Having spent much of her career working with Rise, Becky Rother has supported the extraordinary accomplishments of the people we serve, which after two decades working at Rise, is what she continues to call the most rewarding aspect of her job. “Seeing people we serve thrive and achieve their goals
Story #11 – Shawn Lovejoy
Shawn Lovejoy’s booming voice can be heard over the hum of Rise’s Spring Lake Park production floor. But perhaps even more notable than his boisterous vocals are his strong work ethic and personality.
He came to Rise in 2004 where he collects and recycles cardboard and works on a variety
Story #10 – Jean Achicha
Jean Achicha is three months into a new job at Champlin Shores Retirement Community in Champlin, Minn. He works as a dishwasher, but his duties go far beyond that. Most days you will find him diligently helping in the kitchen where he also plates residents’ food, organizes kitchen items and
Story #9 – Stacy Gross, Rise Art Therapist
Rise Art Therapist Stacy Gross believes she was destined to work at Rise. Her gift since a young age has been an ability to bring out personalities of people.
She does that each day through Art Speaks, our art therapy program. A licensed art therapist, Gross supports people who are
Story #8 – The Welsch Family
Ed Welsch recalls trips with his parents to the Cambridge State Hospital where the family would visit his sister, Patty Welsch.
Her family made a difficult decision to move Patty, who has an intellectual disability, to the Cambridge hospital when she was 12 years old, expecting her to receive support.
Story #7 – Latrice Sinclair
Latrice Sinclair’s work experience has landed her a permanent position!
Sinclair began at La Creche Early Childhood Center in Minneapolis on a work experience program arranged through Rise’s Pre-Employment Transition Services program. Rise is a participating agency in the national program, created to connect youth and people who have significant
Story #6 – Shawna Markley
Shawna Markley’s Rise supports have given her 20 years of memorable experiences. Currently served at our Crystal, Minn. location, Markley is a popular and friendly person to people served and staff. She is passionate about relationships, and she values the friendships she has made through the years.
Rise team members
Story #5 – Katie Whiteford
Rise Direct Support Professional (DSP) Katie Whiteford spends her days assisting people she supports due to their intellectual and physical challenges.
For more than 20 years, she has brought an innovative, compassionate and person-centered approach as she supports a team of workers at Spring Lake Park, focusing on skill-building, training
Story #4 – Lynn Noren
Lynn Noren joined Rise in 1979 as an intern who wanted to support people living with disabilities and other challenges as they sought out new opportunities for personal and professional growth. She came during a time of innovation and Rise was at the forefront.
“There weren’t programs like Rise. So,
Story #3 – Juliana Korkor
Juliana Korkor has happily spent more of her time working these past few months. Juliana recently took on a new housekeeping position at a Woodbury senior living community. Obtaining this full-time position is a personal and professional milestone in Juliana’s journey.
She came to Woodbury from Ghana with family in