Tia started at the Advocacy and Resource Center in December 2025 and quickly found that the relationships she builds with the people she supports are one of the best parts of being a Direct Support Professional.
Tia grew up outside of Utica and came to the Plattsburgh area for college, initially planning to pursue speech-language pathology. As her plans changed, she began looking for a different career path. She had heard about the agency and its residential services from a former roommate and, after hearing good things, decided to give it a try.
She started at Mason Street before transferring to Woodwinds, where she works today. One of her favorite parts of the job is simply spending time with the people she supports.
“I’m always busy, but it doesn’t feel like work,” Tia said. “It feels like a second home sometimes, and I hope I make them feel like this is their home.”
Tia especially enjoys the humor that develops over time. She has learned that even people who do not communicate in traditional ways can still share a joke, a smile and some laughs.
One of Tia’s favorite memories comes from her time at Mason Street, where she built a close relationship with one of the people she supported. She remembers encouraging him to use good manners and eventually hearing him say “excuse me” after a burp, a small moment that stuck with her.
Her experience as a DSP has also taught Tia lessons she did not expect. While she always considered herself a patient person, she says the job has helped her develop even more patience and a better understanding of what other people may be experiencing.
“I would say my biggest strength is my work ethic and trying to be proactive,” she said. “The squeaky wheel gets the oil. Sometimes I need to be annoying to advocate for others.”
That willingness to speak up has also been encouraged by the people Tia has worked with since joining ARC. Cathy Sterling encouraged her to advocate for herself and helped her learn who to turn to when she needed support. Her supervisor, Ashley McNeil, has also been an important influence.
“Ashley is very calm in the way she goes about things,” Tia said. “She’s very low pressure but also has expectations. She’s a hoot and a holler.”
Outside of work, Tia enjoys reading, especially Stephen King, and spending time creating art. She would love to improve her painting skills and learn more about realistic painting. She is also hoping to pick up embroidery. Her interests also reflect a long-standing love of being outdoors.
When she was 12, Tia says she probably would have chosen a job in a national park or somewhere surrounded by nature. Looking back at the person she was at 12, Tia thinks that younger version of herself would be proud of who she has become.
“I think she would say I’m pretty cool,” she said.
If given the chance to pick up a microphone, Tia’s go-to karaoke song is “Ironic” by Alanis Morissette. At work, her drink of choice is a Celsius Wild Berry.
For anyone considering becoming a DSP, Tia has simple advice: know yourself, ask for what you need and do not be afraid to advocate for yourself.
