As a non-profit organization, The Wayside has a Mission Statement -- and a good one at that: Our Lady of the Wayside enriches the lives of individuals who have developmental disabilities. We provide individuals and their families pathways to healthy and productive personal growth through professional care and guidance. Wayside’s Mission Statement appropriately and importantly reminds us of who we are and where we came from, all while setting the bar high. More, it’s a promise to the children and adults with developmental disabilities Wayside serves – a promise fulfilled day-in-and-day-out by the 700 staff working for the agency.
The vast majority of Wayside’s staff are Direct Service Professionals – DSP’s. Their work day starts out fairly average: get to work, punch the timeclock and roll up their sleeves. But from there, things get pretty extraordinary. The heart and soul of Wayside, DSP’s work directly with each and every one of the 700 children and adults we support. Cooking, driving and grocery shopping … bathing, changing and dosing medications … listening, redirecting and watching-like-a-hawk … DSP’s are helping hands, important advocates and the embodiment of promises kept.
Direct. Service. Professional. When you think about it, it’s a pretty profound title with a job description that charges them with the responsibility of making life better for the people in their care. They’re on a mission alright … and on behalf of the individuals Our Lady of the Wayside supports, their families and the agency’s Board of Directors, I offer heartfelt appreciation, respect and thanks.
~Terry Davis
President & CEO