Independent Perspective 1676 with Lafayette Williams, 2021 Joanne Wozniak Award winner

Host:  Welcome to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of Western New York Independent Living (WNYIL). Our guest today is Lafayette Williams, a NY Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist and Options Counselor and your host is yours truly Ernie Churchwell. Welcome to the program Lafayette.

Guest:  Hi, how you doing? Good morning.

Host:  Not bad at all. You're here specifically, because at a meeting earlier this year of friends, staff and volunteers of the agency you were named the Joanne Wozniak Employee of the Year for 2021, an honor named for one of our senior counselors at the time of her passing. And before we get into the specifics of your award, I imagine a lot of people listening are wondering just what an Independent Living Outreach Specialist and Options Counselor does. If you could fill us in who you serve and how.

Guest:  Basically Independent Living Outreach Specialists with NY Connects, we help people find long term services. We also help them find care support, remain independent, we help them to understand their options. They need transportation, we help them find transportation. We also help them learn about caregiver supports. We help to find a supportive parent program, get the answers about Medicare and help them apply for Medicare and Medicaid and other benefits. To find out more, contact NY Connects, call 1-800-342-9871.

Host: And we should probably mention that NY Connects has a particular emphasis on serving seniors with disabilities.

Guest:  That's true, yes, in my situation I service the Seneca nation members on and off territory from birth to death. And I work with Seneca nation elders off territory because we have a NY Connects person in the Seneca nation area Office of the Aging and she handles all that area.

Host:  And I guess it's worth mentioning you're the first Native American ever to be named our employee of the year but so you don't have to brag about yourself, I'll read the statement that NY Connects Region One Coordinator Amanda Pinter read at the meeting when you were given the award. Quote, over the last year this staff member was determined to make public education a priority to ensure consumers knew we were still open and here to help. When face to face tabling events were not an option during the pandemic, they hung flyers and put brochures in places people were still going like grocery stores and clinics. This staff member not only made sure people knew about us, but was also dedicated to ensuring their consumers had what they needed, weekly check-ins if necessary, and delivering Loan Closet items to help with whatever issues arose. Word of mouth traveled across the community and soon people were stopping the staff member in the grocery store asking for help. They stayed positive and true to our mission last year, and thus she introduced you as 2021 Employee of the Year. And what can you say about what went into the efforts you made to become an employee of the year even though that was not an express goal of yours?

Guest:  Yes, it's something that I didn't really expect or I just normally do what I do, but I have to thank Amanda Pinter, my supervisor, without her I probably wouldn’t have gotten this award. If I have a question or if I don't know something, she helps me , she points me in the right direction. I don’t stop at 5:00 p.m.., if a community member wants anything I listen to them and then I follow up with a call and help them get the service they want. And I've also what kept me going during the pandemic last year and this year is the farmers markets in Dunkirk, NY on the Cattaraugus Salamanca reservation. Also on the Cattaraugus County reservation.

Host:  Well, I'm sure people that are interested in your services would like to know how to contact you what's your number?

Guest:  My office number is 836-0822, ext. 538. My work cell number is 578-4679. And like I said before you can always call the main number at NY Connects is 1 800-342-9871.

Host:  Lafayette thanks for everything you do, and thanks for being with us today.

Guest:  Thank you Ernie have a good day.

Host:  You too. You've been listening to Independent Perspective, a public affairs presentation of WNYIL. Our guest for today was Lafayette Williams, NY Connects Independent Living Outreach Specialist and Options Counselor and your host was yours truly Ernie Churchwell.