Heart to Serve: Mindful Support in May

DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Mental Health Month May: A Mindful Heart to Serve

This Memorial Day, we pause to remember those who gave their lives in service. It’s a powerful reminder that service is an act of strength—and heart.

In our work, “heart to serve” means being present with people in their most vulnerable moments. But to serve others well, we must also tend to our own mental and emotional health. As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to practice grounding, rest, and reflection.

By caring for your own well-being, you are better equipped to bring steady, compassionate support to those who depend on you.

Travis Toedtemeier
Founder/Director

MAY’S QUOTE
Theme: Heart to Serve

UPCOMING EVENTS
Let Us Treat You to a Ballgame! 

Please save the date for an upcoming Lane County community event on May 21st!

Connections NW would like to invite our customers, DSP's family, and the Lane County IDD community to join us for an afternoon of fun at a Eugene Emeralds baseball game. Connections NW will be sponsoring ticket entry for all members of the IDD community.  We look forward to seeing you there!  RSVP is not necessary. The Eugene Emeralds stadium is located at 2760 Martin Luther King Jr Blvd. Eugene, OR 97401. Nearby parking is free.

Connections NW’s Annual Summer BBQ’s in Bend and Eugene Are Almost Here!

Our Deschutes County customers, DSP's, family, and friends are invited to Connections NW's annual summer BBQ.  This event is coming up fast, so save the date and come on out and join the fun.  The admin team from our home office will be onsite and are looking forward to meeting you! May 17th from 11:30am - 2:00pm in Bend.

Customers, DSPs, families, and friends in Lane County—you’re invited to join us for Connections NW’s summer BBQ celebration! We’re excited to gather with you for an afternoon of good food, connection, and community fun. Members of our home office admin team will be attending and can’t wait to see you there, so mark your calendar and come enjoy the day with us! June 14th from 1:30pm - 4:30pm in Eugene.

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
CNW Sponsors the 8th Annual Breaking Barriers Conference in Deschutes County

Connections NW sponsored and participated in the 8th Annual Breaking Barriers Conference in Deschutes County. This annual event is put on by the Central Oregon Disability Services Network.  www.codsn.org 

With over 600 people in attendance, including 75 amazing vendors and exhibitors, this was one of the biggest and most impactful events for area customers, families, and DSP's.  Jennifer was onsite and happy to meet with several of Connections NW's customers and DSP's and talk with people about the services we offer in Deschutes County.

VALUES IN ACTION
Heart to Serve: Mindful Support in Spring

In a field built on compassion, service, and emotional presence, the heart to serve is what sets our team apart. But even the most dedicated hearts need rest, care, and support. May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a powerful reminder that well-being matters for both the individuals we serve and the professionals who support them. Stress is part of life, especially in direct care, but burnout doesn’t have to be. With small, consistent strategies, DSPs (Direct Support Professionals) and case managers can create a culture of calm, resilience, and shared emotional health. Here’s how to support both your customers and yourself this spring.

1. Prioritize Short Breaks

• Tip: Brief moments of pause during the day can restore energy and emotional clarity.

• How-to: Encourage customers to take “brain breaks” throughout the day, and model it by taking your own. Use a timer, go for a quick walk, or take a moment in a quiet room when possible. Even 2–3 minutes of stepping away can help reset your mind and body.

• Heart to Serve Focus: Taking care of your own energy allows you to serve others with greater calm, clarity, and kindness.

2. Practice One-Minute Mindfulness

• Tip: Mindfulness doesn’t require a quiet room or lots of time—it can be brief and effective in any setting.

• How-to: Pause for one minute to take three slow, deep breaths. Name one thing you can see, hear, and feel. Invite your customer to try this with you during transitions or after a stressful moment. Keep a “calm cue card” with simple grounding steps on hand.

• Heart to Serve Focus: These small pauses help both staff and customers return to the moment with steadiness and support.

3. Watch for Stress Signals

• Tip: Stress often shows up in subtle ways before becoming overwhelming.

• How-to: Look for shifts in customer mood, energy level, or behavior—such as irritability, restlessness, or withdrawal. For yourself, pay attention to fatigue, frustration, or difficulty focusing. Use a simple 1–5 “how are you feeling?” scale as a daily check-in.

• Heart to Serve Focus: Early awareness creates space for care and calm before stress builds.

4. Create a Personal and Customer “Calm Plan”

• Tip: Having go-to tools ready makes it easier to respond to stress with intention.

• How-to: Work with customers to list a few favorite calming strategies—like music, a soft blanket, deep breathing, or a quiet space. Create one for yourself too: include a few grounding techniques, uplifting routines, or people you trust to talk to.

• Heart to Serve Focus: Having a plan empowers both staff and customers to manage stress with confidence and clarity.

5. Celebrate Effort and Small Wins

• Tip: Progress—no matter how small—deserves encouragement.

• How-to: Notice and affirm when customers try a new tool or manage a tough moment well. Track your own wins, too: getting through a long day, staying calm in a challenge, or remembering to pause before reacting. Recognize growth and effort—not just outcomes.

• Heart to Serve Focus: Encouragement builds resilience and shows that every step forward is worth honoring.

Conclusion

Having a heart to serve means showing up with compassion—even when days are busy or stress runs high. But sustaining that heart requires intention and care. This May, let’s honor Mental Health Awareness Month by nurturing emotional health—for our customers and ourselves. Through small daily practices like breaks, check-ins, and calm planning, we build a foundation of well-being that strengthens our ability to serve with steady, wholehearted care.

SUNSHINE AWARD
Billy

Here is a little something about Billy that his DSP wanted to share:

“Billy is really into fitness! He exercises nearly everyday. It is very important to him. On our meetings we go on walks by the river, trips to High Desert Mueseum, library visits and trips to McDonald's. He has been working really hard at his goals and stays positive!”

Here is a little that Billy wanted to share:

What do you like about working with your DSP?

“That they are a nice person and always willing to help.”

What is your favorite dessert?

“Chocolate and strawberry ice cream!”

Billy, we love your optimism and your dedication to fitness! Keep it up! 🌞🌻

DSP OF THE MONTH
Gabby

What do you like about working with Connections NW?

“CNW is flexible, and that is very important to me so I can pick up extra shifts. I also like that CNW understands there is also life outside of work.” 

What do you like about working with your customers?

“I like that I get to build with them. I ran into one of the kiddos out in public while he was with his friends and he said "Hey, that's my person". He doesn't say names but he has started calling me by my name. I love the family and the connections I am building.” 

What hobbies do you have?

“I collect vintage posters and album covers. I love the aesthetic.”  

What is your favorite comfort food?

“Crème of Wheat, but only how Mom makes it.” 

FEATURED NEW HIRE
Rayne

Here are a few questions we asked Rayne.

What are you looking forward to about working with us?
"I look forward to meeting and making connections with the ones I will be working with!”

If you could only eat one type of food for a month, what would it be?
"Pasta!"

Welcome, Rayne! We’re happy you joined us.

QUARTERLY CONTEST
Creativity is Fun!

Submit Your Entries for the Next Quarterly Contest!

Katie, our Referral Specialist, loves crocheting or listening to audiobooks with her dog curled up on her lap. She’s going to have so much fun looking at your pics and choosing her favorite.

The winner will get a $50 Visa gift card prize, and the winning pic will be featured in our July newsletter!

^{*No purchase necessary to win.}

WHAT DO YOU THINK?
We Want to Hear From You

GET PAID TO CARE FOR YOUR LOVED ONE
We Are Hiring!

Get Paid to Care For Your Loved One
At Connections NW, we believe the best care comes from those who know and love your loved one best—family members or trusted friends who truly understand their needs and routines.

With our Bring Your Own Caregiver program, family members or trusted friends can be paid to provide care. Our DSPs (caregivers) start at $24 per hour, with annual raises up to $26, plus full benefits and overtime.

Join the Bring Your Own Caregiver program and start now!

Become a DSP Today
If you have a passion for serving your community, Connections NW is looking for Direct Support Professionals. All our DSPs start at $24 per hour with raises each year up to $26.

Go to: https://connections-nw.org/careers to apply.