This article originally appeared in our 2023 Annual Report, but we’re sharing it again in honor of National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.
Diane Bledsoe has been working as a direct support professional for an incredible 40 years, and 30 of them have been spent at SOAR365. “I love working with my people,” says Diane. “There are a few of them that have been here about as long as I have.”
“All of us are getting old,” she laughs. “It’s almost like a family.”
Marsha Christian, a supervisor and fellow DSP, agrees. “They rely on you as family, because a lot of them came out of institutions.”
Our DSPs work hard to meet each participant’s goals. Daily activities focus on life skills, like reading, cooking, cleaning and more. Staples Mill participants have their very own Sunshine Store. They can earn “SOAR365 bucks” to practice budgeting, saving and spending. They even have a Friendship Café where they can get a cup of coffee with a friend or practice going on a date.
“We are here for the individuals and getting to know them,” says Gloria Womack, DSP. And Gloria has known some of our participants longer than anyone—they met her decades ago as a special education teacher at Maymont Elementary!
You can see a twinkle in her eye as she remembers: “Yes, they were little.” Some of our participants still fondly call her “Ms. Womack” from those long-ago school days.
For Gloria, the best part of being a DSP is “seeing their growth.” And at SOAR365, they’re always treated like the adults they are today.
“I always tell my staff, these are not children,” says Marsha. “Most of them are older than we are! Just like the respect that you want, they deserve the same respect.”
And it pays off. “They’re so happy to be here,” says Diane. “Because they can feel that we care for them.”
You can support the efforts of amazing DSPs like Diane, Marsha and Gloria. Visit soar365.org/donate to give today!
To learn more about our Adult Day Support program, visit soar365.org. Or contact Vandal Truong, Director of Adult Day Support & Youth Services, at [email protected] or (804) 665-1236.