Via celebrated National Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Recognition Week September 10-15. Each year, DSPs are celebrated across the country for the fantastic and often unsung work that they do each day to help those with disabilities.

This year, Via's DSPs were celebrated as Most Valuable Players (MVPs) for their hard work and dedication to Via participants and their families.

We asked our participants and families why their DSP was an MVP. Below are just a few of the many stories we received.

Please check out our social media pages to see more.

Throughout the week, Via's DSP enjoyed a special raffle of gift cards, baskets, and other items. In addition, each DSP received an Amazon gift card and a Via insulated tote bag.

This raffle wouldn't be possible without the support of many businesses and friends of Via. Thank you, Truist; Edge Restaurant; The Philadelphia Flyers; The Philadelphia Eagles; Putt U Miniature Golf; Chick-fil-A of Lower Nazareth; Red Robin Gourmet Burgers; The Rose Group; The Crayola Experience; The Restaurant Store; GIANT Food Stores; Dorney Park & Wildwater Kingdom; Wind Creek Bethlehem; Crayola; Kendra Scott; Wawa; The Lehigh Valley Zoo; Via Leadership Team; QVC; and Tony Rocco for donating items for the raffle.

Thank you to everyone who made our DSPs feel special all week long!

This month we also celebrated all of our employees during Via Employee Appreciation Month. Throughout the week of September 17th, employees participated in raffles, received a Via-branded insulated tote bag and an Amazon gift card, and were applauded on our social channels.

Nineteen employees were recognized for their 5,10,15, 35, and 40 milestone anniversaries. Each of them received a Via-branded clothing item and was featured on our social media pages.

Thank you to the PPL Foundation for awarding Via $20,000 for our Community Employment program.

PPL's generous grant will help people with disabilities prepare for, attain, and retain competitive integrated employment in our community. Competitive integrated employment is full- or part-time work at minimum wage or higher, with wages and benefits like those without disabilities performing the same work, and fully integrated with coworkers without disabilities.

Via is grateful to all our community partners that help us meet our mission. Check our website to view our business and foundation partners.