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. 

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Patricia Terrero-Perez

Patricia Terrero-Perez spent 11 years practicing dentistry in the Dominican Republic, before moving to the United States. That's when she discovered her true calling, seven years ago, as a Direct Support Professional at YAI’s Manhattan Day Program.

With no experience in the field, she thrived working with people who needed more support. She worked with people with less challenges and today is a Lead Teacher in YAI's Community-Based Programming (CBP).

"I'm in love with YAI and being a DSP," she says proudly. "I didn't like being a dentist. You made good money but I wasn’t feeling my impact was meaningful."

Seeing the Progress

As a pioneer of YAI's CBP, which started more than two years ago, Patricia meets the four members of her group in the community (for people who are not ready to travel independently) or at a volunteer site. "You have the ability to work one-on-one at the volunteer sites. You're working with them and you can actually see the progress."

While stopping at a local church to pick up meals they will deliver to seniors from Goddard Riverside Community Center on the upper west side of Manhattan, Patricia was concerned that Juan Carlos Feliz, a volunteer , hadn't arrived yet. She tried calling him on his cell, with no success, before proceeding to the kitchen to check on the day's deliveries. There was Juan Carlos, working away, labeling and sorting meals with others. 

"He feels so valued here," she says. 

It’s Juan Carlos' day to wheel the cart. He knows the route perfectly and even reminds Patricia that an overnight water main break might disrupt the usual route. "He's like having another staff member with me," Patricia says. "He knows we need him."

Putting Families at Ease
"Some families feared that their child would not be seeing their peers and other staff," said Eric Kosta, YAI's CBP Supervisor, referring to the shift from a more structured center-based program. "Patricia has such strong relationships with the people she supports and the families that those fears were soon put to rest."

Her group volunteers at two Manhattan food pantries, where they help with food preparation, set tables and deliver meals. The experience of traveling in the community and interacting with people has increased their self-esteem and socialization skills.

"Unlike in the traditional day program, when you're a staff member in CBP,  you're the supervisor, staff, service-coordinator and advocate," Eric says. 

Growing On the Job

When she encountered two members of her group falling in love, she spoke with Eric and got training in relationships. "I feel so empowered," Patricia says. "I'm teaching them about dealing with a relationship and explaining it's normal to fight and get jealous."

Patricia also worked closely to support one of the mothers who had concerns about the relationship. "I convinced her that her daughter wants to be independent and wants a relationship," Patricia says. "It's part of life."

Another group member struggled to manage his behaviors. Patricia advocated for him to join CBP. "He's very capable and he's such a good worker."

The experience has increased his confidence  and his challenging behaviors have decreased. 

"He knows he is important to our group," she adds. "The last time I spoke to his mom, she was so grateful to YAI's CBP. He's a new person. Mom's happy because he's willing to listen to her and he's doing great. I'm very proud of him. Now he wants to find a job."

Thanks to Patricia's support, that just may happen.

"I wake up happy in the morning because I'm a DSP and not a dentist," she says. "Being happy and doing what you want is the best. My job is never boring. My day is not a photocopy of the day before."

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