Horizon Project provides supports and opportunities for personal growth, integration, and independence to adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities but we also provide professional development for the people who support them. Each team member have a special value to us and get to live a unique experience at HPI. Today we will have a joy to know a little bit about our team member Angela Y. – our STEP Center Specialist, and learn from her.
1) When did you start working for HPI? l has been working for HPI in since 2014.
2) Why did you wish to work for Horizon Project Inc.? When I came to work for HPI I did not know much about HPI or how It impacted the Disabled community in our small town. When l first started working here HPI was still doing the recycling and the clients were working in the in the recycling area. HPI has changed a lot since then. It is good to see the growth from the clients going from working in the recycling area to clients working in intrigued employment in our community.
3) What do you feel is the most important part of working with Adults with Disabilities? I feel the most important part of being a DSP is getting to change the lives the people we work with by helping them achieve their goals. I work down at the day support activities room.
4) Could you share with us any memorable story/experience you had with clients? Most days are memorable experiences with the people I support. They all have their own unique personalities and styles that make this experience for me 1 in a million. It is a very rewarding job.
5) Do you have any advice for anyone wanting to start working with IDD clients? My advice to any one coming to work as a DSP is get to know the people you are working with. Have an open mind. They are capable of doing anything they set their minds to do. Encourage their growth. Have fun with them make your day enjoyable. Treat them how you would want to be treated. Since becoming a DSP it has changed my idea of the IDD community for the better. They have taught me that we all have dreams that we want to achieve and so do they. All it takes is awesome staff to help them figure out what their dreams are and help them to achieve them. Do not set limits on them. They may take a little longer achieving their goals but with the right support from staff. They can accomplish anything they choose to accomplish. It an amazing feeling when they accomplish their goals and being a part of that change to make a difference in their lives. Sometimes the small achievements are the big achievements.
Angela is one of the amazing people that make difference and other people’s lives. We are so thrilled to have her in our team!