The Amherst Chamber of Commerce wishes everyone a Happy and Healthy Holiday season, and we look forward to the upcoming year of 2022.
While we have learned over the past nearly twenty-four months that nothing is certain, we remain excited by the prospect of continuing to play a part in ensuring our region's prosperity. The Chamber continues to encourage economic growth by reminding our members to shop local this holiday season. I am sure you have heard the commercials, seen the billboards, and as members, are keenly aware of the part we played with the Shop 716 Program supporting local business. We are proud to report that over 62,000 cards have been purchased since the program's inception, and over two million dollars have been spent at our local businesses. Just a reminder, if you still have a $25 or $50 promotional gift card, you need to spend it before December 30!
As we move towards 2022, our calendar of events is loaded, but I am most excited about is our first ever Winter Symposium hosted by Daemen College. This one-day event taking place Friday, January 14, will focus on three areas "Building your Personal Brand," "Behavioral Sciences in the Workplace," and "Inclusive Leadership." This event is open to ALL Chamber members and will, without a doubt, be a can't miss event. We have to thank our sponsors, Daemen College, National Grid, and our Emerging Business Leaders for allowing all members to attend.
For companies looking to assist in growing their future, decision-makers hone their skills; we encourage you to explore our Emerging Business Leaders Program, which will kick off at our Winter Symposium. This once a month, nine-session skill-building focused will help develop your key employees while providing them an incredible opportunity to network with like-minded individuals. Nearly 150 young professionals have attended this program since its inception in 2017, and as we march into our fifth year, we couldn't be happier with the quality of our programming. Learn more by visiting our website at amherst.org/ebl to fill out your application today.
Every January, we host our Annual Luncheon, which was virtual due to the regulations of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. This year we are slated for February 11. Once again, we will seat our incoming board members, hear from our Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa about the State of the Town of Amherst, and lay out our focused agenda in ensuring growth and prosperity for our region. Stay tuned for more updates on this annual event.
As we close the year, we all should pause and take a moment to thank those in our lives who make a meaningful impact. I would like to thank our Board of Directors who volunteer their time each month to ensure our programming, fiscal stability, and mission are being met. To the incredible team we have here, Christine, Penny, and Maureen, who work tirelessly on your behalf, executing our programming, delivering on our services, and being an extension of your brand.
Lastly, I would like to thank all of you for your commitment to the Chamber and for allowing us to be your voice. I wish everyone a safe and healthy holiday season and a very Happy New Year.
A.J. Baynes
|
|
Univera Healthcare Announces Recipients of
Health Equity Awards
BUFFALO, NY—The Rochester-based health insurer that includes Univera Healthcare in Western New York, announced today the recipients of its 2021 Health Equity Awards. The awards represent $388,000 in financial support the nonprofit health insurer is providing to community programs that address racial and ethnic health disparities across upstate New York.
"Through these Health Equity Awards, our health plan is honoring its pledge to invest in organizations that strive for equitable treatment and the elimination of discrimination for all people so they may have an opportunity to live healthier and more secure lives,” said Univera Healthcare President Art Wingerter. “We believe we have a duty to lead by example and inspire positive change within our company, our industry, and broadly in the communities we serve. This work furthers our commitment to Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, & Access, which guides us in all we do.”
The 2021 Health Equity Awards will support nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations across 39 counties of upstate New York, including five organizations in Univera Healthcare’s Western New York service area. With more than 150 applicants, a comprehensive review process included input from individuals with diverse backgrounds and experiences to assess each proposal. Grant recipients were selected based on clear, defined goals and measurable results for reducing health disparities and improving health equity.
“We are a nonprofit health insurer with more than 4,000 employees who call upstate New York their home, including more than 530 employees based here in Western New York,” said Wingerter. “Improving the health and quality of life in the communities we share with our members supports our mission. By funding these local initiatives, we will improve access to care and advance specific health outcomes and improve health equity.”
In the WNY region, the organizations that are receiving funding for their health equity projects include:
Family Justice Center
The Family Justice Center will provide effective, culturally competent, and accessible assistance to domestic violence survivors on Buffalo’s East Side from a base of operations at Harvest House Ministries. Since 2019, we have worked with Dr. Noelle St. Vil at the University of Buffalo and focus groups of East Side residents to brainstorm more effective ways to address DV in their communities, and the suggestions given by these focus groups will form the basis of our policies at the site.
Grassroots Gardens WNY
Grassroots Gardens WNY will increase access to free, fresh organic food by cultivating 10+ community gardens with city residents in Buffalo and Niagara Falls. Additionally, we will make modifications to several gardens to increase accessibility to them for people with disabilities and add play elements for family learning and engagement.
The Chautauqua Center
The key component of quality health care outcomes for Spanish speaking patients is use of a qualified interpreter to facilitate communication. The Chautauqua Center will enhance Spanish language assistance for individuals who have limited English proficiency, at no cost, to reduce health disparities for our growing Spanish speaking patient population.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo
The Boys & Girls Clubs of Buffalo Mental Health Access Program promotes the social and emotional well-being of members through early-intervention counseling and targeted activities. Through our certified and trained staff as well as partnerships with licensed contracted partners, the program provides a solid foundation of tools so all members can leverage and create opportunities to shift the course of their life’s trajectory and overcome cycles of inequity.
The National Witness Project, Inc.
The National Witness Project, Inc. will partner with Univera Healthcare to close the gap in health disparities by conducting 20 community education programs designed to meet the specific cultural, educational, knowledge, and learning-style levels of African American women of Western New York, providing 20 outreach events through door-to-door outreach and education in highest need neighborhoods and provide navigate services to 200 underserved African American women for mammograms.
# # #
|
|
Nearly Two Years In: How Are We Handling the Pandemic?
By Josie Swanson
Back in 2019, no one could have guessed what was in store. But here we are nearly two years later, and COVID-19 has changed the way we work, learn, and connect. For employment, jobs seekers don’t expect, or really event want, work to go back to the previous status quo. Here are some statistics about what the job search looks like now, courtesy of Job Journey polls and a recent The Harris Poll Survey commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.
Remote work is now the norm. Fifty-eight percent of those surveyed say they work more hours remotely than in-person.
When it comes time to go back to the workplace, job seekers value safety measures: mask requirements, a socially distanced workplace, workplace sanitation/disinfection procedures, and provided PPE top the list of what they want to see to feel safe.
The pandemic has taken a toll on job seeker morale, with 66% thinking overall workplace dynamics and interpersonal relationships will be worse than prior to the pandemic, compared to 22% who think things will improve. Forty-nine percent say their current work stress level is significantly higher than in 2020, with just 36% saying they feel a lower level of stress.
Major barriers to career success include finding available work that fits job seeker skill sets (24%), not having the right skills or degree for the job (19%), insufficient pay or benefits (16%), difficulty in finding available work in general (9%), and there being few opportunities for growth in current jobs (8%).
All these statistics seem to paint a fairly bleak outlook for job seekers going forward, but there’s hope. The hiring outlook for the near future looks good. As the economy moves past challenges caused by the pandemic, hiring decision makers are becoming more positive about the future of the workforce.
Fifty-five percent plan to increase the number of employees at their company, while 38% expect no change to the number of employees. Only 3% anticipate a decrease in employee count.
The pandemic did a number on job seekers’ mental health. That’s to be expected with a once-in-a-lifetime event like this. But they’re resilient, and the future looks bright.
The Buffalo office is located at 3140 Sheridan Dr., Amherst, NY 14226, and the Niagara office is located at 908 Niagara Falls Blvd., North Tonawanda, NY 14120. Local businesses and applicants are encouraged to stop by, visit www.ExpressBuffaloNY.com or www.ExpressNiagaraNY.com call (716) 833-3348.
*Information taken from the Job Journey Blog polls and the Harris Poll Survey commissioned by Express Employment Professionals.
|
|
Ring in the New Year with First Night® Buffalo |
|
First Night® Buffalo, brought to you by the Independent Health Foundation in partnership with The Children’s Hospital of Buffalo Foundation, will once again be celebrated virtually this year on December 31. This year’s drug-and alcohol-free event will provide families a fun, engaging way to celebrate New Year’s Eve safely in their own homes.
|
|
|
A full line-up of video performances and activities will be accessible from the First Night Buffalo website, including a dance party with DJ Milk, magicians, jugglers, and exotic animal appearances courtesy of Jeff “The Animal Guy” Musial. Plus, by purchasing a Family Party Pack for an interactive experience, Western New Yorkers can have their own disco party, learn how to make balloon animals, and so much more!
As the event that led to the establishment of the Independent Health Foundation in 1992, First Night Buffalo marks the beginning of a year-long celebration of the Independent Health Foundation’s 30th anniversary in 2022.
Get your Family Party Pack today!
Limited quantities of First Night Buffalo Family Party Packs are now available for $20 at 15 participating Tops Friendly Markets’ Customer Service Desks. Each party pack contains everything a family of four needs to celebrate New Year’s Eve at home, including:
· Party hats
· Noise makers
· Juggling scarves
· Glow sticks
· Disco ball lightbulb
· Neon face paint
· Temporary tattoos
· Balloon drop and balloon animals
In addition, each Family Party Pack includes a voucher for free admission to the Fairgrounds Festival of Lights in Hamburg. To find participating Tops locations, visit the First Night Buffalo website. Family Party Packs are also available by visiting the Tops e-catering website.
This year’s First Night Buffalo is sponsored by Independent Health, The Buffalo News, Lamar Advertising, The Fairgrounds Festival of Lights, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, Tops Friendly Markets and Channel 7 WKBW.
|
|
The Amherst Chamber of Commerce
716.632.6905 | info@amherst.org | Amherst.org
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
