Some of The Resource Center’s 2021 Everyday Heroes pose together: from left, front row, Sabrina Avery, Robert Thompson and Katy Lauffenburger; and, back row, Sheila St. John, Mary Jane Mizner and Althea Maxwell. (The other Everyday Hero, Britnie Barmore, was unable to attend the event.) Submitted photo

The Resource Center recently honored some of its employees who have done an outstanding job of supporting people with disabilities to lead meaningful lives.

During Direct Support Professional Recognition Week, The Resource Center held its annual “Everyday Hero Celebration.” The event recognizes the efforts of several direct support professionals. These are the workers who support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities in TRC’s homes, day programs and in the community. This year, seven people were honored as Everyday Heroes: Sabrina Avery, Britnie Barmore, Katy Lauffenburger, Althea Maxwell, Mary Jane Mizner, Sheila St. John, and Robert Thompson.

Here are profiles of the 2021 Everyday Heroes:

Sabrina Avery is a DSP at The Resource Center’s Day Habilitation Program on Jones & Gifford Avenue in Jamestown, and she also helps out in some of TRC’s homes. “She is willing to help in any activity or job assignment and adds enjoyment to the lives of the individuals she serves,” said the co-worker who nominated Avery.

Britnie Barmore is a self-determination assistant who works with a couple who live in one of TRC’s homes in Jamestown. “She is a very strong advocate for these folks and ensures that they are receiving the supports that they want and need,” one co-worker said. Barmore also supports the husband in his job. “She consistently treats him with respect, assists him in improving his work product, demonstrates an understanding of the importance work plays in his life,” the man’s supervisor said.

Katy Lauffenburger is the manager at one of TRC’s homes in Jamestown. She began working at TRC seven years ago as a DSP and has progressed through a series of different positions in advancing her career. “Katy has put so much of herself in caring for and about the many individuals we support,” said the person who nominated her. “She has worked with so many different individuals and staff who all hold her in high regard for her love, caring and talents.”

Althea Maxwell normally is a pre-vocational instructor who supports people with disabilities to participate in unpaid work experiences and learn skills as they pursue their dream of employment in Northern Chautauqua County. During the pandemic Maxwell began working as a job coach, supporting people with disabilities who worked in the community. “She met with them at many different places of employment, assisting them with their job duties so they could maintain or advance in their job duties,” her supervisor said.

Mary Jane Mizner is a medical aide at one of TRC’s homes in Celoron. Besides doing a great job in her role as medical aide, Mizner helps out wherever needed in the home and is willing to stay late and come to work on weekends. “MJ always ensures that all of the individuals are well taken care of, happy and healthy,” said the home’s residence coordinator. “She is one of the most caring, happy and cheerful, knowledgeable staff I have ever known.”

Sheila St. John is a DSP at one of the homes at TRC’s Intermediate Care Facility on Foote Avenue in Jamestown, and she helps out in other homes when needed. “Sheila goes the extra mile to ensure the people we support are involved in what they want to do,” said St. John’s supervisor. St. John also comes to the home on her day off to take one of the residents to church every Sunday.

Robert Thompson has been a DSP at one of TRC’s homes in Jamestown for more than 20 years. “He represents a level of staffing continuity that we don’t see much anymore,” said the supervisor who nominated Thompson. “He has developed a high level of trust with the individuals, which makes him a very valuable employee. He knows the little details about the individuals, and he helps the other staff learn the individuals.” Another supervisor also noted Thompson’s support of fellow staff: “If a teammate is struggling, he takes the time to show them how to perform the task and follow up to make sure they learned how to do it.”

Video profiles of the seven Everyday Heroes can be viewed on TRC’s Facebook and Instagram pages.

Nineteen other people who were nominated for an Everyday Hero award received honorable mention: Tania Alfonso, Ashley Brown, Desaray Brown, Angela Dalrymple, Kristen Farmer, Beth Hayner, Cheyenne Houghwot, Jodie Johnson, Julia Johnson, Eric Marx, Briana Matteson, Christine Monroe, Tracy Murphy, Satori Powell, John Rutsky, Jamar Smith, Cheryl Stow, Melissa Weilert, and Sandra Young.

Other activities that took place at various TRC locations during Direct Support Professional Recognition Week included free meals for staff and daily prize drawings.