At Sunrise Community, we believe our Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) are the heart of the work we do. Every day, they show up with compassion, patience, and dedication—supporting persons with intellectual and developmental disabilities to live valued, meaningful lives.
This year, we were proud to nominate several outstanding DSPs for the 2026 ANCOR Direct Support Professional of the Year Awards. Although award recipients are limited each year, earning an ANCOR nomination is a powerful recognition of excellence and dedication in the field.
The 2026 awards cycle was one of the most competitive yet, with more than 550 nominations submitted nationwide and only 57 honorees selected. In a field filled with exceptional professionals, having a DSP recognized through nomination speaks volumes about their impact, commitment, and excellence.
We are proud to recognize the following Sunrise Community DSPs for their dedication and service:
- Adeyinka Onakoya – IA
- Janeen Young- IA
- Nyteika Payne-IA
- Jackie Taitague- CT
- Justine Lamarrie – FL
- Quetta Jean Charles- FL
- Margot Huckaby – VA
Each of these professionals goes above and beyond in their role, supporting independence, building meaningful relationships, and advocating for the people they support. Their work does not go unnoticed, and their contributions make a lasting difference every single day!
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to all of our DSPs for the compassion and professionalism they bring to Sunrise Community. Your dedication strengthens our mission and enriches the lives of the people we serve.
Congratulations to each of you on this well-deserved recognition. We are incredibly proud!
