​This year we celebrated St. Patrick’s Day at our Jefferson Career Center in the Culinary Arts Suite with a traditional corned beef and cabbage meal.

Throughout the week, Chef Meredith discussed the background on this American Irish dinner, and the people we support had the opportunity to learn and make their own soda bread to go along with the dinner, both face to face and via Zoom.

While making the bread, they discussed portion size and oven safety as well as the ease of cooking this at home, promoting independent living skills and knowledge!

Brandon began his employment journey in the Employment Training Program, ETP, in March of 2020. ETP is a program funded through New York State.

Brandon worked with his job coach to discover various career fields and responsibilities, work on development of skills and to find and secure a paid internship. Brandon decided to do his internship at Community Services for Every1 at the Jefferson Career Exploration Center as a Custodian and began on March 17, 2020.

After completing his ETP internship, Brandon gained employment though our agency as the Custodian for our Jefferson Career Exploration Center in September 2020 and is doing wonderfully! He continues to work with his job coach and is truly a wonderful addition to the team. Brandon is always punctual, completes his daily tasks on time, monitors any needs and barriers that arise, communicates with other staff, and helps to ensure the building is clean and safe for everyone.

We are so proud of Brandon and excited to have him on our team!

Where did it all begin?
Cheryl shares that her journey at Community Services began back in 2001 when she started her career as a Direct Support Professional. Working as a DSP helped her discover the true meaning of patience, kindness, and acceptance. Cheryl stated that she was fortunate to have a few great leaders take her under their wings and offer guidance and mentoring. They helped her tap into her own leadership skills. These very leaders helped her to “dream more, learn more, do more, and become more.” Eventually, she was promoted to Program Manager in 2008. She shares that at times being a Program Manager was a real challenge but it helped humble her and taught her to be open to change.

In 2016 she was promoted to Program Coordinator. Since her time as a Coordinator, she has learned that failure is a part of the growth in order to be successful in her role. Being in a leadership position has helped her expand her skills by having the opportunity to create, oversee, and maintain programs. Over the past 4 years in her role as PC, she has shared that she is happy and very satisfied in her position; she is very appreciative of the opportunity that Community Services has given her.

What do you like about the agency?
Cheryl shares that she loves the fact that the Agency provides learning and growth opportunities for all employees!

What advice do you have for an employee just starting at the agency?
Cheryl advised that incoming employees should take full advantage of all training and growth opportunities such as Ladder to Leadership. These opportunities could provide you with the necessary skills to become proficient in your role.

Where did it all begin?
Jessica shares that she started as a Relief DSP in the Day Habilitation program during her college years. Jessica said that upon graduation she wasn’t sure where life would take her, however, she knew that she loved what she was already doing. After she finished her degree she was given the opportunity to take on a role in management. Each step along the way she embraced the opportunity to learn and was afforded the opportunity to grow. She shares that she now has the privilege of leading the most amazing team that supports the most amazing people she knows.

What do you like about the agency?
Jessica stated that she likes that we are allowed to be ourselves and embrace the diverse strengths that we each bring to the table. She stated that she works alongside people that are so different however shares a common goal of bringing joy and positivity to other’s lives. Each person’s unique talent is what creates the “total package”. She stated that overall she is just so grateful to be a part of her team.

What advice do you have for an employee just starting at the agency?
Jessica shares that when you are asked to assist with a task that is outside of the scope of what you believe you were hired to do, never think, “That’s not my job!” Take this as a compliment, and think to yourself, “Someone sees something in me and trusts me enough to ask for my help.” Use this as an opportunity to learn new things and soak in as much as you can. What better way to set yourself up for future success.

Where did it all begin?
Brandon shares that he started as a Relief Direct Support Professional at one of our Kenmore homes, and then moved on to be a Relief DSP at another northtowns site. After some time passed he decided to make the commitment and become a full-time DSP at one of our Buffalo residences. During his time there he learned a lot and eventually had the opportunity to be promoted to LEAD DSP, also known as Assistant Site Manager. Brandon then advanced into the Site Manager position and has been the site manager for 4 years now.

What do you like about the agency?
Brandon says that he values the fact that he was given an opportunity to be a Site Manager. He shares that he appreciates that he has been given the chance to be in charge of an IRA (Individual Residential Alternatives) and team. He loves that he can strongly lead his team and they all create positive results at the end of the day. He always gives 100% and loves to see things through to the end.

What advice do you have for an employee just starting at the agency?
Brandon says his advice would be to help create a team-like atmosphere between all co-workers. From DSP up to members of management. As a leader, Brandon shares that it is important to show you are willing to do all the tasks you ask your team to do. Don’t expect your team to do tasks that you would not be willing to accomplish yourself. No matter your position you all make up a team. Brandon encourages employees to learn each other’s strengths and weaknesses and play on those to accomplish various tasks whenever possible.