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Welcome to Statler Center

The National Statler Center is a program of the Olmsted Center for Sight. Our job training programs are a unique and exciting concept in employment and training that provides individuals with visual impairments or physical disabilities with the right tools for successful careers in a rapidly growing industries such as hospitality, customer service and contact centers.

2010 Celebrates the 10th Anniversary of the Statler Center!

Join us July 29, 2010 from 4-7pm at 1170 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14209. Our celebration will include a recognition ceremony for several special friends of Statler, and the graduation of Class 34. RSVP to 716.882.1025 or RSVP@olmstedcenter.org.

We wish to gratefully acknowledge the generous support of our contributing national and local foundations, community partners, staff, faculty, and most of all our dedicated students.

Our 340+ graduates are working in an array of jobs including: front desk clerks and managers in New York, night auditors in Michigan, PBX operators in California, customer service agents in Florida, and a proprietor of a new hotel in Costa Rica opened by a truly entrepreneurial graduate.

Statler Grad Excels in Customer Service Career

Matt Coffman (center), with Alonzo White-CTE Call Center Manager, Kelly Dixon-CTE Executive Director.

Employers seek the very best people to maintain the highest level of customer service and strengthen their competitive edge. Statler graduate Matt Coffman is a perfect example of one of those people. Matt is so good in fact, that his employer, the Center for Transportation Excellence (CTE), is turning to Statler for additional graduates to add to their specialized staff.

When speaking with Statler program managers, CTE Contact Center Supervisor Rachael Johnson asked, “Do you have more graduates like Matt? I would love to hire more Statler grads to our team and have no qualms whatsoever in hiring through Statler.” Rachael reflected on Matt’s outstanding knowledge of customer service and contact center techniques, combined with his confidence and compassion when working with those in need, often during telephone service calls from people with special requirements.

Beth Metz, CTE Human Resources Director, went further to describe Matt as an asset not only to his customers, but also to his co-workers. Matt is exceptionally friendly to everyone, and sets an example by truly caring for and serving the public. “Matt is now conducting some of our training for our contact center staff and he’s only been here a few months!” said Metz.

Statler Graduate Matt Coffman working at his desk at the Center for Transportation Excellence. Statler’s Assistive Technology and Workplace Support Specialist group helped install the equipment and helped Matt settle in to be an exemplary member of the CTE Team.

Matt Coffman is legally blind and requires assistive technology devices at his workstation, which Statler IT professionals installed before Matt's first week on the job. Matt also received assistance from Statler Workplace Support Specialists to ensure that he was able to contribute to his job with no delay. Matt graduated from STEP, the Statler Employment and Education Program, in 2008, armed with the skills required to excel at his job. “Statler taught me all aspects of how to deliver great customer service, as well as the critical Microsoft software programs,” said Coffman. “Plus, I learned important office skills, which employers expect in the workplace. This has helped me to help CTE reach their goals more effectively.” Matt says his experience in the Statler classroom was “excellent.” “The staff was always there to help both in and outside of the classroom, and my classmates were so willing to learn. We really grew together.”

CTE runs a large contact center which dispatches specialized transportation services for persons in the community. Customers are most often adults and physically challenged individuals and others in need of special travel solutions to manage their daily lives or to reach their doctors, clinics and hospitals for care.

The Statler Training & Employment Program (STEP) is possible through the generous support of Lavelle Fund for the Blind, Avaya Corporation and the participation of M&T Bank.

Statler and STEC Class Dates for 2010

Statler Center has announced its schedule for its Buffalo job training program for 2010 with courses specializing in hospitality related careers. Additionally, the Statler Training and Employment Connection (STEC) dates were released, specializing in customer service for contact centers, financial and medical offices, transportation, and communications. Both programs focus on the skills required for students to obtain employment upon graduation.

STEC: July 12-August 27, 2010
Statler: September 8-November 18, 2010
STEC: September 8-October 27, 2010

Interested? For more information please contact: Jeff Pease at 716.888.4526

What do Statler Graduates Have to Say?

“I was in the very first class of the Statler Center and graduated in December 1999. Within a few months, I was hired at the Adam’s Mark Hotel and have been working full time ever since. The Statler Center not only challenged me academically, but also gave me the self-confidence, skills, and support to do my job.” - Pearl Arnold, Statler Hospitality Class #1, 1999

“I came to Statler as an unemployed and a not up-to-par-with-my-skills person. STEP training fine tuned my skills and introduced me to state-of-the-art software being used in the world of customer service. All this gave me the confidence and skills I needed to look for and secure employment. One of the things that amazed me about Statler’s classes is that everyone in the class came to the table with different skill levels. The teachers were able to keep everyone working at the same pace. As a result of graduating from the STEP class, I am now a Relay Operator for Sprint Corp and am working for Communication Services for the Deaf, USA Relay, as a full-time operator utilizing all my computer and customer service skills.”- Maria Heinlein, STEP Class #3, 2008

Statler Center Receives $45,000 Grant!

Statler Center was awarded a $45,000 grant from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo! This grant will be used to hire a Job Developer who will assist Statler Center graduates with finding permanent employment.

Statler's commitment to job placement is an important aspect of our service to our graduates and the community. We gratefully acknowledge this gift from the Community Foundation for Greater Buffalo as they celebrate their 90^th anniversary.