Jesse Farren-James won the 2018 ANCOR Direct Support Professional of the Year Award for Massachusetts. Not surprising to anyone who knows her but, interestingly enough, she herself was surprised when she found out about it.
Jesse is a chronically upbeat and positive person who cares deeply for the people she supports and works with. I know this because I work with her and have seen this first-hand. Her deeds of caring and compassion occur on a daily basis. Even when faced with difficult issues, Jesse smiles and views problems from the other person’s point of view, weighing the issues with caution and careful thought. Inevitably, Jesse is able to work out these issues pragmatically with positivity and determination.Jesse came into this field, supporting people with Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities in 2006. She did not intend to work with this population as her college studies focused on helping troubled adolescents and teens. After graduating from Cambridge College in June 2002 with a BA in Psychology with concentration in juvenile justice, Jesse worked as a receptionist for a private company, doing work that was not related to her field of study. In 2006, Jesse was asked by a family friend to apply to WCI – Work, Community, Independence, a non-profit agency, which is funded primarily by DDS, but also by MCB, MRC and DMH . She applied for a job with WCI and was hired into a supervisory position right from the start. Jesse thought that this job would only be temporary until something related to her college training came up. After a recent talk with Jesse, she explained that she fell in love with the work, the people she was working with, and never looked back. She has been with WCI ever since and continues to excel in her job.Jesse’s immediate supervisor, Paula Dunn-Meadows, Division Head for Social Supports, nominated her for this award. Paula cited numerous examples of how Jesse was able to help the individuals she supports with achieving their goals.
For instance, one individual wanted to become more independent in his community and utilize community resources on his own. Jesse was able to work with this individual and his mother/guardian to show he could navigate the streets safely, find his way to and from destinations of his choice, and utilize good interpersonal and personal safety skills with strangers. Through travel training, Jesse role played scenarios with the individual which made him very comfortable. Now he is able to access the community independently and his mother is more at ease with his abilities.Another individual wanted to learn more about Self-Advocacy and go to college. Jesse helped him enroll at Mass Bay Community College where he attended classes weekly with staff (who took notes for him). He was able to complete all of his assignments and graduated. He also met a number of new people and improved his self-advocacy skills.Jesse also helped support two people, who have known each other for years, develop a significant relationship with each other. At first, Jesse helped them with dating which included how someone should ask another person out on a date, how to plan on what to do, and what conversation is appropriate when dating. Next she faded her level of assistance. Within the past year, Jesse helped with the purchase of an engagement ring and now this couple is engaged to be married.These are just of few of many examples of how Jesse helps support the individuals with whom she works. Jesse describes her focus at work is to maximize each Individual’s level of independence in areas of their own needs, preferences, and interests. She does this with a lot of enthusiasm and a positive attitude. It’s hard to describe this quality in words, but if you met her, you’ll know exactly what I mean. Jesse has a wonderful sense of humor and is very articulate, sometimes even outspoken. If I were to make an analogy of Jesse’s personality, each day for Jesse is like the first real warm day in Spring for the rest of us. You feel good about yourself, your life, you’re happy to be alive, and even the bugs don’t bother you. It’s a feeling, that even on a “bad day”, things aren’t so bad in the grand scheme of things. This feeling gives you a spring in your step. If you know Jesse and spend time with her, this feeling will rub off on you.
Jesse enjoys spending time with her family and includes her family life in some work activities. Her children and husband have involvement with the Individuals that she supports and they invite and are invited to many shared activities (parties, picnics, sporting events, holidays). The Individuals visit with her and her family at her home, on occasion.Jesse also has a close personal relationship with the 8 long-term staff who she supervises. All of the staff work well together and enjoy what they do. If you ask any one of them, they will tell you that Jesse is a model of leadership, generosity, and compassion.WCI extends its congratulations to Jesse in receiving the ANCOR DSP of the Year Award for 2018. It is well deserved! If we could only find a way to clone Jesse so we could share a spring in our step year round with all of the people we support!
