Dungarvin Minnesota Direct Support Professional Wins ARRM Cares Award

Dungarvin Minnesota held a special luncheon and program last week to honor Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) Allison Eider and Thomas Kelley for being named a winner and finalist, respectively, in this year’s ARRM Cares and Rising Star awards. ARRM, the nonprofit Association of Residential Resources in Minnesota,) sponsors the annual awards to recognize outstanding professionals who support people with disabilities.

Seventy-seven people were nominated this year by organizations throughout Minnesota, and Allison is one of eight ARRM Cares winners ARRM selected from 14 finalists.

“The ARRM awards program is a way for us to celebrate the amazing things DSPs do all throughout the year, every single day; it’s really meant to recognize the best of the best,” said Anna Hegland, Dungarvin Senior Director and President of the ARRM Board of Directors, who presented during the luncheon/program last week.

Before Allison accepted the award, her supervisor, Robert Galovich, a Dungarvin Mental Health Program Director, spoke about her hard work, dedication and compassion supporting individuals in a Minnesota group home. “It’s a privilege to recognize her today because Allison doesn’t just come to work, she transforms lives,” he said. “She’s taken what could have been just a house and turned it into a true home. With consistency and care, she’s helped build routines and given people independence and pride.”

Congratulations, Allison! All of Dungarvin is proud of you and appreciates all you do to support people with disabilities.