Heart to Serve: Turning Gratitude into Everyday Action

DIRECTOR’S CORNER
Heart to Serve: Appreciation in Action

November brings cooler weather and a natural focus on gratitude. As DSPs and case managers, you already live out a heart to serve every single day. You notice when a customer needs extra patience. You celebrate small wins. You show up even when the work is hard.

This month's article is about expressing that gratitude out loud, not just feeling it quietly. When you tell customers what you appreciate about them, it strengthens trust and reminds them they matter. Thank you for the care you bring to this work, especially in the small, everyday moments that often go unseen. Your dedication makes all the difference.

Travis Toedtemeier
Founder/Director

NOVEMBER’S QUOTE
Theme: Heart to Serve

NEWS AND HAPPENINGS
Our Lane County Connections Specialists at Get Air

Our Lane County Connection Specialist team who attended a recent customer event at Get Air in Eugene. Thank you to all the customers, DSPs, and their family who came out and joined the fun. We love the opportunity to connect with the people we serve and meet them face to face.

UPCOMING EVENTS
So Much Holiday Fun For All! 

Please join us as we walk, talk, and make new friends. Our Lane County walking group will meet monthly beginning on Monday, September 22nd. Location may vary. Please RSVP to [email protected] or 971-266-2866. All abilities are welcome to join the fun.

VALUES IN ACTION

Serve From the Heart: Appreciation Customers Can Feel

November is a natural time to think about gratitude, but for DSPs and case managers, gratitude is more than a seasonal feeling. It's a practical tool for building stronger relationships with the customers you support. You spend more time with them than almost anyone else. You see their humor, their resilience, their quirks, and their quiet strengths. When you notice those things out loud, it matters. This month, here are practical ways to turn gratitude into something customers can actually experience.

1. Reflect on What You Appreciate About Each Customer

Tip: Take a few moments to intentionally think about each customer's strengths, personality, and contributions.

How-to: Before your next shift or visit, ask yourself: What do I genuinely enjoy about this person? What makes them unique? It might be their sense of humor, their patience, their curiosity, or how they handle frustration. Write it down if it helps. Gratitude starts with noticing, and once you start looking for the good in someone, you naturally show up with more warmth and respect.

2. Say It Out Loud

Tip: Don't keep your appreciation to yourself. Share it directly with customers.

How-to: Use specific, sincere language. Instead of "You're great," try: "I love how you always greet me with a smile" or "You were really patient today, that was impressive." Keep it simple, honest, and personal. For some customers, hearing that they're valued may be rare. A few words can stick with them longer than you realize.

3. Recognize the Quiet Ones

Tip: Pay special attention to customers who are often overlooked because they don't demand attention.

How-to: Make a point to engage with quieter individuals. Ask about their day, notice small changes or accomplishments, and acknowledge their presence. A simple "I'm glad you're here" or "I noticed you helped clean up today, thank you" can mean more than you know. The customers who don't speak up are often the ones who need to hear it most.

4. Celebrate Wins (Big and Small)

Tip: Acknowledge progress, effort, and everyday victories.

How-to: Did a customer try something new? Handle a stressful moment well? Show kindness to someone else? Celebrate it. A high-five, a kind word, or a quick note can reinforce that their effort matters. Don't wait for major milestones. Small wins count, and noticing them shows you're paying attention.

5. Model Gratitude in Your Interactions

Tip: Let gratitude shape how you speak, respond, and engage throughout the day.

How-to: Say "thank you" often, not just for big things, but for cooperation, patience, and small acts of kindness. Let customers see you express appreciation to others, too. Gratitude is contagious. When customers experience it from you, they're more likely to reflect it back to others.

You already show gratitude in your work every day through patience, presence, and the countless small ways you support your customers. This Thanksgiving season is a chance to be even more intentional about it. The people you support have strengths worth recognizing: humor, resilience, creativity, and kindness. You're often the one who sees them most clearly. By reflecting on what you appreciate, saying it out loud, and celebrating small wins, you remind customers that they matter. Let's make November a month where no one feels invisible.

SUNSHINE AWARD
Monique

What was the best part about working with CNW?

“The people. The people you guys all know what you are doing...we went through some tough times, but we did good, we made it through, and overcame a lot together. We accomplished a lot together!”

Do you have pets, and if so, what are their names:

“I do! They're my babies! I have a dog, her name is Kalani, and cat, her name is Lavender.”

What is your favorite comfort food?

“Ice Cream, the Strawberry Cheesecake kind!”

Monique, you have shown extraordinary resilience in the face of adversity, displaying considerable grace, empathy, and self advocacy, all of which has led you on a journey to independence in your finances as well as finally obtaining your own apartment in a supported independent living program. While this transition means we will no longer be able to provide you with DSP services, it has been an honor to be a supporting presence in your life, and we are very excited to offer you this award as a parting reminder of how amazing and strong you are!🌞

DSP OF THE MONTH
Tony

What do you like about working as a DSP?

"Helping my customer get out of bed and live their life.”

 If you could instantly master one skill, what would it be?

"The ability to master other languages."

 What's your favorite comfort food?

"Sushi.”

FEATURED NEW HIRE
Trisha

What are you looking forward to most about working at Connections NW? 

“Assisting individuals to live their best life and being able to be a part of their development.” 

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

“I would eat sushi for an entire month.”

Welcome, Trisha! We are glad you joined us. 

QUARTERLY CONTEST
Celebrate Gratitude With Joy Jars 🍂 

🏆 Quarterly Contest: The Joy Jar Challenge

This season, we're celebrating joy in everyday moments! The Joy Jar Challenge runs from October through December and is simple and meaningful for everyone. Each week, write down or capture one small thing that made you smile—a funny moment, a calm afternoon, a success in daily life, or just time spent together.

If a customer is nonverbal, DSPs are encouraged to help by writing down or describing some of the customer's favorite moments or things that brought joy.

At the end of December, you'll choose one favorite memory or photo to share with us. Here's how to enter:

1. Optional: Decorate or select a jar or box together with your customer to collect joy moments throughout the season.

2. Each week from October through December, write down moments of joy on small pieces of paper and add them to your jar (or collect photos if you prefer).

3. At the end of December, choose your favorite Joy Jar entry.

4. Send an email to [email protected] by December 31st.

5. Make sure to include your full name and the name of the customer (if applicable).

6. Share your favorite joy moment! You can send: a photo of a joy moment, a short description of what brought joy, or even a picture of the joy jar you made together.

 🎉🎉🎉🎉 You could win a $50 Visa gift card! 🎉🎉🎉🎉

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 entries and choosing her favorites.

Winners will be announced and featured in the January 2026 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.