All of us at Rise extend our deepest sympathies to the family of Larry Pietrzak who died August 20. Larry had been a valued member of Rise’s Board of Directors since 1991, and through those many years, gave us countless hours of his vast financial knowledge and experience, as well
Where’s Jean?! Enjoying her well-deserved retirement!
Between greeting guests, answering the phones, and responding to people’s immediate needs, Receptionist Jean Stephenson was kept hopping at the front desk of Rise’s administrative offices in Spring Lake Park. Considered by Rise team members and the people we serve to be “the heart” of this office, it was a
ESR merges with Rise
Rise added 155 team members and began serving an additional 500 people this summer.
ESR, a nonprofit agency which provides services to people throughout Washington County, Minnesota, and St. Croix County, Wisconsin, officially became a subsidiary of Rise on July 1. The two agencies will transition into a full merger
Volunteer Haley Bremer offers yoga classes
With New Age music playing softly in the background, “yogis” Rachel (shown here) and Andrea joined Volunteer Haley Bremer for an hourlong yoga class. Using a soothing voice, Haley led the two women through stretches and poses specifically adapted to meet their individual needs and physical capabilities.
“It’s nice to
Bev Wolters thrives on the variety of volunteering projects
“I think variety is the spice of life for volunteering,” said Bev Wolters. “I really enjoy doing so many different kinds of things with different people and at different locations.”
Bev discovered a list of volunteer opportunities with Rise online in October 2016 and met with Volunteer Coordinator Zoe Leonard-Monrad
Mary Anderson culminates 40-plus career
For the past 40-plus years, Mary Anderson has devoted her professional career supporting people with disabilities. In her many different positions in Minnesota organizations, she has developed exemplary program services, advocated for systems change, served on local and statewide organizational boards and committees, and mentored many men and women.
In
Rise and Medtronic have enjoyed “a partnership that works!” for decades
Richard Gottier has no trouble getting in his daily 10,000 steps as he makes his way through the hallways of Medtronic’s Energy and Component Center (MECC) in Brooklyn Center. Once an hour, he makes the long trek to pick up finished products and take them to the shipping department.
Having
New Rise Board members bring expertise, enthusiasm
Rise is pleased to welcome three new community volunteers to its Board of Directors to serve three-year terms.
Patrick (Pat) Deeg of Deephaven said he was interested in serving Rise “because of the wide range of services and programs it offers people with disabilities or other life challenges. With such
Volunteer Kay Rosenthal assists people explore their creative sides
It all started with a “guest” presentation that she made with her friend and veteran Rise volunteer, Mary Jellison, to a group served in Rise’s Adult Day Program (ADP) back in April 2017. Kay Rosenthal demonstrated spinning natural fibers on her spinning wheel and they were an enthusiastic audience. Just
Melinda Dannley retires from 40-year career
Culminating 40-plus years of working with people who have disabilities, Melinda Dannley retires from Rise on June 1, as the director of Rise’s Community Integration and Life Enrichment programs.
“I’ve had a wonderful career,” Melinda said. “I have enjoyed building relationships with the people we serve, their families and supporters,