Rosa is a soft spoken but confident and inspiring Direct Support Professional (DSP) at CFS. Although, Rosa considers herself a shy person, it’s never stopped her from pursuing excellence as a DSP at CFS or from embracing new challenges and experiences in life. Rosa seems to have fostered a similar spirit in Christine, the CFS participant who Rosa supports today.
As a dedicated DSP, Rosa has spent nearly three decades at CFS helping individuals achieve their goals and live more fulfilling, independent, and meaningful lives. Reflecting on this journey, Rosa admits, “In the beginning, I thought this work wasn’t for me.” During her first week at CFS, she felt outside her comfort zone and decided DSP work was not for her. A week later, she challenged herself and said, “I need to give this another chance.” 28 years later, she is still at CFS and has become a much loved, respected, and inspiring DSP.
Rosa started in CFS’ Day Habilitation (Day Hab) program before transitioning to the Community Habilitation program, where she has made such a profound, positive impact on the participants she supports. Rosa worked for years in the Day Hab program, then spent 10 years supporting two participant families through CFS’ Community Hab program. Six year later, she transitioned to working fulltime supporting and working with Christine through Community Hab.
Over these six years, the bond between Christine and Rosa has flourished. Rosa expresses her happiness, stating, “I’m so glad to have her, and I think she feels the same.”
CFS’ Day Hab and Community Hab programs serve different purposes. In Day Hab, plans and rules of support vary, often limited to around six hours of support a day. In Day Hab, DSPs work with participants living mostly in CFS residences or at their family’s home. In contrast, Community Hab involves more activities and adventures that support participants’ desire for deeper inclusion and integration into the communities, neighborhoods, and cities in which they live.
Five days a week, Rosa and Christine spend eight hours a day exploring Christine’s neighborhood and city together. Christine loves visiting the library, exploring her neighborhood, sitting on park benches to people watch and enjoy the fresh air, and engaging in arts and crafts.
Christine, who used to be very shy and hesitant to venture out, has undergone remarkable changes these past six years under the care of Rosa’s love, guidance, and support. Rosa has encouraged her to explore the world outside. She also encouraged Christine to begin journaling on a daily basis. In fact, journaling has become a vital channel through which Christine has learned to overcome her shyness and express her goals and desires. Often after journaling, Christine will tell Rosa what she wants. She will say, “Rosa, today I want to go to the park” or “Today, let’s go to the Lego store.”
These skills and Rosa’s company encourage Christine to continue to venture out of her comfort zone to explore the world around her. But, Rosa not only encourages Christine’s adventurous spirit but also supports her in developing financial independence. Together, they work on budgeting whenever Christine receives her benefits, ensuring she allocates funds for bills, savings, and even shopping.
The transformation has been inspiring!
Rosa’s dedication extends beyond outings. She plays a vital role in Christine’s overall growth and well-being. The two attend medical appointments and manage essential errands together, ensuring Christine feels empowered in her daily life. Their attendance at the weekly workshops offered at CFS’ Manhattan and Bronx offices serve as additional opportunities for growth.
Since partnering with Christine, Rosa has helped her build up her savings, maintain regular appointments, and engage socially with peers. “Christine loves having lunch with her friends,” Rosa shares with pride.
“I love that CFS takes our work as DSPs so seriously. They always communicate with staff and participants and make sure there’s something going on that stimulates growth. Working with CFS is important because participants and staff are made to feel valued. It is also a place that helps everyone be their best,” says Rosa. “When I started working at CFS, I didn’t have any experience, but they encouraged and supported me to get that experience on the job. I had the most generous superiors and teammates who helped me grow into this work and learn all the things I didn’t know.”
Rosa’s story is just one of many that illustrates the community CFS has nourished and the profound impact our DSPs have on the participants and families we support. Through compassion and dedication, Rosa is representative of our beloved DSPs, who persevere every day to help individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) identify their needs, achieve their goals, and live the lives they desire and deserve.
Rosa’s inspiring journey and dedication will be recognized and celebrated this year at our 70th Year Anniversary Awards Dinner on October 24, 2024 where she will be a guest speaker!
Join us to honor Rosa and all of CFS DSPs with our participants, families, staff, supporters, and partners at this year’s dinner… and always!
Thank you, Rosa and all our extraordinary DSPs for your excellent work and for inspiring those around you!
