Larry Revels, North Carolina State Winner

(Shelby, NC) Humble and soft-spoken are not typical words that come to mind when picturing a Vietnam veteran. Then again, Community Support Specialist Larry Revels is not your typical direct support professional either.

Mr. Revels, an honor roll mathematics and chemistry graduate from the University of North Carolina at Pembroke and former chemist for the North Carolina state government, joined the ResCare team after being transferred to Shelby.

Four years ago, CNC/Access placed Mr. Revels with one of the most demanding and unpredictable young men that the operation had ever served. None of his previous caregivers were able to keep up with the young man’s behavior.

Before Mr. Revels came into his life, he lacked social skills, had a low self-esteem and poor dietary habits. He was also estranged from his family. Mr. Revels worked intensively with the young man to provide him with social and personal skills training.

Through Mr. Revel’s diligence and creativity, the young man connected to a network of friends through pool tournaments, fishing trips, bingo nights and a membership to the Moose Lodge. Mr. Revels also helped him reunite with his family, giving him more natural support and a place to spend the holidays.

Mr. Revels doesn’t look at his job as work though.

“It’s all natural to me,” he said. “I enjoy it so much, I would volunteer to do it if I could. I love to see how the people I support respond to me. It’s like I should have always been here.”

Mr. Revel’s supervisor, Program Manager Anne Odembo, was so impressed with his selfless and caring support that she nominated him for ANCOR’s Direct Support Professional of the Year award. In her nomination, she wrote, “Larry exhibits a passion and an unmatched zealousness for advocacy for the needs and rights of the folks we serve.”

Ms. Odembo notes that when asked why he has passed on so many other job opportunities, Mr. Revels gives a broad and almost shy smile, saying, “Because I want to make a difference in someone’s life, show them their future matters.”