Zeney Assefa
Host Home Provider
Zeney Assefa has created a home where both of the women who live there are encouraged to make choices, build relationships, and actively participate in their community. One especially meaningful tradition is “Girls Day Mondays” — a weekly outing where the two women take turns choosing the activities and destinations, ensuring both have a genuine voice in how their time is spent. The home itself is warm and welcoming, truly centered around the interests and preferences of the people who live there.
Zeney goes above and beyond by building traditions and experiences that bring joy and connection into daily life. Girls Day Mondays has become a routine both women look forward to each week, and Zeney also plans frequent mountain trips and seasonal outings, including annual fall leaf-peeping adventures that have become a favorite. Rather than simply providing care, she intentionally creates opportunities for fun, friendship, and new experiences.
Zeney consistently encourages both women to express their opinions, make choices, and advocate for themselves — and, meaningfully, they have also learned to advocate for one another, developing a genuine friendship and choosing to spend their free time together. The home is structured in an apartment-style layout, with both women living downstairs with their own kitchenette, bathrooms, and living area, further promoting their independence.
The women Zeney supports are not simply housemates; they are close friends who have built a strong sense of community together. Zeney’s dedication to fostering inclusion, empowerment, friendship, and joy — and to helping the individuals she supports live meaningful, connected lives — makes her an outstanding nominee for Direct Service Professional of the Year.