Adult Day Support: Familiar Faces, Brand New Skills
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...
![Hear From Our Dedicated DSPs: Celebrating National DSP Recognition Week [VIDEO]](https://soar365.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/SOAR365-DSP-Recognition-Week-Saunders-Staff.png)
Hear From Our Dedicated DSPs: Celebrating National DSP Recognition Week [VIDEO]
September 8-14 is Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week! DSPs are the heart of SOAR365’s Youth Services, Adult Day Support and Respite programs. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XuOyrEhivFE What does a DSP do? DSPs are responsible for the care of our program participants. Their day might include everything from leading basketball games to...
Jacklyn Cheely & PARK365 Are Growing Together
This summer, Jacklyn Cheely arrived at PARK365 with a group of EAB colleagues. They were planning to tackle a one-day beautification project – a great fit for Jacklyn’s green thumb. But what she didn’t know is that she would be returning again … and again … and again! Jacklyn fell in love with the park environment that day. She’s happily volunteered...
VCU Volleyball & Synergy Technical Team Up With SOAR365
Smiling faces. Enthusiastic cheering. And post-game hugs! Adult Day Support participants and staff had a great time watching the VCU Volleyball team play at the Siegel Center in September. “It was especially thrilling to see the players and coaching staff interact with our participants after the game,” says Vandal Truong, Director of Adult Day Support and...
Former NFL Player Visits Adult Day Support on Career Day
Participants of SOAR365’s Adult Day Support program at Staples Mill had the opportunity to hear from a special guest on the morning of July 23 as part of a recently launched Career Day initiative: Zuriel Smith, a former player in the National Football League (NFL). “The reason I came is because I serve individuals who have developmental...
Meet Antonio
One of Antonio’s favorite places to be is in the kitchen. His face lights up talking about food. “I like to cook shrimp, fried rice, chicken alfredo, steak,” he says. Who taught him to cook? “I taught myself to cook!” he says proudly, with a laugh. He does give some credit to the cooking skills he learned after school in SOAR365’s Youth Services. Program...
Meet Trey!
Nobody was sure what to expect when Trey Hope returned to Adult Day Support in 2022, after suffering abuse and neglect during the pandemic. “When the van driver opened the door, and I saw him grinning from ear to ear, that just warmed my heart,” says Supervisor, Josh Rubino. Trey has cerebral palsy and autism. On weekdays, you can find him...
Meet Trey
At about 4:30 p.m. each weekday, the halls of SOAR365 come alive with the sound of music. Saxophone music, that is. And the musician is Trey, a tall, lean, dark-haired 18-year-old student who comes to SOAR365 after his school day at Godwin High School in Henrico County. “Early on, he had a knack for music. Seems like any instrument he picks up, he can...
Meet Heather
Heather Dyson is vivacious and friendly, and that is instantly clear to anyone who meets her. “Heather has always been happy – it’s as if she doesn’t know anything about being mean,” remarks her aunt, Brenda. Born with cerebral palsy, Heather uses a wheelchair, but she doesn’t let that stop her from bouncing up and down with excitement and glee when...
Meet Dre
DANCING WITH EVERYONE AT STAPLES MILLWhen you walk into the Adult Day Support program at SOAR@Staples Mill, you’ll likely find 25-year-old Shakur Spells, known as Dre, dancing. And not just moving a little bit, but dancing really well. Laura Yackel, a SOAR365 case manager Mill confirms, “He knows how to dance! Dre is always cheering everyone up, either...
