Coffee with First Responders!
Original Story: White Plains Public Safety
Many of The Arc Westchester Day Service DSPs spend their work day providing services alongside our Residential Staff in our 45 homes. This merging of our direct support workforce cultivates new relationships, supports residential staff, and engages our residents in new and creative activities.
On Veterans Day, residents of our Bryant Avenue home in White Plains had the opportunity sit down with some members of the White Plains Police Department in a “Coffee with a Cop” event! Direct Support Professionals Tamika Hawkins and Antoinette Faulkner helped organize and coordinate the meet and greet, in collaboration with the White Plains Department of Public Safety.
This is a unique opportunity for our residents and staff to foster relationships with law enforcement professionals, particularly during a time where increased sensitivity and trust is needed in our communities.
In a statement on their official website, White Plains Public Safety expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to interact with members of The Arc Westchester community, “We all had a terrific time filled with some great conversation with the residents and staff members. We even got to share in some of the birthday festivities of the day….Thanks again to the incredible staff there for welcoming us and we look forward to next time!”.
“We are always proud when our direct support professionals (DSPs) organize special events like these” said Avery Valins, Assistant Executive Director of Day Services, “we take great pride that our direct support heroes are committed, even with this small gesture, to be part of an effort to build relationships and embrace strong connections between the individuals we support, our staff and the community.”.
