Kelly is tireless in her in her efforts to support individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities and our staff, and in exemplifying the mission of our organization,” said Denise Jones, TRC’’s Executive Director.  “Kelly is always on the lookout for opportunities to give, learn and improve upon what we do, which ultimately enhance the quality of life for those who are fortunate to know her.  She truly is an exceptional leader!”

The Resource Center has reaffirmed its standing as one of the region’s healthiest employers.

The Resource Center recently was named the healthiest employer in Western New York among extra-large businesses (those employing more than 875 people) in Buffalo Business First magazine’s annual competition.  This marked the fifth time in six years The Resource Center has claimed the title in its division.  TRC also won in 2020, 2018, 2017, and 2016, and the agency was a finalist in the two years (2019 and 2015) it didn’t come in first place.

The honor was announced during a celebration on Buffalo sponsored by Independent Health, Wegmans, Springbuk, and Walsh Duffield.  A total of 25 finalists vied for the top spots in four categories: small (businesses with 10 to 100 employees); medium (101-374 employees); large (375-875 employees); and extra large.

The key to The Resource Center’s lofty status is its STARS employee wellness program.  In place since 2013, the program provides a variety of wellness options for TRC employees.  The fact TRC operates its own wellness program separates the organization from those area companies that use external vendors to operate their corporate wellness programs.

TRC also scores highly by virtue of collaborating 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.

The Resource Center’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 Courtney and DeSantis.

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 55^th healthiest workplace in America.

“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.