Direct Support Professional: A Fulfilling & Rewarding Role

A group of people are posing for a picture with wheelchairs.

Hope Haven International Ministries continues to make worldwide impacts

By kvanderpol • January 15, 2025
Iowa Hawkeye Wide Receiver, Reece Vander Zee, recently spent a day with his family refurbishing wheelchairs at the Hope Haven International Ministries (HHIM) workshop in Rock Valley. The 18-year-old from […] The post Hope Haven International Ministries continues to make worldwide impacts appeared first on Hope Haven.
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Russell Dickerson Concert

July 10, 2025
Exciting News! Don’t miss this incredible country concert featuring Russell Dickerson, who quickly stood out from the pack with four consecutive career-starting singles reaching No. One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Known for hits like “Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” “Every Little Thing,” and “God Gave Me A Girl,” his latest single, “Bones,” is already making waves! Grab your tickets now and join us for an unforgettable night of music! Saturday, August 2nd, 2025 Live at The District I All-Ages Show PIT Doors Open 6:00 PM | GA Doors 6:30 PM | Show Starts 7:30 PM Purchase Tickets Today: CLICK HERE THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS: PEOPLES BANK | WIRELESS WORLD | FIRST PREMIER BANK About Russell Dickerson Russell Dickerson is known for his electrifying performances and “unstoppable energy fans can’t get enough of” (E! News). After bursting onto the scene, the Tennessee native quickly stood out from the pack as he released four consecutive career-starting singles that reached No. One on the Billboard Country Airplay chart. Since then, Dickerson has earned platinum or better status on singles including “Yours” (3X Platinum), “Blue Tacoma” (2X Platinum), “Every Little Thing” (Platinum), “Love You Like I Used To” (Platinum), and “She Likes It” ft. Jake Scott (2X Platinum). Just last year, he clocked his fifth No. One with “God Gave Me A Girl.” This year, he released “Good Day To Have A Great Day,” followed by his latest single “Bones,” which was the biggest radio debut of his career. For more information, visit www.russelldickerson.com .
A large group of people are sitting at long tables in a large room.

Benefit Auction

By nicole.andree • February 19, 2025
April 4, 2025
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In this blog Direct Support Professional (DSP) Dante shares his firsthand account of working at Hope Haven and why he loves his job.

I’ve been working with these four awesome guys since August 2018. Previous to starting with Hope Haven  I had been working construction jobs. I was pouring concrete for a while then I was traveling and building grain bins around the country. We even got to go to California for a couple months but it still wasn’t really what I was looking for. Later I found out from my Mom that Hope Haven was looking for help. I thought that it might be a positive change for me and a new experience with a different kind of work from what I was used to more fulfilling maybe.

So I applied. I have always tried to be an open and understanding person and I thought those skills would help me as a new Direct Support Professional. I started out in August and boy I was nervous. But I caught on soon enough and had the joy of getting to know Eric Wayne Dylan and Jeremy. It has been very wholesome for me working with the guys has been a learning experience.  I’ve learned that being personable is more important than being demanding and that those snickers commercials are true; ‘You’re not you when you’re hungry!’ Sometimes a snack is all it takes to turn a crabby guy into a happy guy.

My favorite part of my job has got to be the evening walks we’ll take on the weekends and shoot hoops at the park. It’s not all sunshine and rainbows though! The hardest part of this job for me is calming them down when they are upset and angry. Sometimes all it takes is a little conversation talking through what they are upset about. Our days can bring a lot of surprises but I always find time for spinning Eric around in his chair and getting some laughs out of him! Eric has taught me that it doesn’t need to take much to be happy! 

My advice to a new team member would be to always be open   show the people you’re working with that you respect their choices and what they think and they will give it right back. It has worked for me and I think that the guys and I have not only a good working relationship but a great friendship as well. I also get to work with some of the most helpful and kind staff. I’m glad to be a part of Hope Haven!

Interested in joining our team as a DSP? Apply here.