Mainstream Living Celebrates Retro-Themed DSP Week 2025

Mainstream Living, Inc. celebrated its Direct Support Professionals (DSPs) September 7–13 with DSP Week 2025, a week-long appreciation event built around the theme “Heart, Soul, and DSPs since 1975.” The 1970s-inspired celebration paired the organization's 50th anniversary with a tribute to the frontline staff who provide daily care and support to the members Mainstream Living serves.

Planning for the celebration began weeks in advance, with team leaders and assistant team leaders across Ames and Des Moines writing personal, handwritten thank-you notes for every DSP on their team. Card-writing stations were set up in office lunchrooms throughout August. Each DSP's note was tucked into a goodie bag alongside a DSP Week t-shirt, retro sunglasses, and a printed schedule of the week's events.

Tie-dye stations were the centerpiece of the week, rotating daily across seven program sites in Ames and Des Moines so DSPs could bring their new shirts to life with color. Support services staff were on hand at each stop to provide dye, gloves, and supplies, and members were welcome to join in by tie-dyeing an item of their own. The week also featured two outdoor movie nights that brought staff, members, and their families together under the stars.  

Each day of DSP Week brought a new online activity carrying its own 1970s twist, each with gift card drawings for participants. Staff submitted their best retro-inspired selfies, nominated their favorite “groovy” songs for a DSP-curated playlist, competed in a retro gaming challenge, tested their knowledge with a 70s slang matching quiz, and recognized one another through peer shoutouts. Sites also competed in a door and workspace decorating contest, adding a playful, competitive element to the week's celebration.

“A personal thank you can go a long way in making someone feel seen and valued,” organizers wrote in kicking off the week's planning, a sentiment reflected throughout DSP Week's programming, from handwritten notes to shared meals to a week of celebration built entirely around the people who make Mainstream Living's mission possible.