Our DSP for this week is Ola. He has been with Living Well for 9 months and in a short time has made a big impact on the houses he supports. He started at Carmen and is now a float, which means he helps several houses.
Alexis Jackson, Staffing Manager, says, “Ola is truly a superstar employee! Anything that you ask him to do or a new house to go to, every response is always a yes. He is always so flexible and open to just jump in and go where the help is needed. Whether it is a morning shift, afternoon shift, overnight, double, or assisting someone on an appointment, Ola is always your guy! He is someone that works so hard, has special bonds with the people served, has such a big heart, and someone you can always rely on for anything! Thank you for everything that you do, I am so lucky and thankful to have you on our float team, Ola!”
Franklin Ajayi, Program Manager at Carmen, says, “Olalekan consistently provides compassionate, person-centered support, treating individuals with dignity, respect, and kindness while promoting independence and encouraging personal growth. He is reliable and dependable, always arrives to work on time, maintains excellent attendance, completes assigned duties without constant supervision, and willingly assists coworkers when needed. Ola maintains a positive attitude in all situations, follows agency policies, procedures, and care plans, and communicates effectively with individuals, families, and team members. He always ensures the health and safety of individuals, advocates for their rights, choices, and well-being, and quickly identifies and reports concerns or incidents appropriately. Ola works collaboratively with coworkers and supervisors, demonstrates leadership by setting a positive example, and helps train, mentor, and support new staff members. He also takes initiative to address challenges, find creative solutions to support individuals’ needs, and consistently goes above and beyond normal job expectations.”
Ola, you clearly are an asset to the team and we appreciate you! Thank you for all you do to help the people you support.
ABOUT OLALEKAN
Number of years/months with Living Well: 9 months
Hobbies/Interests: Photography, videography, graphic design, community service, learning new skills, and spending time with family and friends.
Education (college, if so what kind of degree): Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Statistics.
Job Experience/History: I have experience working as a Direct Support Professional and caregiver supporting individuals with disabilities. Before moving to the United States, I also worked professionally in photography and videography for over 10 years. I currently operate my photography business, Golden Lens Studio.
Favorite part of the job: Building meaningful relationships with the people we support and helping them live fulfilling, independent lives. I enjoy seeing them happy and achieving their goals.
Favorite or craziest work story: One of my favorite experiences is helping individuals participate in community activities and seeing the excitement they have when trying something new or accomplishing a goal they are proud of.
What is your motivation for coming to work: My biggest motivation is the people we support. Knowing that my work can make a positive difference in someone’s day inspires me to always give my best. I also value working alongside dedicated coworkers who share the same mission.
What made you apply: I have always enjoyed helping others and making a positive impact in people’s lives. Living Well’s mission aligned with my values of compassion, respect, and service.
What makes you stay: The relationships I have built with the people we support, my coworkers, and the opportunity to make a meaningful difference every day.
What would you tell people interested in joining the team: If you are compassionate, patient, and enjoy helping others, this is a rewarding career where you can truly make a difference in people’s lives while also growing personally and professionally.
When not at work what do you like to do for fun: I enjoy photography and videography, editing photos and videos, exploring creative projects, attending community events, and spending time with family and friends
Do you volunteer in your community or school: I frequently use my photography and videography skills to support community events and special occasions, helping capture meaningful moments for individuals and families.
Want to nominate a DSP? Please email jessica.maurer@livingwell.org to nominate a Living Well DSP. Special thanks to Miles and Cheri Cohen for their support of DSP of Week. Want to join them in underwriting our DSP Shoutout Program? Please contact Jamee.Yung@livingwell.org for sponsorship opportunities.