Ana M Riascos
Ana Riascos is a dedicated home trainer at St Francis Ministries, where she works closely with adults who have mental and physical disabilities, helping them build independence in their daily lives. In her role, she provides hands-on support with essential life skills, including organization, medication routines, and personal care, while also managing documentation and care coordination. Her work reflects a deep commitment to empowering individuals to live independently and maintain dignity outside of institutional settings.
Riascos’s professional journey is shaped by a diverse background that spans business, community leadership, and caregiving. She earned an Associate of Arts in Business Administration from Pearl River Community College and is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in psychology at William Carey University. Earlier in her career, she worked in banking and later founded and operated her own small business, gaining experience in construction, retail, and sales. She has also been actively involved in her community through leadership roles in a local soccer club and participation in homeschooling initiatives, demonstrating a long-standing dedication to service and mentorship.
Inspired by personal experiences caring for a family member with dementia, Riascos developed a passion for supporting individuals with special needs and has spent over a decade working in this field. Her approach is grounded in compassion, patience, and a belief in each person’s ability to grow and thrive with the right support. As she continues her education, she aims to expand her impact by transitioning into a psychology-focused career, where she can address not only the physical but also the mental and emotional needs of those she serves.
• Pearl River Community College- A.A.S.
• Alpha Chi National College Honor Society
• Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society
• Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus
• Ladies Auxiliary of the Knights of Columbus
• Homeschooling Projects and Clubs
• Soccer Club Coaching
What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the support I have. I have the support of my mom and the support of my husband - he's always been there holding my hand and saying, yes, you can. And of course, I cannot leave out God, because without Him, I would not have nothing. What really helped me shape my journey was my interactions with people with disabilities. It just changed my life. And, of course, my grandmother, when she suffered dementia, it changed me and shook me in a different way. I became more aware of a lot of things. These experiences made me want to do more for people with disabilities because I saw how people treat them differently, sometimes they ignore them, and people don't understand them as well as we think we do.
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
Never to give up. You know, because sometimes you want to give up, but there is always a way out. Never give up.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
A core challenge in this field is the ongoing misunderstanding and unequal treatment of individuals with disabilities, which can limit their opportunities for independence and inclusion. At the same time, there is a strong opportunity to improve public awareness and strengthen community support systems so that adults with special needs are treated with greater dignity, understanding, and access to resources.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
In my work, what's most important to me is helping people with disabilities learn to be independent and making sure people understand them better. I saw how people treat them differently, sometimes they ignore them, and that made me want to do more for them because people don't understand them as well as we think we do. It's not only disabilities - I work with special needs, people with disabilities, mental and physical. In my personal life, my hobbies are crocheting and gardening and taking care of my pets. I love my animals.