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Our Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team serves the Defense Supply Center Richmond and Fort Gregg-Adams— and they never have a slow day. From mowing to leaf blowing, and from planting flowers to shoveling snow, the crew of 22 full-time employees is busy year-round.
Deborah Foster loves managing this team, which includes 17 employees with disabilities. “I appreciate everything our employees do, and I am so proud of how much they achieve,” says Deb.
Our DSPs work hard to meet each participant’s goals. Daily activities focus on life skills, like reading, cooking, cleaning, shopping and more.
“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!
![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)
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 because they’re responsible for the care of our program participants. Learn more about this rewarding career.
When case manager Laura Yackel began chairing SOAR365’s Wellness Committee, she knew just who should join—our participants! She quickly found enthusiastic recruits, like Java.
Today, the committee is close to its goal of including program participants from every SOAR365 location.
Did you know that SOAR365’s Summer Camp recruits counselors from all over the world?
“Summer Camp has become not only an American cultural exchange, but a cultural exchange of the entire world,” says Jessica Damm, a Summer Camp supervisor hailing from England.
If it wasn’t for one Boy Scout camp director, Chris Martin might have been a CPA.
“He wanted me to work with people with intellectual disabilities,” says Chris. One week later, Chris was hooked.
James started training for his job in Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance at an early age, thanks to his dad’s landscaping business. “I’ve been cutting grass since I was five,” he says proudly.
Even so, it can be hard for people with disabilities, like James, to find a supportive work environment.
The Next Move Program’s Capable Portrait Campaign is back for an eighth year! The exhibit opening will be held on June 20 at The Virginia Home.
Brandon is the first of three models from SOAR365 who are being featured in this year’s campaign.
Weldon Hall is a man of many talents. His first experience working for SOAR365 was in facilities maintenance at Camp Baker. He enjoyed the job but left after two-and-a-half years to start his own business. “One guy in a truck doing home renovations and remodels,” he explains with a smile.
While the work let him use a wide range of skills, something was missing.
The Landscaping & Grounds Maintenance team at SOAR365 is known for working hard and doing great work. From mowing to trash removal to demolition, this award-winning group has made an impact throughout the Richmond area.
But sometimes, their stellar work takes place when no one is watching.
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