When Humanim’s Southern Maryland Community Connections participant Shirley is asked about her relationship with direct support professionals (DSPs) Connie and Peggy, her response captures the essence of person-centered support:
“They ask us what we like to do, and then we go do those things.”
Simple as it may sound, Shirley’s words reflect a powerful principle: people thrive when their choices, preferences, and goals guide the support they receive.
For decades, Connie and Peggy have helped make that principle a reality. Their work is not defined by routines or tasks. Instead, it is centered on listening, understanding, and creating opportunities for the people they support to lead meaningful lives connected to their communities.
During DSP Appreciation Week, we celebrate professionals like Connie and Peggy whose careers demonstrate the profound impact of relationship-based, person-centered support.
Direct support professionals play an essential role in helping people with disabilities live with dignity, independence, and connection. While their responsibilities may be outlined in a job description, the true value of their work is found in the relationships they build and the trust they earn over time.
For Connie and Peggy, those relationships have been cultivated over decades. Connie joined Humanim, a Melwood affiliate, more than 45 years ago, while Peggy has been supporting participants since 1990. Together, they have spent nearly a century helping individuals pursue their interests, strengthen community connections, and experience the everyday moments that enrich life.
“Our participants have given me more over the years than I ever gave back,” Connie reflects.
Today, at 70 years old, she continues to find purpose in supporting people like Shirley and Gabriel as they explore their communities, celebrate milestones, and pursue activities that matter to them. Whether attending a concert, enjoying a birthday lunch, or discovering a new local event, the focus is always on what the individual chooses and values.
That commitment to person-centered support is reflected in the genuine connections they have built. Conversations between Peggy and Shirley often center on shared interests such as gardening and favorite television shows. These interactions are not transactional; they are rooted in mutual respect, understanding, and years of shared experiences.
The strength of those relationships is perhaps most evident in the trust and belonging participants feel. When Gabriel calls Peggy shortly after seeing her simply to say he misses her, it speaks to the reassurance, consistency, and connection that meaningful support provides.
At its core, person-centered support is about recognizing each individual as the expert in their own life. It is about honoring preferences, encouraging self-determination, and ensuring people have opportunities to engage in the communities they choose. Connie and Peggy have spent their careers putting those values into practice every day.
As we celebrate DSP Appreciation Week, their stories remind us that the most impactful support begins with listening, is strengthened through trust, and creates pathways for people to live lives defined by choice, inclusion, and purpose.
For Connie and Peggy, supporting people has never been simply a profession. It has been a lifelong commitment to helping others live the lives they want for themselves. And that commitment continues to make a difference, one relationship and one meaningful connection at a time.