The Summit Center

Congratulations to Chief Administrative Officer Leishia Smallwood on receiving a Niagara Falls Black Achievers Award! This recognition honors her commitment to serving the community and accomplishments throughout her career. We’re so fortunate to have her leadership at Summit.

March is Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month! New York's I/DD system urgently needs more funding to ensure stability for people with disabilities, their families, and providers. A strong budget creates a strong care system. #IDDCommunity #InvestInUs

Yesterday was full of luck and learning at our STEPS Clarence Center location! Individuals celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with fun activities, including pin the gold in the pot, a scavenger hunt, creating a fruit and veggie rainbow, and making Shamrock shakes. 🍀🌈

Awareness matters, but funding is critical. The I/DD community and their workforce need support to ensure uninterrupted care. Fill out this form to urge your legislators to prioritize increased funding: bit.ly/4cav5wG #InvestInUs

Amherst Town Supervisor Shawn Lavin and Chief of Staff Jessica O'Neil visited Summit Academy Stahl to learn more about our programs and services. CEO Lisa Foti and President Amy Jablonski led a tour, highlighting how Summit helps students learn, grow, and thrive.

Yesterday, Summit Academy Elmwood welcomed two Leadership Buffalo groups for Educational Equity Day! Participants learned how Summit supports student independence, from classroom transitions to running the school store and learning to ride the Metro Rail.

Yesterday, we filled the Capitol with a strong and clear message: New York must invest in I/DD services and the workforce that cares for them. Thanks to everyone who showed up, spoke up, and stood together. We will continue to fight for meaningful change. Please share this post.

🎉Have you registered yet? SummitAutismWalk.org We're counting down the days until this year's Autism Walk! We can't wait to see you there. 👟

We're rallying today at 11:30! It's time to show why funding matters. Stand with us as we call on legislators for a 2.7% targeted inflationary increase, CareForce affordability initiatives, and childcare and healthcare enhancements. Your neighbors are counting on you.

📢Tomorrow's the day! At 11:30, we will be gathering at the Capitol in Albany to demand action and real, continued investment in I/DD services and the care system. If you haven't RSVP'd yet, please do so here: bit.ly/4qkfZIy We hope to see you there! #StrongerTogether

The STAR parent training Emotional Co-regulation will take place from 6:15-7:15 p.m. on 3/25. This virtual training will teach caregivers to identify and implement effective de-escalation strategies for their child. For more information, view our flyer at ow.ly/rsoi50YqnJv

🍻 Cheers to making a difference! ow.ly/wyke50Yp57S We’ve partnered with @FirstLineBrew to create Foundations, a dry-hopped lager, in support of Autism Acceptance Month. Order your four-pack by 3/8! A portion of the proceeds of each can sold will be donated to Summit.

Calling all volunteers! ow.ly/q5yr50Yozwr Help us make our 2026 Autism Walk the best one yet! Join us on May 2 for a fun-filled day of celebration, activities, food, mascots, and more. We can’t do it without you. Sign up today to lend a hand and make a difference.

✨ Please join us in welcoming Leishia Smallwood to The Summit Center as our new chief administrative officer! She brings more than 20 years of experience in government-funded programming and healthcare operations. We’re so thrilled to have Leishia on our team!

Registration for the 2026 Autism Walk is open at SummitAutismWalk.org. We can’t wait for Walk Day on May 2! Please view our how to register video below. If you have any questions, contact our development department at autismwalk@TheSummitCenter.org. youtube.com/watch?v=gQmckS…

📢 Reminder: Join Us in Albany for a rally at the Capitol Building on March 10 at 11:30 AM! We're convening to call on our lawmakers to take action. There's power in numbers and we need you there! 👉 RSVP now if you haven’t already: bit.ly/4qkfZIy #InvestInUs #InvestInMe

Registration opens in just a few days! We can't wait to make this year's Autism Walk the best yet. Are you ready to walk with us? 👟

Navigating social norms can be draining for many autistic people. Sometimes “I don’t want to do that” means “I know my limits” or even “I’m already at my capacity.”

The STAR parent training Behavior Basics will take place from 6:15-7:15 p.m. on 3/11. This virtual training will focus on basic proactive strategies to help caregivers reduce challenging behaviors that their children may exhibit. View our flyer at ow.ly/QWYe50Yl2HK

Congratulations to Rahsaan DeLain, Summit Operating Board Member, for being named a winner of the Buffalo Business First Impact Awards. These awards honor individuals who champion inclusion. We’re so proud of the incredible work Rahsaan does every day!