My name is Marie Figaro and I am proud to be a Direct Care Counselor. My work is personal, physical, and something I approach with passion. It is my profession, but it is also my calling.
This is not new work, I have made it a career for more than 20 years. Through it all, I have seen people come and go but my love for the people I support remains constant.
I have always enjoyed being around other people, so naturally I gravitated toward work that would allow me to help others directly. For me, there is no greater gift than being able to make a difference in someone’s life through inclusion and support. I got my start taking care of my Great Aunt and Grandmother, and that experience eventually led me to this career. Originally, I wanted to be a nurse but then I changed course and decided to go to school for social work.
Starting the Day with the People I Support
My day is both structured and open ended, familiar and surprising. It begins before I even arrive at work at a CP Unlimited residence in Brooklyn’s Flatbush neighborhood. I wake up thinking about the people I support and if they slept well and what they want to accomplish for the day. I might even remember that one of them has a birthday party to attend, and I’ll already be thinking about how much fun they will have.
During my commute, I am thinking about the people I support and what the day might bring. I always try to arrive earlier than my shift starts so I can spend a few extra minutes speaking with the overnight team for updates. One of my favorite moments is walking through the door in the morning and seeing the smiles on the faces of the people I support.
The brick apartments on Dorchester Road are seven stories tall and well kept. My agency has two apartments in the building, which operate as Individual Residential Alternatives (IRAs). They are built to be disability friendly with wider hallways, accessibility features, and comfortable furniture. In the apartment I work in, we support five adults with disabilities. The oldest is in his late 70s and the youngest is in his 30s.
Once everyone has been greeted and has breakfast, the morning routine begins. I help my guy with the physical movements involved in getting dressed while we talk about what the day has in store. Some of the individuals are picked up by CP Transport to go to a Day Habilitation program while others have an Access-A-Ride for medical appointments. Mornings can be busy and somewhat chaotic, but my team works together to keep everything moving with grace and tenderness.
Supporting Independence Beyond the Residence
For the past nine years, I have supported the people who currently live in this residence. I’ve lost count of how many people I have supported throughout my career, but every single person has taught me something and helped me grow as a care provider. I am grateful to each of them for the privilege of being their DCC and for allowing me to work alongside them as they pursue their goals and build more independent lives.
A big part of our work is helping the people we support stay connected to their community. We maintain an active schedule of community activities, especially on weekends. Movies, shopping, going out to eat, running errands and spending time with others are all part of our routine.
The people we support are at the center of those decisions. We want them to have a say in how they spend their time and what their days look like. Our neighborhood knows us, too. People recognize us when we are out in the community, which is something I appreciate because it makes our residence feel like part of the neighborhood.
There is usually something happening at home as well. We celebrate birthdays and holidays, have luau days, exercise together, dance, sing karaoke and make art. These activities may seem simple, but they create opportunities for the people we support to make choices, express themselves, spend time together and enjoy their home.
Wrapping Up a Shift and Looking Ahead
My shift usually runs from 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Unless I am scheduled for an evening shift, I wrap up my day by completing notes and updating the staff coming to take over. I know the evening team will carry things forward from there, with plenty of energy left in the house. Someone might be singing while dinner is being prepared, and everyone is looking forward to the meal. The evening team also helps with everyone’s nighttime routines, including bathing in our specialty tubs and showers.
On my way home, I think about what happened, what went well and what I can build on tomorrow. After more than 20 years in this field, I still remind myself how lucky I am to do this work. My colleagues and the families of the people I support often express their gratitude, and it means a lot to know that I have made a positive difference in someone’s day. But they have made just as much of a difference in my career.
I am also grateful to have spent so much of my career with CP Unlimited, an organization that provides the empowerment and resources we need to do this work well. Having that support allows us to focus on what matters most: helping the people we support live full, active and meaningful lives.
One more day done. My heart is full.
National Direct Support Professional (DSP) Recognition Week 2026 took place from September 13–19. Able News has covered the labor shortage of DSPs and efforts that have been made to draw more workers into the field.