The Resource Center presents 35th Ability Awareness Awards

The achievements of people with disabling conditions and those who support individuals with special needs were shared at The Resource Center’s 35th Ability Awareness Awards Celebration.

The event took place at Shorewood Country Club in Dunkirk. The celebration was an opportunity to recognize people with disabling conditions 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.

(Watch the video from the event)

Welcoming remarks were given by Denise Jones, The Resource Center’s Chief Executive Officer.

“We have some outstanding honorees this year – individuals with disabling conditions who use their lived experiences to support and advocate for others; people with mental health and substance abuse challenges who have succeeded in building successful lives; longtime employees who make a tremendously positive difference in the lives of people with disabilities and the community; businesses that provide jobs to people with disabilities or provide funding that enables us to expand services; and community leaders who have used their personal or professional platforms to educate the public about people with disabilities,” Jones said.

The first honor presented was the Community Partnership Award, and it was given to Laurie Reynolds. Reynolds, Associate Director of Prevention Works, was honored for being the lead organizer of the annual Kids & Sibs summer camp for children with special needs and their siblings.

Laurie Reynolds

The Employer of the Year was the Original Crunch Roll Factory in Westfield. The company has three workers hired through The Resource Center’s Employment Services Program. TRC officials praised Crunch Roll for providing a work environment that feels safe and welcoming, demonstrating commitment and expressing encouragement to its workers with disabilities, and being willing to assist with workers’ transportation barriers.

Pictured from left are Paul Hurley, Employment Coordinator at The Resource Center; Zachary Bohn, President of the Original Crunch Roll Factory; Tabitha Gens, a worker at Crunch Roll’s Westfield location; Danielle Payne, the company’s Operations Consultant; and Mark Bohn, Crunch Roll’s Owner.

The Advocate of the Year and was presented to Michael Ostrye. Ostrye works at The Resource Center’s Dunkirk manufacturing facility and is a member of TRC’s Make a Mark self-advocacy group. In that role, he meets with elected officials to advocate for more funding for disability supports and to promote the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life.

The Outstanding Achievement Award was presented to a person who wanted to be identified only by their initials. D.C. has developed coping skills to effectively deal with substance abuse challenges and is working on obtaining a college degree with a goal of being self-employed.

The Elmer Muench Volunteer of the Year was Heather C. Brown. Brown, Assistant Executive Director at The Resource Center. Among her volunteer endeavors, Brown is the president of the Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce, is a member of the Carnahan Jackson Foundation’s board of directors and serves on the Workforce Investment Board. She also serves on two state-wide organizations that focus on improving access to health care for underserved populations. In addition, this marks the 24^th straight year she has been a lead coordinator of the Marine Toys for Tots drive in Chautauqua County.

The Volunteer of the Year Award is named in memory of Elmer Muench, a longtime Resource Center volunteer and former president of TRC’s board of directors.

The Carl Cappa Humanitarian Award was presented to Lake Shore Savings. Lake Shore has been the presenting sponsor of the annual TRC Golf Classic for the past 13 years and recently committed for the next three tournaments. Lake Shore has been a longtime supporter of people with disabilities, and over the years the bank has contributed more than $250,000 to The Resource Center, Filling the Gap and Community Inclusion, Inc.

The award is named in memory of Carl Cappa, a Jamestown businessman who was a supporter of people with disabilities.

The Health Provider of the Year was Tammy Fardink. Fardink is a registered nurse who oversees nursing operations at 10 TRC homes. She has developed meaningful relationships with the people living in the homes and demonstrates for co-workers the path toward person-centered thinking and doing. She ensures people receive the adaptive equipment and medications they require to be as successful and independent as possible, and she educates other members of her medical team on innovative treatments that can support people with disabilities to enjoy long, heathy lives.

The Personal Success Award was given to Ashley Martin. With support from staff in TRC’s PROS (Personalized Recovery Oriented Services) Program, Martin has overcome the effects of depression, going from someone who did not want to leave home most days to a person who is working full time, managing money, going out in the community, providing for her daughter, and creating friendships.

The Edwin Roth Mental Health Award was given to Jeff Axelson. Axelson, a peer advocate and employment specialist with The Resource Center’s PROS Program, supports people with mental health challenges and those who struggle with substance abuse.

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

The Bruce Walford Community Support Award was presented to Assemblyman Andrew Goodell. Goodell regularly attends events put on by TRC and Filling the Gap; has spoken passionately about TRC on the Assembly floor; and has provided support when TRC officials have had issues with state government. He’s also been a supporter of TRC’s art program and on the walls outside of his Capitol office he has hung paintings made by artists with disabilities.

The Community Support Award was created in memory of Bruce Walford, former manager of The Resource Center’s manufacturing center in Dunkirk. Walford’s widow, Laurel, attended the luncheon and shared some thoughts about him.

The Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Dennis Webster. Webster recently retired after a 54-year career at WJTN radio in Jamestown. For about 25 years, he aired a regular program that focused on The Resource Center, helping to educate the community about the services TRC provides.

Pictured from left are Jacob Vasquez, who assisted in presenting the awards; Assemblyman Andy Goodell, who received the Community Support Award; Heather C. Brown, who was the Volunteer of the Year; Mike Ostrye, Advocate of the Year; Jeffrey Werdein and Taylor Gilden of Lake Shore Savings, which received the Humanitarian Award; Jeff Axelson, Mental Health Award; Dennis Webster, Lifetime Achievement Award; and Ashley Martin, Personal Success Award.

Also recognized at the awards celebration was Keith Gowan, who was honored for receiving an Outstanding Performer Award from NYSID (New York State Industries for the Disabled). Through NYSID. The Resource Center has a contract to clean and maintain the Interstate 86 rest area in the Town of Ellery. Gowan, a cleaner in TRC’s Environmental Services division, has worked at the rest area for 14 years. His supervisors say he has a positive attitude and a great work ethic, and he takes pride in his work. Gowan also received this award in 2013.

Closing remarks were given by Richard Erickson, the chair of The Resource Center’s board of directors. Erickson praised the honorees with disabilities for their accomplishments, and he thanked the staff and corporate honorees for making it possible for people with disabilities to succeed. He also encouraged those in attendance to become members of The Resource Center to amplify TRC’s influence when it advocates for more funding for supports for people with disabilities.

“It is important that we get membership, and we have to grow our membership,” Erickson said. “We’ve got to strengthen our voice, and we need to get that support.” He said doing so will help ensure that quality supports for people with disabilities will continue.

Jacob Vasquez, a self-advocate at The Resource Center, presented the awards to the honorees. TRC’s Steve Waterson was the master of ceremonies, while TRC employees Chris Anderson and Austin Mitchell handled the photography and videography responsibilities. The luncheon was organized by Victoria Trass Bardo of Filling the Gap.

In addition to their awards, the honorees received certificates of achievement from U.S. Representative Nick Langworthy, State Senator George Borrello and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.