Acknowledging the Awesome: Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

In the U.S., one week every September is dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the hardworking folks who take care of the special people in our lives who are disabled or elderly. Known as Direct Support Professionals, or DSPs for short, these dedicated individuals work long days and nights at jobs that require an abundance of skill, patience, and heart.

For this year’s Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, Adelante hosted celebrations in our different programs and enterprises throughout Albuquerque, Los Lunas, and Belen. Our DSPs were rewarded with their choice of lunch or desserts, along with a small gift of appreciation. Many also received a special bonus.

We asked several of our dedicated team members how they felt about working directly with our clients, helping people with disabilities overcome challenges and achieve their goals, or supporting seniors in our Compadres day program. Amber, who works at Adelante Bridges, a Community Options program in Belen, said, “It’s a change of pace for me. I’ve never done it, and I didn’t know if I would like it, but I actually think I found my calling.” She also added some great thoughts about her team, saying, “The staff is so resourceful, loving, and caring about every single client we have… I do love it here.”