A number of dedicated disability professionals have successfully made the switch from community-based services to supporting people living in AHRC New York City residences. Spurred by the COVID-19 pandemic, the transition to Residential Services for many Day Services staff members provided the employees with a new outlook on their careers while maintaining critical support and relationships for their colleagues and residents.
“Working in Residential Services has opened my eyes to a different way of living that I don’t have to experience. Coming here gives me an even broader perspective of how the people we support live day to night,” said Emmeri Archer, an Assistant Manager at Gruenstein residence in Hollis, Queens. She had been exposed to an inclusion program in high school via her mom’s work and wanted to continue dispelling some of the misconceptions the general public may have about people with disabilities through working at AHRC NYC, starting at Kings Highway Day Center.
“Some people are scared to be around our guys because they don’t know how they are, because they are different,” Emmeri said. “Being here is a good way for me and others to further experience their lifestyles.”
Mutual Benefits for All Parties
Christina Howell, Assistant Director of AHRC NYC’s Residential Services, said that AHRC NYC staff members that were previously in community-based programs served a vital role in maintaining a continuity of services after the onset of the pandemic.
“In the beginning of the pandemic, we didn’t have ADS staff coming into our homes, but the anxiety of the routine changes and other stressors became unmanageable, especially at a time when staff anxiety was high, too.”
Christina Howell, Assistant Director of AHRC NYC’s Residential Services
“It was part of the extra effort that all AHRC NYC staff put in—after hours included—to make sure we were giving the supports to residents and their staff to work with what was thrown at us,” Christina explained.
The results have been of mutual benefit to the agency, staff members, and residents. Christina added, “We were able to hire so many ADS colleagues that may have otherwise left the agency. For these employees, positions in Residential Services can offer increased flexibility and more favorable working hours for their individual schedules. An additional benefit was that residents were able to be supported at home by people who knew them well from their day programs.”
Sohail Peter, previously a Community Support Professional at Cyril Weinberg Day Center, chose to work at Fresh Meadow Lane residence for the early morning shift, 6 am to 2 pm. Some of the residents he supports continue to receive day services from Sohail’s colleagues.
“The work over here, the way the managers and the staff take care of the residents, planning for the residents on a daily basis and their health and their wellbeing, made a big difference to me. Here you get the complete package,” Sohail said. He successfully transitioned the skills he learned at the day center to the home.
“Cyril Weinberg Day Center was the first place where I worked with people with a disability. It made me ask myself ‘how can I help them to be fully involved in the community?’ I would take the people I supported all over the local neighborhood, and it has been the same here at the residence.”
Transition to Management
Many prior community-based employees, including Sohail and Emmeri, have thrived in the residences such that they have been promoted to Assistant Manager positions. Sohail was initially at another Queens-based residence but chose to return to Fresh Meadows Lane when a position opened up due to his familiarity with the residents.
Christina said, “Sohail and Emmeri brought great demeanors and different perspectives to their residences They pick up where there no directive is needed. That’s seen by their colleagues and supervisors, and by the residents.”
For Emmeri, the transition has been informative and fulfilling. “Management is definitely busier. When residents or families bring their problems to us as Direct Support Professionals, sometimes we can do but so much. Now I see I can help them more than just relaying the issue to someone else.”
Sohail said that his prior experience in the day programs has allowed for better communication between community-based staff members and the residents.
“I know how the day program works. I also how the residents’ days are going, and what we need to do to ensure they have a good day. If someone is not in a good mood in the morning, I can give the day program heads up, to tell them to keep an eye on that person. That way, they are prepared for what the day might bring.”
Looking ahead, Sohail and Emmeri see continued success in their new roles.
“I’m not scared to learn something new,” Emmeri said. “I’m young too, so this job makes me a little more mature because I have to move in new ways.”
