“I have been working with an individual for over 20 years, and we have grown together in so many ways. The pandemic was a very different time for everyone. The individual that I work with and I sat down together and discussed this very important time. We talked about the importance of being safe and following all the new protocols for the seemingly new normal. We both decided that we were not going to let this scary time get us down or make us stop spending quality time together; in fact, it would do just the opposite. We decided that we were going to think outside the box and do fun things.”

~ Barb Feaser, DSP, Home and Community Services

“I would like to nominate Ashley Wormsley for any recognition that you might be able to give! A cruise? A Disney trip? SHE IS SO DESERVING OF THIS AND MORE!

Ashley stepped into the supervisory role seamlessly! She has helped Emily and her job coaches immensely with her new job. She has gone above and beyond by taking Emily for her TB test and her fingerprints, offered to take her shopping for uniform pants, initiated all the online pre-employment tasks with Emily, and, is even scheduling time to take Emily to get her ID renewed.”

~ Crystal Bennett, mother of Emily, participant at Pathways Academy/Residential Services

Message from the CEO

Both of these testimonials are representative of the extraordinary relationship that develops between UCP’s Direct Support Professionals and the participants and family members they support day in and day out. The impact and the importance of those relationships–both for the individual and the staff member–has never been more evident than over the course of the past 18 months. UCP’s Jen Walters may have captured that sentiment best when she said, “I am not sure if I have changed the lives of any one individual while I have worked for UCP but I will say that they have ALL changed my life forever. Even though this is my job, it is much more than that. It is my life, my livelihood, my inspiration.”

I encourage you to set aside a few minutes of your time to read the heartfelt testimonials submitted by UCP DSPs explaining, in their own words, why they do what they do. You’ll be amazed by what you read.

View the DSP Appreciation message from UCP President/CEO Janeen Latin:

Read more Stories from the Heart.