EPI Celebrates DSP Week
Meet Jerome
ROCHESTER, NY, September 9, 2025 – Jerome Brooks has been working with EPI as a Direct Support Professional (DSP) for more than nine years. The Rochester native spent years as a full time cook at The Distillery Restaurant on Mt. Hope Ave. before a chance conversation with his roommate, Anthony, changed his career path.
“Anthony loved the work he did,” Jerome recalls, “and he thought it would be a good fit for my personality. I connected with EPI, interviewed, and nine years later, here I am, loving it!”
Monday through Friday, Jerome works with three men supported though EPI’s Day Habilitation program, a service that offers adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities opportunities to grow, learn, and interact with others.
Jerome and the guys he works with spend lots of time in the community, attending baseball games, fishing, going to movies, and spending the day in some of Rochester’s beautiful parks. He looks forward to their daily conversations and enjoys learning about their families, lives, and ambitions.
“I try to be as attentive as I can and really listen to what they have to say because I’m always learning something new from them,” he says.
Jerome says the most rewarding part of his job is that he gets to make people happy. Of course, some days are more challenging than others, but he feels it is important to keep the positive energy flowing and he does what he can to keep spirits lifted.
“I mean, not every day is full of laughs, but those moments are important too because they trust me to listen to what’s on their mind. It’s a privilege for me to be a sounding board for that.” Jerome points out that while it’s important to know the details of his job, it’s even more important for him to remain open and have a good heart. “It isn’t the kind of job where you punch in and punch out. It’s not for everyone, that’s for sure, but it works for me, and I am grateful for this opportunity.”
Jerome is one of hundreds of DSPs working with EPI to help make a difference for people in our community with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Each year in September, EPI recognizes the extraordinary work done by DSPs throughout the agency.
“DSPs are the backbone of our agency and play a critical role in making sure we accomplish our mission of empowering people with disabilities, neurological and chronic health conditions to pursue the life of their choosing,” says President and CEO, Jeff Sinsebox.
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