Legislator Mills recently presented a proclamation to Lois Jackson’s children and granddaughter to honor her life and legacy of helping members of the community with developmental disabilities.

Suburban Adult Services Inc. (SASi) began as a committee of three individuals, spearheaded by Lois Jackson, who wanted to provide services for individuals with disabilities in the Southtowns of Erie County. Ms. Jackson was passionate about this project because she witnessed firsthand the need when her son Darren and others aged out of the school system and were left without services and support.

In the Fall of 1974, Ms. Jackson and her committee of three opened a new program in a small garage in Springville where three staff members provided services to six disabled adults; this organization became officially known as Suburban Adult Services, Inc.

In 1979, the Sardinia Work Training Center opened on Route 39 and served 60 individuals. In addition, the East Aurora Work Training Center opened in 1980 and added thee staff members and 20 clients. In six years, Suburban Adult Services, Inc. had grown to 122 clients and 22 staff members. 

To recognize the legacy she has left as one of its founding members, the Sardinia Work Training Center has been renamed as the Lois Jackson Center.

Legislator Mills said, “Ms. Jackson had a dream to help adults in need and she never gave up on it. With the help of others, she has personally touched the lives of a countless number of individuals. I am so proud of Ms. Jackson and the work she has done for over 40 years.”