Our Community Habilitation Team is working with folks to come up with safe activities to promote active and healthy lifestyles. They have tried new recipes, putting a healthy spin on some favorite restaurant dishes, such as mock Subway sandwiches and protein pasta. Our team has also encouraged people to go on walks and visit some favorite outdoor spots such as West Falls, Canalside and the Outer Harbor. The Community Hab Team is also continuing to celebrate birthdays in a special way. Thank you to our team for coming up with creative, fun and healthy ways to stay engaged during the pandemic!

One of our Southtown residences thought of a fun way to make their masks more creative. The residents recently spent a day tie-dyeing masks and t-shirts with vibrant colors and cool patterns. It’s great to see our IRAs thinking of others’ safety by wearing masks while also showing off their artistic skills and having fun!

Prior to social distancing and quarantine, we had 11 students earn their certifications in Guest Room Attendant through our curriculum at our Jefferson Career Exploration Center. One of the students shared her experience:

My name is Octavia. I am a student at The Service Collaborative of WNY Inc. (TSC), and have earned three certifications in the hospitality courses at Community Services. I would like to tell you a little bit about my educational path.

I first started off my 9th grade year at Riverside High School. I got in a lot of trouble there, skipping classes, missing school, etc. Then I just stopped going altogether. It took me a year to realize that I needed to go back to school and continue my education. I wasn’t planning on starting at TSC, but it was the best choice I have ever made in my life.

The teachers and staff are so loving and caring to me. It was nothing like regular high school. There are so many benefits, such as being offered the hospitality trainings at Community Services. It is one of my favorite things about continuing my education.

I have learned so many new skills through the hospitality trainings. So far I have received my Restaurant Server Certification and banquet training, Guestroom Attendant Certification, and Front Desk Certification. Being able to finish my certification during the quarantine was challenging but also helpful. It kept me busy and helped me to continue achieving my goals.

I am now working on my Guest Services Certification. These certificates may not seem like a lot to some people, but for me it has proved that I can do a lot more than I thought I could. There were so many times I wanted to give up but I realized that in the long run it was all going to be worth it.

My experience at Community Services has been the best I could ask for. Not only do I love my teacher, Ms. Joelle, but I love everyone there and the warm environment. When I first met Ms. Joelle I could tell she was going to be a great teacher. The way she taught us everything, it wasn’t only educational but also fun in her own ways. I am sad that the Guest Services Certification will be my last course with her.

My overall dream job goal would be to be a registered nurse. I really think that the courses with Ms. Joelle will help me achieve this goal by learning the soft skills needed to work in a professional field, teamwork, and learning what hard work can help me achieve. I know that these skills will help me become better at what I do.

I really would like to thank TSC and Community Services for always helping me and continuing to be there for me when I need them.

– Octavia

During this time of social distancing, our Community Services’ team has continued to come together to make sure the people we support still have the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays.

Karissa Briggs, Program Coordinator, began organizing the parades in April. She worked with our site managers, employees and family members to make sure everyone had a special celebration. A few parades even had local fire departments lead the procession.

Our employees who have participated have made sure to deck their cars out with balloons, banners and signs. Site managers have also gotten in on the fun and decorated the outside of the house to celebrate each person’s special day. Thank you to all of our employees who continue to help celebrate the people we support!

The residents at one of our homes have been practicing their baking skills by making homemade treats for our four-legged friends. They used two different recipes to make dog cookies. Everyone helped to mix the ingredients, roll the dough, cut out the cookies and then bake them. They even had a few visitors act as taste testers! The residents plan to donate the treats to the SPCA.

Samantha felt a sense of pride and excitement when she recently obtained and started her first job.

Samantha has been employed at KeyBank Center through Pegula Sports & Entertainment (PSE) since September. She is responsible for helping clean the arena after events. Samantha enjoys working the day shift and has learned many new things while working, such as keeping a schedule, using the public transportation route to get to and from work, keeping herself safe by wearing gloves while she cleans, and navigating her way through KeyBank Center.

Samantha says that having a job requires her to be responsible, to work hard and to learn to manage her time. She has grown in independence, as she is now earning her own money. Samantha has also made a lot of new friends at her job.

Thanks to our partners at Pegula Sports Entertainment and the KeyBank Center for creating a great work environment!

Our third cohort of students from The Service Collaborative of WNY Inc. started our new Banquet and Restaurant Server training at the Jefferson Career Exploration Center .

During this course, the students will not only focus on the importance of Guest Services, but will also learn, through classroom lessons and use of the Banquet Suite, how to prepare a space for different dining experiences. In addition to this, the course will also feature guest speakers, tours of local businesses and job shadowing opportunities.

Recently, the class welcomed Heather Smith, Director of Human Resources from the Curtiss Hotel. Heather was able to provide the students with great insight as to what they look for in potential employees, while touching upon the importance of Guest Services as well. The students were truly impressed with what the Curtiss had to offer and showed much interest in becoming a part of their team someday! ​