YAI salutes its Direct Support Professionals. As part of National DSP Recognition Week, we will share profiles of some of our valued employees. They represent all our DSPs in their commitment and dedication to the people YAI supports. 

 

Image

Jacqueline Hyde has no regrets when she decided to join YAI's 206th Street residence nearly nine years ago. 
 

I Just Want to Be Here
 

In fact, she holds the distinction of having never been late to work. "I wake up in the morning and I want to come to work," she says. "If you wake up one morning and you don't want to go to work, then you need to find a new job. I just want to be here."

 

"Not once," adds Crystal McLeod, Senior Supervisor, who has been with YAI for 15 years. "That’s just unheard of."

 

The people living in the Bronx home are her second family.

A Traditional Thanksgiving
 

And as such, she decided to prepare a traditional Thanksgiving dinner for the 10 residents and four staff members last November.
 

"She worked with the people we support to choose foods they wanted, designed a restaurant quality menu, decorated the table and prepared a wonderful meal," said Valerie Renart, Residential Coordinator.
 

There were appetizers - chicken wings, meatballs and salt and pepper shrimp. Homemade chicken soup, salad, alongside a  turkey with all the trimmings and ham (for those who don't like turkey). And of course, there was a choice of apple or pumpkin pie with ice cream.
 

"I really, really enjoyed it," Jacqueline said, adding that some people went home for Thanksgiving and had more when they returned to the residence. "The fact that everyone appreciated this, made me happy."
 

Jacqueline personifies advocacy, patience, warmth and care. She embraces YAI's person-centered approach.

Increasing Independence

 

"The people we support should still be allowed to make their own decisions and advocate for what they want in life," she says. "To see somebody move from not being able to travel in the community to going out on their own or go from not knowing how to use the stove to using it with supervision shows that they can be more independent and do things on their own."