Cooking on all burners

Kim and Bette in the kitchen.

Several years ago when Bette was looking for opportunities to earn some money, she and her Direct Support Professional, Kim, came up with the idea of catering small meetings and gatherings. It made a lot of sense. Bette enjoys cooking and using her iPad to get creative ideas for dishes and presentation. She also lives in one of Lakes Region Community Services’ residential homes where she has easy access to a full kitchen.

LRCS asked Bette and Kim to provide the meal at their monthly Board of Directors meeting and that has been a regular catering gig for Bette ever since. Board members are  impressed with the menu, food and presentation and everyone loves Bette’s lemon cookies!

Bette’s business has gotten great word of mouth advertising and her housemates enjoy helping out and taste testing. Bette’s friend Harvey and his staff, Kristen, also often help with the cooking. They have prepared meals for Family Resource Center programs and baked cookies and other snacks for community events, baby showers, graduation parties, etc. Kim and Bette plan menus, search Pinterest for new ideas, shop for ingredients, cook and deliver meals together. “People know about Bette and they keep her in mind when they have a need,” says Kim.

LRCS helps people access and maintain employment and learn the life skills they need to live as independently as possible.

September 8 is Yellow Flag DSP Appreciation Day in New Hampshire. DSPs like Kim are being recognized for the essential work they do connecting individuals with disabilities to their communities and supporting them in achieving their goals and dreams. More than 1,000 Yellow Flags are flying to represent the many dedicated and committed Direct Support Professionals who proudly serve citizens with disabilities in our state.

Comments, questions, and ideas for future blog posts can be sent to: Joanne Piper Lang, LRCS Director of Development and PR at joanne.lang@lrcs.org