Share
Laura Mendez has worked at YAI for more than 11 years, including nine as an overnight DSP (Direct Support Professional) at the Ocean Parkway residence in Brooklyn.
"I started doing overnight after I had my son, so I could take care of him during the daytime," said Mendez, noting that her nine-year anniversary of working overnights corresponds with her son's 9th birthday this week.
YAI's overnight staff are the unsung heroes of the organization. Although people we support don't have as many scheduled activities at night, staff need to stay alert in case residents wake up and need to use the bathroom, are unable to sleep, or have any unforeseen issues that arise.
As a single mom, overnight shifts fit perfectly into Mendez’s busy 24 hours. She works from 10:30 pm to 6:30 am, goes home, sends her son to school, walks her dog, and gets some sleep until it's time to pick up her son. Then she helps him with homework, they make dinner together, and Mendez gets ready to go back to work.
"I absolutely love YAI for having been so considerate with my schedule changes, and I'm grateful to have that flexibility," she said.
To learn more about working at YAI and to explore open roles, visit yai.org/careers