The event, held at TRC’s administrative offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron, recognized people who in 2024 reached a milestone year of continual employment. The celebration was part of TRC’s observance of October as National Disability Employment Awareness Month.

Executive Director Denise Jones called the honorees trailblazers and said “we must continue to promote inclusion in the workplace. I’m pleased to see the number of people in this room who have reached milestones in employment.”

Terri Johnson, director of employment and community-based services, said the event was a chance to “recognize workforce contributions of people with disabilities.”

People were honored for reaching one, five, 10, 15, 20, 25, or 30 years of employment. Not everyone being recognized was able to attend, because some people were at their jobs. Those who were there received a certificate of achievement.

Pictured holding the certificates they received for reaching a milestone year of employment are, from left, front row, Ronald Corson, Andy Dyckes, Desarae Rivera, Courtney Poitras, Alex Smith, and Jeffrey Schuster; and, back row, Christopher Davis, Darren Judkins, Julio Nazario, Josh Holsinger, Collin Leroy and Richard Silsby.

The longest-serving honoree was Andy Dyckes, who has been working in the Fredonia Central School District for 30 years.

Several honorees had family members who attended the event and shared in the excitement as their loved ones were called up to be recognized. Similarly, representatives of some of The Resource Center’s business partners attended the ceremony and celebrated with their employees.