Local non-profit Journeys in Community Living and other area health and social services entities across the state will be busily celebrating Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week this week.

Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam recently proclaimed Sept. 8 – 14 as Direct Support Professionals Recognition Week in honor of the men and women who work tirelessly to aid individuals with developmental disabilities.

Direct support staff can be found supporting individuals in almost every aspect of their lives in an effort to help those individuals along the path toward becoming fully integrated members of society.

Journeys employs more than 150 direct support professionals in all to aid its more than 120 individuals.

“We would like to take this opportunity to show our direct support staff that they are very much appreciated,” said Betty McNeely, executive director of Journeys. “We appreciate their professionalism and dedication to their work.”

Mark Bell, development coordinator at Journeys, said he’s been repeatedly impressed by the hard work of Journeys' staff since taking on his new role at Journeys in late June.

“I’m constantly amazed at how hard these folks work to do a good job,” he said. “You can tell they really care about what they are doing, and love making a difference in these people's lives.”

Journeys will celebrate its employees during this special week with food and prizes.

A special employee appreciation lunch event will be held Thursday from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Experience Church on Old Salem Road.

More Information: 

For those who are interested in becoming a direct support professional for Journeys, learn more by visiting www.journeysincommunity.org and clicking on the “employment” tab, or by calling Rachel Burch at 615-890-4389.

Like and follow Journeys in Community Living on Facebook (facebook.com/journeysincommunity) and Twitter (twitter.com/journeystn).