TRC observes Direct Support Professional Recognition Week
Every great lead actor and actress is usually surrounded by a supporting cast that really pulls a movie or a show together. That supporting group often plays a pivotal role in the project’s overall success. To help honor its supporting cast, The Resource Center recently celebrated its Direct Support Professionals, capped off with an event to honor the best of the best.
The week of September 11 through 17 was National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week. On Friday, September 16, TRC recognized 28 employees during its annual “Celebrating TRC’s Everyday Heroes” event inside the Conference Center at its offices on Dunham Avenue in Celoron.
“We’re here to celebrate the wonderful things you do on a daily basis,” said Denise Jones, TRC’s Associate Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer.
Debbie Brown, Director of Day Services, said, “DSPs touch the lives of so many individuals and touch them in so many ways. You help them attain their goals and discover their dreams.”
Joanne Bevan, Director of Residential Services, “Thank you to all the DSPS in the agency who help the individuals achieve what they can achieve. You help them fulfill our mission. The scope of the work DSPs do on a daily basis is incredible.”
Five employees were honored as Everyday Heroes:
Patricia Clark – Patti, a Behavior Support Specialist in TRC’s home for adolescents on Orchard Road in the Town of Busti, was recognized for her efforts both on the job and in her spare time. She volunteers to assist the young women with their hair and make-up for school functions and to see that they are dressed well for the occasions. Patti often will pack a lunch and head out with a resident to commune with nature at Kinzua, Long Point or some other location. She teaches the youths how to follow a budget and has helped them learn to advocate for themselves. She has worked for TRC since April 2009.
Rhonda Johnson – A TRC employee since 2007, Rhonda’s compassionate approach has enriched the lives of the individuals she supports in her role as a Supported Living Specialist in the Individualized Home and Community-Based Services Program. She works with two women who do not always agree with each other about what to do. Rhonda helped them realize they both wanted to try exercising, so she took them to a fitness center to give it a try. The women now work out twice a week, an activity that lets them interact with other community members while improving their health and learning to communicate better with each other.
Kristen Johnston – Kristen also is a BSP in the Individualized Residential Alternative on Orchard Road. She enjoys doing special activities with the residents. She assisted one person to volunteer at the concession stand during a high school football game so the resident could earn money to join his classmates on their senior trip. She keeps the youths active doing outdoor activities in all kinds of weather, and she accompanies them to special events such as dances. Kristen has worked for TRC since January 2009.
James Stanford – A part-time employee who has been with TRC since 2007, Jim was recognized for the influence he has had on the residents of the home on Whitehill Avenue in Jamestown. Three men and two women live in the home, and while Jim does a good job of caring for all of the residents, he makes an effort to do special things for the men, who are seniors. “It is so nice for those guys to have someone just like them to share ideas and thoughts, stories of the good old days, and just spending time together,” a female co-worker said of Jim. “He’s a man’s man, and (the male residents) really appreciate him.”
Margaret Wilson – Cookie works in the Future Strivers room in the “Alternatives” Day Habilitation Program at the Michael J. Raymond Center on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown. She was honored for her efforts in assisting the individuals she supports to be independent, mindful of others and proud of themselves. Cookie helps foster in them a sense of self-worth and a desire to continually strive to better themselves. She has been with TRC since 1999, and her leadership qualities have helped new DSPs grow and adjust to their jobs while using a unified approach to supporting people with disabilities.
“It was definitely a surprise. I love it,” Kristen remarked upon being named an Everyday Hero. “It was really nice to know that other people look up to me and consider me a hero. I just see it as my job and doing what I love to do.”
Twenty-three other employees received honorable mention:
Amanda Ardillo – DSP in the IRA on Birchwood Drive in Fredonia
Debra Boardman – DSP in the Day Hab Program on Fluvanna Avenue in Jamestown
Rhonda Boardman – DSP in the IRA on Harris Avenue in Jamestown
Corrina Bullock – DSP in the IRA on Eagle Street in Dunkirk
Mary DiDomenico – DSP in the IRA on Cole Avenue in Jamestown
Katie Elfman – DSP in the “Hunt Road” IRA in Busti
Timothy Grissom – DSP in the Senior Adult Day Hab Program on Harris Avenue
Trisha Hopkins – DSP at the Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown
Caitlin Hull – DSP in the Cole IRA
Joelle Iuculano – DSP in the Whitehill IRA
Nichole Johnson – DSP in the Celoron A Intermediate Care Facility on Gifford Avenue
Shawn Kane – DSP in the Celoron A ICF
Melinda Larson – DSP in the Cole IRA
Aaron Lee – DSP Trainee in the B-4 home at the Foote ICF
Ladena Marks – DSP in the Celoron B ICF on Gifford Avenue
Mark Polaski – DSP in the Celoron A ICF
Jessica Riquer – SLS
Randall Samuelson – DSP in the B-4 home at the Foote ICF
John Shoop Jr. – DSP in Celoron A and in the IRA on Pleasantview Drive in Jamestown
Lorie Walters – DSP on the Cole IRA
Wendy Wilcox – DSP in the A-1 home at the Foote ICF
Patricia Wunder – DSP in the Birchwood IRA
Mara Zilkenat – DSP in the “Alternatives” Day Hab Program
“They are the heart and soul of The Resource Center,” Joanne said of those who provide direct support to the individuals TRC serves. “They are here 24/7 to help the individuals, whether in the homes or out in the community.”
Joanne was one of six people to sit on this year’s recognition committee, along with Michele Albaugh, Assistant Director of Staff Training; Katie Benedetto, Staff Assistance Employment Specialist; Tyler Case, Workforce Coordinator; Jessica Holmes, Supported Living Specialist Supervisor; and Autumn Wilson, Manager of the Day Habilitation Program in the Michael J. Raymond Center. In addition Don Traynor, Staff Development Specialist, videotaped the Everyday Heroes and the people who nominated them, then showed the video during the celebration. Don also recorded the recognition event itself. TRC’s Internet Projects Manager, Jeff Eggleston, along with Community Relations Department Interns Dominica Luzzi and Kayla DePane, created a thank-you video to DSPs. Click here to view the video.
Following the awards, two other TRC employees, DSP Ben Lutgen and TRC driver James Walsh were recognized as heroes for their work at Ground Zero during the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001
All of the DSP honorees received a token of appreciation for all their hard work and dedication. Everyone present took part in a reception following the award presentation.
The Everyday Heroes Celebration was the culmination of DSP Recognition Week. Throughout this week, The Resource Center offered DSPs the opportunity to have a chair massage or take a yoga class, and members of the Executive Management Team delivered gift baskets to TRC’s homes and daytime services locations.