2018 DSP Week vol. 1 - Bren Lindemann

To celebrate Direct Support Professional (DSP) Week, each day we are highlighting a standout DSP employee from one of Imagine!’s several service departments.

The Out & About department of Imagine! offers therapeutic recreational services in the community to children and adults with developmental disabilities. Bren Lindemann is a therapeutic instructor for Out & About’s children’s activities, including the After School Program and Summer Camp. Their passionate and thoughtful approach to working with the kiddos has earned them today’s DSP spotlight.

Bren is close with younger brother, Andrew, who has autism and has attended Out & About since he was seven years old. When Andrew was in middle school, his teachers would send home his communication device with sticky notes on it, asking if Bren could add certain words or phrases to the device for Andrew to use the next day. Bren was happy to do that and found it interesting. “Since then, I always thought ‘this is something I’d like to do, work with people with developmental disabilities,’” said Bren.

Bren (right) and their brother Andrew (left)

Bren just finished working their third Summer Camp and it is no surprise that they jumped into a leadership role this year. Bren was an in the field coordinator that supported new instructors and participants during the day to day activities.

“Their passion really shows while working with the kids and their attention to the kids’ needs is really amazing,” said Cassie Sowers, Out & About Children’s Program Coordinator.

Bren explains that patience is the primary lesson they have learned at Out & About. “Everyone operates at their own pace and we need to let them do so,” said Bren. “I’ve learned to adapt tasks or activities so that participants are happy and comfortable doing things they should be happy doing.”

Bren with Natalya, crawdad fishing during
Out & About Summer Camp. 

Bren is currently pursuing an associates degree in Sociology at Front Range Community College and plans to transfer to CSU Fort Collins and earn their bachelor's degree in Human Development and Family Studies.

“I don’t know exactly what I want to do, but I know that I want to work with kids with autism,” said Bren. “I love seeing them grow, learn new things, and build relationships with others.”

Thank you Bren for all do and your hard work at Out & About!