While growing up on the Lower East Side of Manhattan, David McCall saw nothing unusual about hanging out with neighbors from his apartment building who happened to have developmental disabilities.

“I’d join them at backyard barbecues and holiday parties,” McCall, 22, remembers. “I was comfortable being with them – it was normal.”

Little did McCall know then that, his childhood experiences would one day serve as a valuable foundation for his future career. Today, McCall works at the YAI Network’s Glen Cove Residence as an Assistant Supervisor, supporting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.

McCall is among New York State’s 75,000 workers – known as Direct Service Professionals (DSP) – who are enhancing the lives of people with developmental disabilities. This week, during the official “National Direct Service Professionals Recognition Week,” we celebrate the dedication of all DSPs who tirelessly work in the service of others. 

McCall says that helping people has always come naturally to him. Whether checking in on his parents (both of whom are deaf), looking after his grandmother and younger sister, with whom he lives in Elmont, N.Y., or working as a volunteer firefighter, much of his time is spent focused on others. This has helped cultivate McCall’s calming, take-control personality that makes him so effective in his work with the YAI Network.

“This job is so much richer than I ever could have imagined,” said McCall, who is pursuing a dual bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology. He initially thought about becoming a doctor, but working at the YAI Network has changed his education and career path. McCall’s mantra at the home is “it’s their lives and we have to let them live it. Our job is to assist them whenever they need it.”
 
“David is very dedicated, very focused and really has a great rapport with the residents, challenging them to do new and exciting things based on their preferences,” said Phil Sklaw, Senior Supervisor at the Glen Cove Residence.

McCall has developed a particularly strong relationship with Dave, an individual with autism who lives at the residence. In the beginning of their working relationship, Dave exhibited challenging behaviors when out in the community, and required significant support from staff.

With lots of practice, things have changed for Dave. “Recently I took Dave to an appointment and then we went grocery shopping together,” McCall says with pride. “Now, he asks me if we can buy certain items, rather than act impulsively. He sees that I trust him and give him the opportunity to get out more and more.”