A great way to kick off a successful year is by visualizing your goals and how to achieve them. Cathy Loquercio, Coleen Mackin, Steven Barsh, Noah Probert, Quality Assurance Trainers, and Michelle Rudoff, AHRC Nassau Board Member and Quality Assurance Trainer, did just that, creating vision boards with Direct Support Professional (DSP) Pathways students from the Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District.

Together, self-advocates and students picked out pictures and affirmations identified through the Personal Outcome Measures process to create a visual map for achieving goals.

Cathy’s goal for 2026 is to increase her organization skills.  

“They helped me pick out a lot of pictures,” Cathy said. “They got to know me more. They know I want to organize more, and I do want to travel.”

For Noah, the year will be centered on the concept of success. His vision board included positive affirmations, such as “This is just the beginning” and “I deserve to be happy, healthy, and successful,” along with pictures displaying books and computers to visualize how to achieve more financial success. 

“I think it was great,” Noah said. “I think it was a very good experience for me as a person to bond with the students because I grew up in Merrick. That’s my old school. Now I get to talk to students. It’s really cool.”

The students were equally impressed.

“It was so much fun,” said Levi Schuyler, a student. “It was so fun getting to know Noah on a personal level rather than just a simple hello. We really got to know his motive behind why he wants success.”  

Racquia Shepherd, a fellow student, said that speaking with Noah was an amazing experience.  

“I learned how goal oriented he is, and how much of an independent person he is. I think that’s amazing,” Racquia said.  

Not only was this exercise an opportunity for the self-advocates and students to learn from each other, it was also an opportunity for students to familiarize themselves with essential skills needed to be a DSP through the National Alliance for Direct Support Professional (NADSP) E-Badge Academy.

“The energy in the room reflected true ownership of the process,” said Bridget Cariello, Assistant Director of Project Development. “Through innovative visual mapping, people translated their personal aspirations into clear, accessible paths empowering them to actively lead and follow their own life plans.” 

AHRC Nassau received an $80,000 work-based learning grant from the district, which designated funding through New York State’s Office for People with Developmental Disabilities (OPWDD). As a result, 12 students are taking part in one of the only high school-to-DSP curricula in the state, receiving hands-on experience, formal training, and direct mentorship in the field of disability services.  

After creating the vision boards, students attended a luncheon with agency leadership, talent acquisition staff, and mentors.  

“AHRC Nassau empowers people to live fulfilling lives,” said Barry Donowitz, Chief Administrative Officer. “It’s through the work that our DSPs do every day that has a meaningful impact on the people they support, and on their families, and on the many lives they touch that we actually achieve our mission. We look forward to preparing you for a very fulfilling and impactful career as a DSP.”  

The next step for the students is a 120-hour work-based learning experience at day and residential sites across the agency under mentorship of seasoned direct-care workers and managers including Brooke Gillman, Bridget Burlak, and Patrick Sherrard, Assistant Directors of Day Services, and Dian Burkett and Richard Gladstone, Directors of Residential Services. 

During this 120-hour program, students will earn NADSP certified e-badges that will guide them in becoming compassionate caregivers and continuing the work of human services in New York State.  

“As our high school students begin their 120-hour work-based learning experience, they’re stepping into engaging settings that will broaden their skill set, grow their appreciation of diverse strengths, and help shape the inclusive mindset that today’s workforce thrives on,” said Jim Stock, Assistant Director of Talent, Development, and Engagement.  

This project is supported by Bridget; Jim; Laura Franzen, Assistant Director of Employment Services; and Jana Lichtenthal, Senior Employee Training Specialist.