Michelle Chu is a seasoned program and community builder with over a decade of dedication towards fostering inclusion and connecting people to essential resources. Currently, she works in the Community Connections department at Job Path, where her efforts are directed towards supporting adults with autism and other disabilities. Michelle plays an integral role in the Guac Committee, which stands for Growth, Unity, Accessibility, and Community, working tirelessly to create an inclusive workplace at Job Path. With a unique background in improvisational theater and extensive experience in tech and design operations, Michelle brings innovative approaches to her social work, making people feel understood and encouraging community growth.
Episode Summary:
In this episode of DSP Talk, host Asheley Blaise speaks with Michelle Chu, an extraordinary program builder dedicated to supporting adults with autism and other disabilities at Job Path. Michelle delves into her role as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) and shares her unique perspective, incorporating her background in improvisational theater into her social work. The conversation explores Michelle’s innovative approaches to community building and the impact of fostering inclusivity in workplaces, setting the tone for a thought-provoking discussion on the challenges and rewards of being a DSP.
Michelle insights reveal the emotional depth and commitment required in the DSP role, describing it as more than just a job, but a vocation filled with meaningful connections and personal growth. The episode uncovers both the rewarding experiences and the challenges faced by DSPs, highlighting Michelle's creative solutions, such as adapting games like Uno to assist participants in expressing their emotions. Throughout the podcast, valuable keywords such as "fostering inclusion," "creative expression," "emotional connection," and "community growth" echo the essence of Michelle's impactful work. Her ability to transform daily interactions into profound experiences underpins the core theme of the episode, focusing strongly on empowerment and self-direction within the communities she supports.
Key Takeaways:
Notable Quotes:
Resources:
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
On Purpose with Jay Shetty
I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
What Are We Even Doing? with Kyle MacLachlan
Join award-winning actor and social media madman Kyle MacLachlan on “What Are We Even Doing,” where he sits down with Millennial and Gen Z actors, musicians, artists, and content creators to share stories about the entertainment industry past, present, and future. Kyle and his guests will talk shop, compare notes on life, and generally be weird together. In a good way. Their conversations will resonate with listeners of any age whose interests lie in television & film, music, art, or pop culture.