David Oruko finds great joy in providing new possibilities to people who find some of life’s simplest tasks difficult — like how to feed or dress oneself. Oruko works as a house manager at a group home for Mosaic in Delaware, a holistic healthcare provider that serves people with developmental disabilities, mental and behavioral health needs and autism.
Staff and program participants say not a day goes by that they are not immensely grateful for the tireless effort Oruko puts forth toward making each Mosaic resident feel cared for, respected and more independent.
Selected from nearly 350 people nominated nationally, Oruko was recently named the Direct Support Professional of the Year for Delaware.
Families of residents say they are truly blessed to have someone as compassionate as Oruko care for their loved ones. Parents of adult children in the Mosaic home managed by Oruko are often surprised to see their children learning to do things they never thought they could. One parent said David positively changed not only her life, but the life of her son by teaching her son to do things for himself such as putting together a grocery list, learning to shave, and do laundry.
“I help them manage many day-to-day responsibilities that you and I take for granted. But then they go to work, they go to senior centers or other programs, just like you and me,” said Oruko.
“Priceless fulfillment” is what David Oruko said he gains by helping others and seeing them smile through his work as an award-winning direct support professional (DSP) at Mosaic. “Initially this used to be a job,” Oruko said. “But now it’s just a part of my life. The individuals have given me so much that I consider them to be part of my family.”
