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SAVE THE DATE FOR THE FOLLOWING EMPOWER EVENTS AND PROGRAM START DATES

Friday, September 8: Empower for Elders Ribbon Cutting, 1 pm

Monday, September 5: Empower for Elders Start Date

Tuesday, September 6: First Day of Empower Children’s Academy

Tuesday, September 19: Kids’ Music Round classes begin, 8962 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls, 6-7 pm children birth through 6, 7-8 pm 5 and 6 year olds

Tuesday, September 19: First Spectrum Theater Program class, 5-7 pm, Empower Children’s Academy

Saturday, September 23: Kids’ Music Round classes begin, 8962 Porter Rd., Niagara Falls, both class options for children birth through age 6, 9-9:45 am OR 10:15-11 am

Friday. October 27: Living the Values Awards Luncheon, Doubletree by Hilton, 401 Buffalo Ave., Niagara Falls, 11:30 am registration, noon lunch

PATERSON RECEIVES REV. MARTIN J. BLAKE C.M. AWARD

Jeff and family

Left to right: Jeff’s parents: Joan and Bill Paterson, Jeff and his wife, Michele

Congratulations to Empower CEO Jeff Paterson for being recognized by Our Lady of Angels Association for his philanthropic involvement and leadership at its annual the Vincentian Charities Dinner in May.

EXPANDED COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Empower has a rich history of responding to unmet community needs.  In fact, in 1954, it was the lack of nearby services for children with cerebral palsy that led to the agency’s creation.  That tradition will continue on September 5 with the opening of a new program for older adults called Empower for Elders.

Located at 8962 Porter Rd. in the Town of Niagara, Empower for Elders will provide socialization and individualized care to older adults and respite for their caregivers.  According to Empower CEO Jeff Paterson: “Niagara County is a graying community and needs more services to help frail elders live as independently as possible.  Empower for Elders will help to fill the gap.”

Another good example of community engagement is the restructuring that has taken place in the Job Training and Day Program division.  Services were moved from 30th Street and MacKenna to more integrated settings like the redemption center.  Staff, led by Kim Kiely, had to learn how to run a redemption center, serve customers and train workers in marketable job skills.  This venture has been so successful that Empower is opening a second redemption center and adding another valuable service requested by customers, document scanning and shredding.

According to Empower Director of Job Training and Day Programs Kim Kiely: “the most unexpected and rewarding outcome of the redemption center has been the interactions between workers with disabilities and customers.  Customers tell us all the time that they love the excellent customer service they receive.  Some of them even say that they never before had direct interaction with people with disabilities, and the experience has made them more open minded and accepting.  It is because of this outcome that we are creating more opportunities.”

Empower will continue to adjust and expand programming to ensure the people it serves and the broader Niagara community live their best lives.