September 14, 2026
Happy Direct Support Professional Recognition Week!
At St.Amant, over 1,000 Direct Support Professionals work tirelessly to make a difference in the lives of the people they support each day. They are everyday advocates and frontline champions, bringing joy, connection, and a deep sense of trust to the relationships they build.
In honour of DSP Recognition Week, we will be highlighting some of the Direct Support Workers who work so hard to ensure that the people supported by St.Amant live fulfilling lives. Krystyna joined the St.Amant family in 2023, bringing with her heart, empathy, and a genuine desire to make a difference.
I’ve been a Direct Support Professional at St.Amant since September 2023, and it’s hard to believe that three years have already gone by.
When I came to Canada from Ukraine, I was starting a completely new chapter in my life. About a month after I arrived, I met my neighbour, who offered me a job as a respite worker with her children. I often say that my job found me.
I’m very grateful to her and her family for giving me my first opportunity and opening the door to this new path for me. I later completed professional training and applied to St.Amant. I was given the opportunity to join the team, and I’m very happy that one unexpected opportunity brought me here.
I think people sometimes see this job as simply helping with meals, personal care, or everyday tasks, but it is so much more than that. It is about getting to know a person, understanding who they are, learning from each other, and supporting them through different stages of life. My philosophy is that every person can be a teacher. We all have something to learn from each other, and the people I support have taught me so much. The people I support have big hearts, so many life experiences, and so much to share. I feel very lucky to be part of their lives.
I believe this work is for someone with empathy and a genuine desire to care about other people. You don’t do this job just for a paycheck. You do it because you want to make a difference and be part of something bigger.
The most rewarding part of my job is the people I work with and the experiences we share. I don’t see support as something that goes only one way. The people I support have supported me too, and I’m very grateful for that.
When I came to Canada from Ukraine, so many things were new to me. Because of the people I support, I’ve experienced and understood parts of Canadian life and culture. They helped me feel more connected to the community and introduced me to experiences I might never have discovered on my own. Because of them, I’ve experienced so many things for the first time — ice fishing, hockey, baseball, and even wrestling.
I’ll always remember going to my first hockey game. I had never even been inside a hockey arena before and had only seen them in movies. I was so happy and overwhelmed that I cried. We were dancing and cheering, hoping to get noticed, and then we saw ourselves on the big screen. It was such a special memory.
That’s what I love about this work — sharing life experiences, discovering new things together, learning from each other, and creating memories.
For me, advocacy starts with remembering that the people we support have the same rights, choices, dignity, and freedom as everyone else. It is their life and their decisions. My role is to support them, not to make decisions for them.
I always try to understand what the person wants and how they want things to be done. I encourage them to speak for themselves and make their own choices. When someone cannot communicate their wishes independently, I have a responsibility to help make sure their voice is heard, and their rights are respected.
Advocacy can also mean speaking up when something doesn’t feel right or when someone’s needs or wishes are being overlooked. I’m not afraid to ask questions, raise concerns, or keep following up until the person gets the support they need.
Even the smallest wishes matter to me. I want the people I support to know that I’m on their side and that I’ll do my best to help them have the life and experiences they want.
I have so many favourite memories at St.Amant. For me, the best ones are the smiles, the laughter, and seeing someone happy or proud of something they have accomplished.
I’m very grateful for all the experiences people have shared with me and for allowing me to be part of their lives. Sometimes it’s a big event, and sometimes it’s just a small moment together, but those moments mean a lot to me.
I think these are the memories I will carry with me — the people, the smiles, and all the little moments we shared.
Krystyna, thank you for your dedication to quality care. Your commitment to kindness and compassion make a difference in the lives of the people you support. Today and every day, we celebrate you.
