Learn more about the ARRM Cares Award nominees from MORA!
2025 ARRM CARES AWARD WINNER!
Kim Sirek – DSP II at Birch Bluff
ARRM CARES
The ARRM Cares Award was established to recognize professionals who provide direct care and demonstrate a commitment to quality services.
All nominees are recognized and six winners are selected each year who represent outstanding and extraordinary dedication, innovation, and skill.
Kim’s Nomination Essay
Professional Integrity
Kim brings heart, dedication, and integrity to her role as a Direct Support Professional. She’s deeply committed to doing what’s right, especially when it comes to safety, inclusion, and honoring the voices of those she supports. A strong example is how she manages food allergies of the clients she serves not only researching safe options and educating coworkers but also involving individuals in menu planning because she knows it’s meaningful to them. She’s also incredibly mindful when exploring restaurant options, reviewing menus and helping clients make informed decisions about food-related outings. Whether it’s cleaning, grocery shopping, or assisting with daily routines, Kim steps in with a smile and a strong sense of purpose. She builds a warm, welcoming atmosphere that helps the group home feel like a true home. Her steady presence, kindness, and reliability uplift her coworkers and enhance the lives of those she supports. She leads by example, modeling compassion, respect, and professionalism in every interaction. Kim is someone both staff and clients can rely on, and that trust is a reflection of her unwavering integrity and commitment.
Networking Supports
Kim understands the importance of individuals feeling connected to their families, communities, and broader networks. She actively encourages people to participate in the world around them through accessible, everyday activities, such as daily living outings (grocery shopping or a Target run), local events they may not have experienced before, like a baseball game or cheer competition, or MORA recreation activities like bingo nights and the MN Zoomobile. What truly sets Kim apart is her strong advocacy for mental health and overall wellbeing. She draws from her personal network and personal experiences, including connections in the foster/adoption community, to help link people with trusted therapists, advocates, and other resources. She never hesitates to step in when someone needs extra support. Kim also works closely with families and encourages her coworkers to embrace a team-based, collaborative approach. Her goal is always to build lasting, sustainable supports that enhance people’s lives. Thanks to her efforts, those she serves feel more confident, better connected, and more empowered to grow.
Creative, Innovative, Person-Centered Approach to Services
Kim brings energy, creativity, and heart to every part of her work. From playing someone’s favorite playlist to organizing family-style meals to one-on-one, deeply meaningful chats, her approach is personal and intentional. She involves individuals in planning meals and activities and regularly checks in to ask what they’d like to change or keep the same about their home life. Kim tailors each experience to the interests and preferences of those she supports. Whether it’s bringing together a family-style dinner, organizing a cozy movie night, or trying a new recipe, her efforts help make the home feel vibrant, safe, and truly individualized. She’s also a leader in creating inclusive experiences, especially when it comes to food allergies. Kim has developed systems that help staff feel confident navigating safety concerns, and she shares her knowledge freely so everyone can enjoy outings without worry. Her creativity isn’t just about fun; it’s about dignity, autonomy, and joy. Kim’s person-centered approach supports not just daily care but a fulfilling, connected quality of life for every person she works with.
MORA nominees for 2025 ARRM Cares Awards
Boniface Diane
Boniface Diane, DSP at Plymouth Road Home
Boniface’s Nomination Essay
Professional Integrity
Boniface is an individual who continually goes above and beyond to display the utmost levels of professional excellence and integrity. Through day -to-day interactions, advocating for both client and staff needs, and supporting guardians in vulnerable times, Boniface shows up for each person through selfless acts of kindness and leadership. As the Lead Direct Support Professional Medical Specialist in the home, Boniface works with each person’s doctors to ensure they receive excellent care, and that continuity of care is carried out between day program and home. Boniface has been an excellent resource for new and oncoming staff to learn from, taking the initiative to train staff in correctly and answer questions as they arise. Additionally, Boniface is a continued support system for staff members, even after the initial orientation phase. He provides constructive feedback to staff, coaches them to grow and encourages everyone to be the best versions of themselves.
Networking Supports
Boniface takes pride in his work. Individuals served and their guardians turn to him for guidance and put their trust in him. By assisting individuals with connections for medical or behavioral resources, Boniface always provides genuine feedback and offers ways to connect people with support systems greater than the ones they already have. One individual Boniface works with is well known within the community due to their competitive employment. Their employment has created opportunities to regularly engage with those in the community and build relationships outside of those they live with. Boniface works with the employment service provider when there are changes to help ensure the individual continues to be as independent and successful as possible. Additionally, Boniface does an excellent job at assisting individuals with maintaining communications with their family members, assisting them on a regular basis dialing the phone, setting up and coordinating family visits and expanding relationships through community integration activities of the person’s choice.
Creative, Innovative, Person-Centered Approach to Services
Boniface ensures that individuals are heard, feel valued and know that they can approach him for support at any time. This support he offers has created an unbreakable team bond that the individuals are proud to be a part of. Furthermore, he has taken the reins on handling mental health/behavioral situations within the home and collaborated with MCCP to ensure the individuals of the home have new approaches to support them during the tough times. While collaborating with MCCP, Boniface has been stepping up to implement the new programs, while continuing to bring individuals to the places of their choice and celebrating the big (and small) wins with them. Boniface is a phenomenal employee, but his character alone speaks volumes and deserves to be recognized for all he has done and continues to do.
Josh Gysland
Josh Gysland, DSP, Glen Lake Home
Josh’s Nomination Essay
Professional Integrity
Josh, though newer to the team, has been a consistent key player in the lives of the individuals Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (MORA) serves. He supports the team with unwavering commitment and is always ready to jump in and support staff and clients, regardless of the reason. Josh is a strong advocate for the individuals living at the home he works at. Josh consistently focuses on doing the right thing when it comes to each person’s care or engagement and maintains a high standard of professional excellence while holding others accountable. He goes above and beyond even with basic tasks and effectively communicates with those around him. Josh does an excellent job of training new staff members into their roles so they can feel comfortable and competent as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) at the home.
Networking Supports
Josh continually offers ideas for additional supports that an individual could benefit from, as soon as he sees the need. Whether this be through extended guardian involvement or community supports, Josh offers creative suggestions to ensure that individuals are being supported both within the home and in the community. Although Josh’s primary role at the home is an overnight DSP, he regularly picks up day time shifts to help provide the staffing necessary for the individuals to get out into the community for activities, dining, and adventures. Josh continues to provide feedback on the highs and lows of each person’s experiences and advocates for them. He may provide community outing suggestions or guidance and alternative perspectives for opportunities that may need additional frame-working and supports prior to implementation.
Creative, Innovative, Person-Centered Approach to Services
Josh is tuned into each of the individuals he works with, paying attention to body language and knowing people’s baseline status. He goes above and beyond to help communicate the wants and needs of the individuals who cannot verbally advocate for themselves, ensuring that their needs are always met. He offers creative solutions to situations that are uncertain, and he provides honest feedback about things within the program that do and do not work in beneficial ways. Above all else, Josh ensures that the needs of the people MORA serves are met, through quality services that exceed the expectations of all. Josh has bettered the home he works at and is someone that can continually be relied upon to uplift the work environment, create a safe space for individuals to be themselves, and make a positive difference in the lives of many.
Robert Nyaoko
Robert Nyaoko, Program Coordinator, Cottage I & II
Robert’s Nomination Essay
Professional Integrity
Robert started working with Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (MORA) during the COVID pandemic. He was onboarded as a DHS Emergency staff floating between two of MORA’s programs that were struggling with staff shortages. Robert performed at a high level from the start, setting a high standard for other Direct Support Professionals (DSP). He is an excellent trainer, demonstrating the high standards MORA expects. Robert took the time to get to know each person, he learned how to meet their needs but also how to enrich their lives through things they enjoy. With nonverbal individuals, he could tell you their needs and wants by their expressions and mannerisms. Robert has many strengths, he is patient, kind, has a great sense of humor, and will do extra work to help the team, even without being asked. Robert recently transitioned to the role of Program Coordinator at one of our Intermediate Care Facilities (ICF) programs and is catching on quick. He works with the management, individuals served, site staff, and the IDT teams in a professional manner to make sure each individual is taken care of at the highest standards.
Networking Supports
Robert does a fantastic job making sure the individuals he supports are able to maintain the important relationships in their lives. If individuals ask to make a call to communicate with someone, he makes sure to assist them as needed to get this done. There are a few individuals that use facetime to stay connected to their family, and he helps ensure they are able to do this when they would like to.
Creative, Innovative, Person-Centered Approach to Services
Robert always has a smile on his face, a positive attitude, and a playful work ethic. You can feel the positive energy with individuals when he is working. At the beginning of each shift, he makes sure to say “good morning” or “Hi” to everyone when he walks in. He helps to ensure clients get to go out and enjoy the person-centered activities they enjoy. Recently, MORA hosted their spring formal dance that several individuals wanted to attend. Robert helped to get individuals dressed up, brought them to the event, and helped them participate in activities at the dance so that they were able to enjoy the night to the fullest. Robert is truly dedicated to the individuals he supports, ensuring they get the quality of care at the highest standards.
Nina Kayisanabo
Nina Kayisanabo, Youth Counselor, Bloomington Home
Nina’s Nomination Essay
Professional Integrity
Nina is kind and respectful to the individuals she works with and the other staff in the home. She leads by example and provides guidance to others as needed. At work, Nina always has an upbeat attitude and a smile on her face. This attitude creates a warm and comfortable working environment. Nina helps the individuals live happy and healthy lives by assisting with medical appointments and facilitating outings of their choice. Sometimes she helps to cover a gap on the schedule too which is impactful so that everyone gets quality care by staff they are familiar with. Nina is a staff that can be counted on to train new staff not only following 245D rules but also the high standards Mount Olivet Rolling Acres (MORA) has. Nina has built strong relationships with the individuals she serves and is able to help teach new employees how to be successful in their interactions with those at the home. Nina truly exemplifies the role of a DSP, ensuring the wants and needs of individuals are met so that they may live the most fulfilling lives.
Networking Supports
Nina is an incredible advocate for the individuals that she serves. For the individual she provides day services for, she helps to ensure that his entire team is kept in the loop with his day-to-day activities, medical changes, and overall wellness. Nina helped to get this individual connected with a local llama farm since they love animals so much. She assisted with setting up a schedule for regular visits but also helped create a partnership where they can visit anytime even when she isn’t working. Nina helps encourage and facilitate opportunities for individuals to spend time with their families. Even when it is last minute, she makes sure people are where they need to be. Recently she helped an individual navigate the local government center to get their passport with their mom and then out to lunch to spend the afternoon together.
Creative, Innovative, Person-Centered Approach to Services
Although Nina has been with MORA since 2021, she began her role as a 1:1 day services staff in 2024. Nina, along with the individual served work together to create a meaningful day to day schedule. This individual has a love for animals, so naturally most activities have animals in some component to them. They regularly spend time at the Arboretum, Petco, and the Minnesota or Como Zoo. Sometimes activities aren’t possible in their standard format, so Nina assists to modify the activity so the individual can be successful. They also spend time with local llamas, even getting to go into the pasture to pet them. Nina also assists with keeping the individual’s mental health in a good place by following programming and having quality communication with his parents, house nurse, and supervisor. Besides animal related outings, Nina helps facilitate other preferred activities like going for a walk, playing animals videos, and ensuring favorite treats are on hand. All of the different things listed are just a fraction of the support that Nina helps provide assisting this individual lead a stable and successful life.