AHRC Nassau

DSPs create joy, provide safety, and enrich the lives of the people they support. We are grateful to them all. Happy DSP Recognition Week. 🎉 #DSPRW2024

For 22 years Yvette Bailey has been supporting AHRC residents, regularly taking them on trips to amusement parks, festivals and shows. She even organizes weekly cooking lessons to help them develop their daily living skills. She had a long tenure with a publishing firm, then transitioned to being a daycare provider before committing full-time to AHRC. She feels passionately that people with disabilities need to be included in society and treated fairly, so she took that caring nature into her role supporting people in our residences. Although new to the field, she let her sentiment that all people are capable and deserve love guide her. She learned quickly and familiarized herself with new tasks such as toileting and assisting with wheelchairs and lifts. She saw her residents through the pandemic, a challenging time for many—especially those who depend on care services. Her relationship with the people she supports deepened to the point where she keeps up with families when residents are sick and is concerned when they go to the hospital. “I really enjoy what I do,” said Yevette. One of her favorite memories was when they went to a carnival together, they rode the carousel, played games, and the residents cheered her on when she won a giant stuffed elephant prize. Her passion for the DSP role is palpable and she wants her peers to share in that passion as well. “You have to be patient, loving, caring and devoted,” said Yevette about being successful in this field. “Hang in there, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Listen and learn. Trial and error will see you through and whenever you can, volunteer to get your people out in the community.” Yevette loves taking her residents on trips to the park and looks for opportunities to get them outside to explore the world around them as often as possible. She finds this work can be taxing, just as much as it is rewarding. DSPs are care providers, appointment setters, chauffeurs, case workers and expert multitaskers; but they are not being compensated nearly enough for the work they do. “We need a raise, we need an increase, but I love my job, the tasks are rewarding.”

🎉 Shout out to Dominque Hendy. When Dominque began with the agency in 2017, she was inspired by her stepfather; remembering how he would talk about his day. “When he was explaining his day after coming home, talking about making people happy. It was amazing to me, so I had the same goal,“ said Dominque. She anxiously applied and was looking forward to starting after her interview. Her first experience was working in an Intermediate Care Facility (ICF), caring for people with more significant needs. There was a steep learning curve considering she had no prior experience in disability services. Every step of the way she thought about her stepfather and was eager to work and learn. She didn’t know what she was getting herself into, but now, she is thankful for the experience. “I love to see them be themselves. They make me laugh because they are always cracking jokes. I want to see them treated fairly. I want them to advocate for themselves.” If Dominque was not a DSP, she would be pursuing a career as an artist. She loves to draw and paint and be creative. Currently, she works two jobs, both supporting people with disabilities. She works full-time in our Freeport day program and serves as a community habilitation worker for two people who attend her day program. At Freeport, she and the men and women in her program are working on a mural that features the AHRC logo surrounded by water, sea creatures, mountains and trains. The mural highlights a bit of everyone’s favorite things. Dominque is a people person who loves being herself and encourages everyone to do the same. As a passionate DSP, Dominque gives her all at work. She wants to remind her peers to take it one day at a time. “Everything will come together in due time. Stay focused and support your people,” said Dominque. #MoreThanWork #DSPRW2024

It’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week and we’re celebrating all the amazing DSPs that help drive our mission forward. Tanya Guthrie learned about the role at AHRC when her friend sent her the application. She already had care experience from being in the health care field working as a Home Health Aid. She joined the agency in January of this year, and shortly after working with the people supported by the agency, she fell in love with the role. She supports people in a residential setting and sees them through trips to day program, the hospital, and various rides in the community. “I love our talks when driving to program and the sing-along games we play on car rides. At home we laugh a lot, we play and cook together,” said Tanya. “One my favorite things is when they wake up in the morning and start making breakfast and say, ‘good morning,’ when they see me.” Working here has given her a different mindset on how to appreciate people, and life in general. Being a DSP has changed her outlook on life. She’s more appreciative of people and now sees every day as a blessing. She learned that people come out differently, but everyone is drawn to energy. Sometimes the residents exhibit challenging behaviors, but Tanya understands that different methodologies can help people through tough situations. “Everyone has a soft spot that you can lean into. Training helps but there’s nothing more beneficial than getting to know them to calm them down,” said Tanya. “You need to show them love.” Outside of work, Tanya likes to read magazines and enjoy the nightlife by attending live music shows and going out with friends. She’s very pleasant, friendly and outgoing. To people looking into this field, her advice is to be kind, patient and loving. “If you don’t have that then the job will be random to you. If you have an open mind and stay humble, you will do great.” thank you Tanya! Keep up the tremendous work.

Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! All week we are celebrating the amazing DSPs who support people in thriving and leading meaningful lives in their community. Watch a special message from our CEO. https://lnkd.in/egutDFrN

We are forming regional advocacy groups to educate candidates on both sides of the aisle about disability rights. As a regional group member, you will add your voice to a group of disability rights supporters discussing the issues affecting the disability community. Today's your last chance to join and have an impact. Members will: - Meet and engage with candidates to inform them of disability rights. - Join local families, organizations, and self-advocates to discuss important issues and promote disability rights. - Raise awareness and amplify your message through letters, emails, and social media advocacy. - Continue participating to drive the mission forward. Sign up today, Sept. 9, at https://ow.ly/pzEb50TaY8o Have questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

It's Direct Support Professional Recognition Week! 🎉 Arguably one of our favorite times a year. It's an occasion for us to celebrate the amazing DSPs who help us realize our mission—to empower people to lead fulfilling lives together with family, friends and community. Thank you to everyone who participated in our recognition campaign by sharing their thanks. DSPs not only provide extraordinary care by meeting the various needs of people with disabilities, but also offer companionship, understanding and emotional support. To all our DSPs, we are grateful for all your hard work. Our relentless advocacy aims to ensure that you are recognized as the invaluable professionals you are. Stay tuned all as we highlight, JUST SOME, of our brightest stars. By the way, it's not too late to send a shout out. You can still share your stories and words of thanks online at, https://lnkd.in/gbcYYdNU. #MoreThanWork #DSPRW2024

We are forming regional advocacy groups to educate candidates on both sides of the aisle about disability rights. This is an excellent opportunity for you to make your voice heard and discuss the issues that matter most to the disability community. As a committee member, you will: - Meet and engage with candidates to inform them of disability rights. - Join local families, organizations, and self-advocates to discuss important issues and promote disability rights. - Raise awareness and amplify your message through letters, emails, and social media advocacy. - Continue participating to drive the mission forward. Sign up by Monday, Sept. 9, at https://ow.ly/pzEb50TaY8o Have questions or ideas? Email us at [email protected].

Part of showing up for people with disabilities involves supporting them to try new things and develop hobbies. Meet Samantha, who benefits from day services at Wheatley Farms. Over the summer, she spent her days caring for the animals, learning about nature, and growing vegetables and flowers. She grew a love for gardening and developed a green thumb while making new friends.

During their day program, men and women supported in Freeport visited a cultural storytelling art exhibit at the Freeport Memorial Library. They met with the exhibit’s artist, Obelto, asked questions about his art, and sought his advice to improve their artistic skills.