Each year, the Minnesota Organization for Habilitation and Rehabilitation (MOHR) honors direct support professionals (DSPs) from across the state for their exceptional service on behalf of people with disabilities.
“This year’s honorees exceed the call of duty to support the people they serve,” explains Robin Harkonen, president of MOHR. “We were deeply impressed with their accomplishments which range from designing programs to helping people with disabilities interact with active-duty military members, to improving medical outcomes for individuals they serve, to purchasing adaptive instruments and expanding access to music opportunities.”
For over 20 years, Lotta has served the participants of ProAct with passion, dedication, and creativity. Lotta’s knack for connecting with participants with high medical needs has provided much needed comfort to both participants and their families. She created multiple elective classes including ‘Painting with Lotta,’ a special book club for non-verbal participants, and a community class ‘Coffee Club’ that chooses a destination once per month, along with many others. From creating new classes to making personal connections, Lotta is the source of many success stories. Just two years ago, a new participant joined the ProAct program who barely spoke. Lotta made it her mission to make a connection, and her dedication saw to that same participant now speaking to everyone he can, smiling constantly, and taking an active role in classes and outings. Every day she brings her calm and caring personality to every task, ensuring every individual she meets knows she is listening to them and is here to help.
“Lotta in every staff meeting expresses that her mission is to make our enrichment services the best in the state. We are so incredibly proud to have Lotta as a part of our team,” said Judie Foster-Lupkin, President & CEO of ProAct Inc. “Her dedication to being a Direct Support Professional is inspiring and this recognition to her compassionate service is well deserved.”
This year’s awards align with National Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, September 7 – 13, which honors all DSPs for providing essential services to people with disabilities. Their work encompasses individualized support including employment readiness and job acquisition, meal preparation, medication assistance, personal care, and life skills training, mobility, work and life enrichment opportunities, and help with daily tasks. All of these services allow individuals with disabilities to stay connected in the community, join the workforce, and live impactful lives.
“All five of this year’s honorees approach their work with passion, creativity, flexibility, and a high degree of self-motivation that has allowed them to go above and beyond for people in their communities,” adds Harkonen.
You can learn more about MOHR’s direct support professional award along with Lotta’s fellow award recipients at https://mohrmn.org/news-events/awards/dsp-awards.html
About ProAct Inc.
ProAct Inc. is an in-center, virtual, and community-based service provider for individuals with disabilities. Through four sites in Eagan, Red Wing, Shakopee, and Hudson, ProAct strives to provide person-centered services that enhance the quality of life for people with disabilities in the areas of employment, life skills, and community inclusion. For more information about ProAct Inc. please visit https://www.proactinc.org/.
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(Left to Right: Judie Foster-Lupkin, President & CEO of ProAct Inc, Susanne ‘Lotta’ Facente, Direct Support Professional & Award Recipient, Ali Brown, Senior Program Manager of Day Support Services for ProAct Shakopee, Doug Cowles, Program Director of Day Support Services of ProAct Inc.)
