DSP of the Month: Toshia Lipps
Congratulations to Toshia Lipps March’s Direct Support Professional (DSP) of the Month!
Before becoming a DSP, Toshia was a General Manager at Little Caesars. Toshia stayed in the fast-food industry for many years and eventually decided it was time to follow her heart.
“I have always loved helping any and every one that I could,” Toshia said. “Growing up, my younger sister had autism and very bad seizures. She passed when she was nine years old. I always told myself that when I grew up, I wanted to be a person to help, take care of, and teach anyone that I could about developmental disabilities.”
Nearly two years ago, Toshia joined the Lodge Activity Center, a family-owned and operated activity day habilitation service center in Hamilton, as a DSP. Toshia said she absolutely loves what she does because she works with some of the most amazing people.
“The people I work with have so much love in their hearts and love what they’re doing as much as I do,” Toshia said. “I love going in every day and teaching the individuals I serve how to live life, how to strive, how to love, how to engage, and just how to have fun! I go into the Lodge every morning with a smile and positive attitude, and I can’t wait to get the day started. I try to make everything fun that we do. I love teaching those I serve how to take care of themselves, how to take care of their home, how to get a job, what to do if they’re having an interview, and how to dress for the interview. I have had so many amazing memories with just about every one of the individuals I serve. I love watching them smile. I love teaching them about the world. I love going to the grocery store with them and going out in the community with them! Watching the individuals I serve interact and have conversations with people in the community is so fulfilling! I think what some people don’t realize is that being a DSP is not just about teaching and engaging with those you serve. They teach us so much more! I come home every day learning something from one of them.”
Ceola Lockhart’s and her sister, Terry Keith, became acquainted with Toshia when Terry started attending the Lodge’s day program.
“Toshia is a very caring and loving staff member of The Lodge Activity Center,” Ceola said. “Toshia goes above and beyond for the individual’s she supports and serves. When my sister Terry began attending the Lodge’s day program, she had very limited verbal communication skills. Toshia and Celina Parker, owner of the Lodge, immediately implemented the use of ASL with Terry and now she uses this method to the best of her ability to communicate! Teaching Terry ASL made her feel included and part of the community at the Lodge. The use of ASL also helps Terry with daily life at home.”
Now Ceola said every day before leaving the house, Terry asks if Toshia will be at work.
“Terry enjoys spending time with Toshia and the other staff members,” Ceola said. “When Terry was hospitalized in December 2024, Toshia would send her videos to let her know that she was missed and cared about. This made Terry happy! The Lodge and its program are all about dignity and building each individual to be the best they can be, and I think Toshia embodies all of that every single day.”
Toshia said as soon as Terry began coming to the day program at the Lodge she felt a connection with her.
“I remember walking up to Terry and trying to get her to giggle and smile and she just wasn’t having it,” Toshia said. “After a couple days, I would go by teasing her and giggling with her and then eventually I began teaching her how to do different things such as play games, work with ‘math cubes,’ and ASL. Shortly after that, I became her driver! I would pick her up at her house in the a.m., take her to the Lodge, and in the p.m. I would take her back home. I would always ask her how her day was going, and she would tell me that she ate eggs and toast for breakfast, she had her hair brushed, her teeth brushed, and she had her dancing shoes on to go boogie down with me! No doubt she won my heart!”
In addition to all the wonderful memories Toshia has made with Terry, she said she has made it her mission to capture all the good memories at the Lodge through photography.
“I am the picture taker At The Lodge,” Toshia said. “I told Celina that I’m going to capture all the good memories, and she looked at me with the biggest smile on her face! The love we have for the clients we serve is unconditional. I always giggle and I ask myself am I really getting paid to do this. There are days when being a DSP can be hard, but regardless of the challenges I look forward to it every single day. God has sincerely blessed me. I have an amazing work team, and I have some amazing bosses. We are one big happy family! We come in every day ready to do what we have to do. We treat each and every one of the individuals we serve like we would want someone to treat one of our family members or one of us.”
Do you know an amazing DSP who deserves to be recognized for everything they do? Nominate them below! Nominations for April’s DSP of the Month are due by Friday, April 4.