Each September we take time to honor the extraordinary contributions of Direct Support Professionals during DSP Recognition Week. This nationwide celebration shines a spotlight on the compassionate, skilled, and dedicated team members who make Living Well’s mission possible. Our DSPs empower the people we support to thrive every day. Their unwavering commitment to individuals with disabilities is nothing short of remarkable, and without their dedication, we could not provide the exceptional care and services our mission depends on.
DSP Recognition Week is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the incredible people who have chosen to make a career out of caring for others. This well-deserved week of appreciation reminds us how grateful we are for our DSPs. Their work is vital, their impact is immeasurable, and every DSP deserves to be recognized and celebrated.
On Monday, perfectly timed to kick off DSP Week, something amazing happened for Living Well.
The film we were part of, How to Care, has been nominated for an Upper Midwest Regional Emmy Award! The fact that this news comes during DSP Week makes it all the more special. This moving documentary has already received incredible recognition—winning both the Jury and Audience Choice awards at the Minneapolis–St. Paul International Film Festival, as well as Best Short at the Arts in Healing Film Festival in Portland. Now, it’s headed for regional Emmy consideration on October 18. What a meaningful tribute to DSPs everywhere—your dedication, compassion, and stories are finally being seen and celebrated. We are so proud to be part of sharing this message, and we’ll keep you updated as we cheer for a win for the filmmakers!
A Second BIG update is that ARRM announced their ARRM Cares Award winners on Tuesday. And luckily for Living Well, we have a WINNER in the Rising Star category. We are delighted to share that Alejandro Castro, who has worked at Living Well for over two years, was one of six winners that were announced on social media. Program Manager, Cynthia Hinojosa, says, “Alejandro I am really proud of you! And I am happy that other people have recognized the growth you have had here at Living Well in such a short time. The love, care, and concern you show other people is obvious and is seen every single day with the work you do. I look forward to watching you become an even stronger advocate over time and growing and learning in everything you do at Living Well and in life in general.”
Alejandro was our DSP of the week back on June 6, 2024, you can read more here. Congrats, Alejandro!
The ARRM Cares Awards were established to recognize professionals who provide direct care and demonstrate a commitment to quality services. This year directors and managers nominated Alejandro along with Dolphine Momanyi, Angie Olson, Talasia Riley, Leber Saye, Kevin Sullivan and Maia Xiong. While not everyone could win, we were honored to have two finalists this year. Alejandro, along with Talasia, were selected to represent Living Well, and we couldn’t have been happier. We celebrated Alejandro’s win with a little party at the Thompson house on Monday. And leadership will celebrate all Living Well nominees at a luncheon soon. We appreciate all of you!
In addition to the incredible ARRM win and Upper Midwest Regional Emmy nomination, we are thrilled to share that Ville City Pizza Co., located in the Roseville VFW was so impressed by the work our DSPs do in community, that they have chosen Living Well as their partner of the month and will donate a portion of sales to Living well for the month of September. They are open Wednesday through Sunday, and you can find more info and hours here. Huge thanks to Recruitment Manager, Nate Altman, for connecting us to Ville City Pizza!
Here are some other ways we celebrated all the remarkable DSPs of Living Well Disability Services this past week.
The HR Team recently returned to Highland Popcorn to help pack treat bags. Highland Popcorn is a mission-driven company that creates meaningful job opportunities for people with disabilities. Their values align beautifully with ours, making them the perfect partner.
Care packages with popcorn, some heart shaped chocolates, a coupon for Union 32, and an insulated grocery bag were then scheduled for delivery to houses for the staff this week. Deliveries also included homemade baked oatmeal for breakfast. New this year, Kind Bars were sent to the houses with notes for coworkers to give each other shoutouts for being KIND.
At Living Well, we have the BEST DSPs ever!
Caring for others with such meaning, impact, and kindness deserves a BIG shoutout—and we are so lucky to have so many DSPs who have been sharing their gifts for decades! DSP Week is truly special. We are blessed to work alongside caregivers whose compassion, dedication, and advocacy make a lasting difference every single day. To our DSPs—thank you for the love, respect, and commitment you show in making the lives of others brighter and more meaningful.
We appreciate all of you!
Join our mailing list and never miss out on invites and information. Click here to get a weekly email! Email Adrienne at Adrienne.deruyck@livingwell.org for more information about house openings.