Direct Support Professional Recognition Week

The week of October 20 – 15, 2012 was designated by the New York Staff Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities (NYSOPWDD) as Direct Support Professional Recognition Week.  During this week agencies that provide services to people with disabilities took special time to honor those employees who work directly with these individuals.  The hours that these staff work are long and include weekends, evenings and holidays and the compensation is low, however, the responsibilities are wide-ranging and can make the difference to the successful integration of a vulnerable  population  into the life of a community.

As part of the week’s recognition Sinergia was delighted to acknowledge the work of our direct care staff and recognize the honorees at a breakfast on September 19, 2012 at our main offices.  Sinergia’s has some wonderful, dedicated direct care staff throughout several departments. The Residential, Day Habilitation and Community Habilitation programs had the difficult job of narrowing the selections down to just one employee from each department. The  honorees selected are: Gwen Baez, (13 years of service) Thainesse Caro, (4 years of service) from the Day Habilitation program; Oristela Birmudez (6 years of service) from the Community Habilitation program.  We profoundly extend our appreciation to the honorees and the entire direct care staff. We sincerely recognize the contributions they make on a daily basis to the quality of life of the persons they serve.

Photo: The Sinergia Executive staff, Michael Mitchell (Deputy Exec.), Myrta Cuadra-Lash, (Executive Director) and Dr. Bernice Moro (Associate Director) pose with Direct Support Professional of the Year honorees, Thainesse Caro (Day Habilitation) and Gwendolyn Baez (Residential).  Absent from the event was honoree Oristela Bermudez from the Community Habilitation program).  Once again, Sinergia thanks these fine people for their hard and dedication.