Neighbor News
New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) Hosts 6th Annual Heroes Recognition Awards
Celebrating Direct Support Professionals Across NJ Who Are Making an Impact on the Intellectual & Developmental Disabilities Community
The New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) proudly hosted their 6th Annual Heroes Recognition Awards on Friday, September 19. Each year, this event honors Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) from across the state of New Jersey who are making a positive impact on the lives of their clients with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
“I am humbled and incredibly honored to recognize the true heroes of our field – our Direct Support Professionals,” said Libby Vinson, CEO of NJACP. “DSPs are the foundation of the community-based system of care in the IDD community – consistently demonstrating compassionate care, dedication and fostering independence to all those entrusted to their care. I extend my heartfelt gratitude and proudly congratulate each of these extraordinary DSPs for their compassion, professionalism and service to the IDD community!”
Each year, NJACP coordinates with its 75+ agency members to compile nominations for DSPs across the state of New Jersey who have consistently gone above and beyond their roles and responsibilities to deliver the highest quality of diligent care.
There were 32 individuals recognized in 2025 – this year’s Heroes Award honorees include:
- Jennifer Nye, 21 Plus, Inc.
- Kimberly Rothenbech, Abilities of Northwest NJ, Inc.
- Edgar Okumu, Alternatives Inc.
- Monica Santana, Avidd Community Services of NJ
- Moses Erigbe, Bancroft
- Erin Hollis, Beacon Specialized Living New Jersey, Inc.
- Joseph Gibbs, Caring Hands
- Frank Yeboah, Devereux NJ
- Mary DeLaOsa, Department for Persons with Disabilities (DPD), Diocese of Paterson
- Jeremiah Higgins, Dreams in Motion II
- Gbenga Alaba, Eden Autism Services
- Teresa Hernandez, Elwyn New Jersey
- Agnes Moitui, Everas Community Services
- Francesca Harice, Family Resource Network (FRN)
- Takeya Alford, Innovative Life of New Jersey
- Juanita Roberson, JESPY House
- Joan Carter, Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD)
- Porsche Laws, Kelsch Associates New Jersey
- Jala Jordan, Merakey
- Kingsley Okafor, The Midland School
- Da'Shaun Cooper, Miller Group Home
- Matthew Williams, National Institute for People with Disabilities of New Jersey (NIPD/NJ)
- Cindy Solis, New Jersey Institute for Disabilities (NJID)
- Janet Coleman, Oaks Integrated Care
- Carolyn Stewart, OTC Services
- Sahirah Mays, The P.I.L.O.T. Services
- Typhinia Fletcher, Quality Management Associates, Inc. (QMA)
- Mohammed Bakkar, ResCare New Jersey
- Mary Roberts, SERV Achievement Centers
- Zanna Brown, Spectrum360
- Brenda Daniel, Their Place
- Noel Gregory, WILO NJ
The 2025 Heroes Recognition Awards were made possible through the generous support of advertisers and the following businesses and organizations: Beacon Specialized Living New Jersey, Inc., Quality Management Associates, Inc. (QMA), Jewish Services for the Developmentally Disabled (JSDD), Eden Autism Services, Elwyn New Jersey, Everas Community Services, Oaks Integrated Care, SERV Achievement Centers, Dreams in Motion II, Kelsch Associates New Jersey and The P.I.L.O.T. Services.
For more information about NJACP and the 2025 Heroes Recognition Awards, visit: https://njacp.org/.
About The New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP):
For more than 25 years, the New Jersey Association of Community Providers (NJACP) has been assisting their member agencies as they provide quality support and services for individuals with intellectual and other developmental disabilities (IDD), such as Autism, Cerebral Palsy, traumatic brain injuries, communications impairments, vision and/or hearing impairments, medical conditions, physical disabilities and more. NJACP plays a crucial role in advocating for high standards and professionalism in the human services sector, particularly among community providers. With a network of more than 75 agency members who work daily to enhance the overall quality of life of all those they serve, NJACP offers a wide array of supportive services and guidance to agencies – championing for the rights and needs of providers, individuals and families who are part of the IDD community, while working to enhance the quality of services and care statewide. For more information, visit: https://njacp.org/.
